Helsinki Vantaa Plaza Premium Lounge: Review & Tips (2026)

Northern Europe Travel: Finland's Helsinki Vantaa Airport

Plaza Premium Lounge Review

Text/Photos ©Hyibubu

For those embarking on a **Northern European adventure to Finland** or just passing through Helsinki on your way to other European destinations, you might be wondering how to make the most of your layover or extra time at the airport.

Especially with the famously high prices in Northern Europe, an airport lounge often offers surprising value for money.

Today, I'll be sharing my review of the **Plaza Premium Lounge located in the non-Schengen area of Vantaa Airport**!

Helsinki Vantaa Airport Lounge Information

The Plaza Premium Lounge is conveniently located after security control, near gates 34-40 in the non-Schengen area.

Operating hours are from 6 AM to 12 AM daily, except on Sundays when they open at 10 AM.

At Helsinki Vantaa Airport, you can enter the Plaza Premium Lounge using 'The Lounge' program or a PP Card.

If you don't have these benefits, you can also book your lounge access ticket separately below.

>> Book Vantaa Airport Lounge Access <<

Plaza Premium Lounge Location

Finding your way to the lounge is straightforward.

Just follow the signs for gates 40-49, as shown in the photos above, and you'll eventually spot a red lounge sign on the ceiling.

From there, turn right and you can either take the elevator or the stairs up to the 3rd floor, where the lounge awaits.

Inside the Plaza Premium Lounge

Upon arrival at the lounge entrance on the 3rd floor, simply present your access pass to the staff to enter. To your left is the VIP Lounge, and to your right is the main lounge.

I used my 'The Lounge' affiliated card to access the main lounge.

Near the lounge entrance on the right, you'll find a small table with charging capabilities and luggage lockers.

This area is a bit far from the food section, so it wasn't ideal for dining.

The lounge interior wasn't particularly spacious,

and it felt quite cozy, with everyone gathered close.

Even though it wasn't a peak time with many visitors,

finding a seat wasn't easy.

There were some single sofas perfect for a private moment,

and also several seats for groups.

The sofa seats looked incredibly comfortable,

but they were always occupied, being quite popular.

The seat I coveted most was a single one that offered a direct view of the airport runway.

It truly was the best seat, letting you soak in that Nordic vibe

right from the airport runway.

Quite uniquely, there was even a motion-activated,

interactive gaming machine installed.

Kids were absolutely loving it here,

having a blast playing games.

Lounge Food Selection

Next up, let's dive into the delicious food options available at the lounge!

The salad bar offered quite a diverse selection.

There was blueberry cake, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce,

corn, chili peppers, pasta, beans, and wheat salad.

And for dressing, they had one type: Thousand Island.

As it's a dressing I personally adore,

everything tasted fantastic with it!

The main course section was quite simple.

It basically consisted of stir-fried cauliflower, roasted potatoes,

braised chicken, and rice.

Perhaps that's why the chicken was incredibly popular!

Next to it, there was an array of seasonings, spices, and sauces.

Think Tabasco, seven different kinds of olive oil, salt, pepper,

ketchup, and so much more – a truly diverse selection!

For soup, there was just one option: lentil soup.

I had a feeling this one might be a bit polarizing.

For snacks, there were simple biscuits, nachos, various types of bread,

and fruits like apples.

Plus, they had plenty of onion flakes available.

The flakes were really great for adding a little extra crunch to your meal!

Next up, let's talk about the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages!

For beer, I got to try Karhu Beer, a popular Finnish

draft beer.

It was refreshing with a nice subtle bitterness – quite enjoyable!

They offered white, rosé, and red wines,

and perhaps because they were value-for-money wines, the taste was pretty decent.

You could easily get sparkling drinks and fruit juices

from the dispenser.

Personally, I found the sparkling options better than the fruit juices.

Finally, for coffee, you could brew yourself a filter coffee or

use the machine.

With latte milk and soy milk available next to it,

you can customize your coffee just the way you like!

While there weren't as many food options as I initially thought,

I still managed to load up my first plate with a variety of items.

The chicken was tender and flavorful, truly delicious,

and the salad with dressing or the whole wheat bread sandwich with flakes

were also not bad at all!

Now, here's a combination I absolutely recommend:

creating your own poke bowl with various ingredients.

Take the wheat salad, load it up with lettuce, corn, beans, nuts,

and plenty of onion flakes,

then drizzle it with Thousand Island dressing – it's incredibly delicious!

I think I ate at least three plates of this poke alone!

After finishing my meal, I enjoyed some nachos

with beer and wine.

Though I initially felt the menu wasn't super extensive,

creating my own poke bowl was incredibly tasty,

and with a refreshing beer to complement it, I was able to thoroughly

enjoy my meal and relaxation! It was such a satisfying experience!

A Haven to Relax in High-Priced Scandinavia: This Lounge is a Gem!

Today, I've shared my review of the Vantaa Airport Lounge, a perfect spot for those traveling to

Nordic Finland to visit one last time before their departure.

It was wonderful to sit in the plush, comfortable chairs and enjoy the last

views of Finland,

and surprisingly, the food and beer were delicious too!

Since Finland's prices are famously high,

and airport prices are astonishingly steep,

you might find it much better to enjoy unlimited food and

even beer at the lounge instead! It's a smart traveler's tip!