I flew 2 European airlines across the Atlantic in economy. The seats were similar, but the food was night and day.

Taylor RainsApr 1, 2024, 23:38 IST

Between mid-February and early March, I flew on British Airways and Finnair on flights across the Atlantic.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I recently took long-haul flights on European flag carriers British Airways and Finnair in economy.
The coach seats were comparable, with good space and comfort, but I liked my Finnair flights better.

I recently flew back-to-back on two countries' flag carriers in Europe: British Airways and Finnair.

British Airways is much larger of the two, but both fly long-haul between Europe and the US with their hubs in London and Helsinki, respectively.

These flights weren't initially planned so close together, but thanks to some last-minute schedule changes, I found myself crisscrossing the Atlantic twice in two weeks. The closeness of the flights made it easy to see how Finnair has an edge over British Airways.

However, I wouldn't shy away from booking my lesser favorite again, so long as the price is right and I bring my own food.

Here's how my flights compared.

My two flights on British Airways and Finnair were in long-haul economy between New York and each airline's respective hubs.

Between mid-February and early March, I flew on British Airways and Finnair on flights across the Atlantic.Daniel Bockwoldt/picture alliance/Getty

Both are a part of the Oneworld alliance, meaning I started and ended my treks at Terminal 8 in New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The British Airways check-in at JFK Terminal 8.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

British Airways’ presence at the airport gives it an edge, but it may make little difference for economy passengers like myself with only a carry-on.

Finnair is part of the Oneworld alliance and rooms with British Airways and others in Terminal 8. It has a smaller check-in counter, though.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Price-conscious coach travelers typically care more about how much comfort the cheaper economy fares get. Each roundtrip cost me about $700.

A British Airways Boeing 777 at New York-JFK.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Starting with the seats, I experienced both Finnair’s standard and extra legroom seats.

The view from the standard seat 33J on Finnair.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I was randomly assigned an exit row on British Airways. The standard economy seats on both offer 31 inches of pitch.

I was randomly assigned seat 26A, which had an off-set window. Still, I could easily see outside.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Although the British Airways seat was an exit row, Finnair’s was just a regular seat configured in such a way that it juts into the aisle.

I was sitting basically in the aisle, which curved around my seat and was normal after my row.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Due to their locations, both seats had the TV screen and tray table stored beside the seat.

While my seat had endless legroom, Finnair's regular "economy comfort" seats offer 35 inches of pitch.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

This is the main thing I find inconvenient about bulkhead and exit row seats

The lavatory on British Airways (pictured) was right next to my exit-row seat. This can be bothersome to many travelers, but I didn't mind.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Otherwise, both had good entertainment options, though British Airways gets bonus points for having a USB-C port.

The screen popped out of its side-seat cubby.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

And they both offered plenty of padding for comfort.

The extra legroom seats on British Airways (left) and Finnair (right).Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Moreover, the extra legroom seats on each airline offered tons of space.

The unlimited legroom of seat 22C on Finnair's A350.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

However, the exit door protrudes out, blocking legroom in the window seats in British Airways' exit row.

I'm 5'3" and about 150 pounds, so I fit in virtually any airline seat.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The seat on Finnair, however, did not come with a seatback pocket. British Airways’ window exit row seat did, thanks to a little wall pocket.

I could fit my chargers, headphones, and Kindle in the pocket.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

While I didn’t fly in British Airways’ standard seat, I did experience Finnair’s. I was in the last row and slept like a baby on the redeye.

Can you tell I have dogs?Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The deep recline on Finnair was a significant help with sleeping, but I noticed it impeded on the person behind's space.

The seats were configured in a 3x3x3 layout.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The best fix was for everyone to recline when not eating so everyone leaned back and had space.

The flight attendants asked people to sit upright during meal times.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Overall, the seat design on both British Airways and Finnair was sleek and modern, regardless of whether it was extra legroom or not.

The adjustable headrest is on every economy seat on British Airways (pictured) and Finnair.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

However, Finnair is still my preference simply for the food. It was the best I’ve had in economy on a Western airline in a long time.

The side dish on the outbound journey.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Between the two Finnair flights, I had a beef dish with rice and veggies on the outbound and meatballs and potatoes on the return.

The food on Finnair.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Both meals were tasty and well-cooked, especially the meat. All of the side dishes paired well with the entrées.

I ordered this unique blueberry juice with my meals. It was also served on the domestic flights.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Meanwhile, British Airways' egg breakfast on the way to London was mediocre at best, and the pastry's texture needed work.

Customers had other options for drinks, too.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

A flight attendant on the flight told me the food originating in London, not NYC, is much better.

Passengers were given a light snack on British Airways before landing.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

While I liked Finnair more, the airline is much smaller than British Airways, with only one flight per day from NYC.

The Finnair Airbus A350 at the gate in Helsinki.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Helsinki is also further, so it's a longer transatlantic journey.

I watched a John Cena movie on my British Airways flight.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Despite the longer journey and fewer options, Finnair has still become my go-to when I search for one-stop transatlantic flights to Europe.

The cabin of the Finnair A350.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

If the fare is much higher than British Airways — as I find is many times the case when trying to book Finnair — then I'd book the UK airline.

The time difference between New York and London is five hours.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

British Airways food may need work, but its seats and service are still better than United or Air Canada, and I'd book it over those.

The seats on a United Airlines Boeing 767 red-eye, which came with a flimsy pillow and no blanket.Taylor Rains/Insider

I flew in economy on British Airways' Boeing 777 from New York to London. It was a fine option for crossing the Atlantic, but the food needs work.

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