Seat recline is excellent and the fully reclined position offers a reasonably comfortable sleep position. Cabin staff greet with trays of champagne or orange juice, followed by service of newspapers - magazines contained in the cabin wall racks. A round of hot towels precedes the safety video, before the Captain provides his welcome and confirms an on-time departure. Once the seatbelt light is off, cabin staff begin their duties - passing around the business class menus and wine lists, before starting the aperitif service. A large colourful menu that offers a tempting array of dishes that dopredominantly reflect Finnish cuisine, with of course a Japanese tendency on this route.
Canapes arrive with the aperitif, including caviar - sadly only a single service is provided.
As the bar service is cleared away, tablecloths are laid onto tables and meal carts herald the service of dinner. The hors d'oeuvres is excellent, and the accompanying salad is fresh, crunchy and with a good flavour. Meanwhile a basket of warmed bread rolls, rye bread and crispbreads are offered around the cabin, and wine services provided to passengers. Entrees are served later directly from the galley and arrive piping hot, and my choice of the Crayfish proves to be a good judgement with excellent standards. The wine list is extensive, offering a choice of Champagne, French white Alsace, Bourgogne and Sauternes, a French red Bordeaux and Italian red Toscana - with Taylors Port to follow the meal service.