Finnair launches first refurbished Embraer cabin

Finnair has completed the first cabin refurbishment in its Embraer fleet as part of a broader initiative to increase passenger comfort on shorter European routes. With a target to renew all 12 Embraer aircraft by spring 2026, the airline plans to complete the updates on seven aircraft during the winter season 2024–2025, while the remaining five are set for upgrades in winter 2025–2026. These aircraft serve various destinations within Finland and across Europe, particularly on shorter routes through Northern and Central Europe.

The new Embraer cabin interiors are designed to complement the look and feel of Finnair's recently upgraded wide-body fleet and the new Schengen lounge at Helsinki Airport, creating a consistent experience across Finnair's network. “We wanted to create a harmonious, fresh and inviting travel environment for our customers, with dark blue and grey colours and a hint of wooden laminate – elements familiar from our long-haul aircraft,” says Eerika Enne, Finnair's Head of Inflight Customer Experience. This redesign aims to offer passengers a more relaxing and visually appealing travel environment, particularly on shorter flights.

Two types of new seats have been introduced in the refreshed cabins. Rows 1–9 provide additional comfort with enhanced cushioning and a slight recline feature, while rows 10 and beyond feature a fixed, non-reclining design. Although the seating layout remains unchanged with a total of 100 seats in the E190 model, the new seats are lighter, aiding in weight reduction for improved fuel efficiency. LED lighting has also been installed to enhance the in-cabin experience and align with the airline's sustainability focus.

Sustainability has been a key factor in the Embraer renewal project, with the primary goal of reducing aircraft weight to decrease fuel consumption and carbon emissions. According to Enne, “Both the Business Class seat and the Economy Class seat are lighter than the previous Embraer cabin seats, and also the cabin carpet is made of a lighter material than before. With these changes, we aim to reduce the weight of the aircraft by approximately 150 kg per aircraft.”

This reduction in weight is expected to have a significant impact on fuel efficiency, aligning with Finnair's commitment to more sustainable operations. Through these cabin upgrades, Finnair seeks to enhance passenger comfort and aesthetic appeal, while also addressing environmental goals.