Helsinki - Vantaa International Airport - HEL

Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport Address

Official Website

Their catchy motto "The Reason To Fly" is strongly felt by passengers making their way through the Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport. Staff are incredibly warm and caring towards customers. Stores and restaurants ensure passengers with long layovers have plenty to experience. The airport itself is designed to keep walks from one gate to another as short as possible. Passengers with long layovers should be aware that this is a non-smoking airport. There are eight air conditioned lounges for the smoker, however, so cigarette breaks shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport opened its doors in 1952 in the town Vantaa about twelve miles from Helsinki. By the year 2000, the airport was able to top ten million passengers in one year. While it is not among the world's busiest airports, it is considered one of the nicest and easiest to navigate. With only two terminals (Domestic and International), passengers should not have a hard time finding their gate. Renovations to the airport were completed in 2004 with a larger International Terminal and a brand new retail section to help reduce boredom during layovers. Some buildings may seem outdated from the outside, but inside the airport is full of modern conveniences and excellent technology ensuring speedy security inspections. Currently, the airport handles approximately twelve million passengers per year.

Directions

Those traveling north from Helsinki will find it easiest to take Highway 45 (Also referred to as Tuusulanvayla) north to the airport. When nearing the airport limits, signs are clear and easy to follow. Highway 45 or E75 (Also referred to as Lahdenvayla) run north/south and are the best routes from those heading south. As drivers near Vantaa, they should follow the airport signs.

Those coming from the west or east should take the E18 (Highway 50) to the airport limits and then follow airport signs. Exit ramps and turn-offs are well marked and shouldn't pose a problem.

Domestic Flight Terminal

Two levels form the Domestic Flight Terminal. The lower level handles all check-ins, arrivals and baggage claim and links to the International Flight Terminal via a long hallway. The general public is allowed in the lower level. Upstairs, Gates 11a, 11b and Gates 12 to 19 are found behind Departure Hall 1 along with a number of restaurants, shops, and the security checkpoints. Those not taking flights are limited to a small area of space upstairs right before security. Airlines serving the Domestic Flight Terminal include Aero Airlines, Blue1, Finnair, FinnComm, and Nordic Solutions/Air Aland. Garage P3 is located directly in front of the Domestic Flight Terminal.

International Flight Terminal

The International Flight Terminal contains the main level with the shopping areas (Avenue and Boulevard); Gates 21 to 33; Departure Halls 2, 3, and 4; three security checkpoints; and a number of airline lounges. The general public is only allowed before the security checkpoints. On the lower level is the Arrivals Hall 2 and 3 and Baggage Claim 2 and 3. Areas before the two Baggage Claims are open to the public. Below the Arrivals Hall level is a Service Floor that is accessible to the general public and has a few cafes, and has the automated parking machine for prepaying garage fees. Airlines flying to and from the International Flight Terminal include Aer Lingus, Aero Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Baltic, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air China, Air Finland, Air France, Alitalia, American Airlines, Atlasjet, Austrian Airlines, Aviakompania Severstal, Blue1, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, City Airline, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta, Finnair, FinnComm, FlyLAL, Germanwings, Iberia, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, JetX, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malev Hungarian, My Travel Airways, Northwest Airliens, Nouvelair Tunis, Pegasus Airlines, Qantas, Russia Airlines, SAS, Singapore, Spanair, Sun Air, Swiss International, TAP, TUIFly, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, and United Airlines.

Terminal Maps

Domestic

International