As Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) turns the page on its Star Alliance chapter and enters a new era aligned with Air France-KLM and part of the SkyTeam alliance, it is restoring business class on intra-Europe flights.
Intra-Europe Business Class Returns To SAS
Currently, SAS offers an “SAS Plus” product on intra-Europe routes (the same thing the carrier calls it longhaul premium economy product). Unlike traditional business class within Europe, there are no blocked middle seats, though complimentary snacks, drinks, and light meals are served, plus priority check-in, expedited security, and lounge access are included.
Here’s an example of what that service looks like:
Full review here.
With the restoration of business class—expected to roll out sometime in 2025 according to One Mile At A Time—expect blocked middle seats, a curtain separating cabins, and perhaps even the restoration of nicer meals on ceramics with the re-introduction of business class.
I fondly recall intra-Europe business class on SAS a decade ago before the switch to SAS Plus…the hot meals were delicious:
> Read More: Comparing Scandinavian Lunches in SAS Business Class
> Read More: A Sensible Stewardship Suggestion For SAS
Part of the SAS pivot from Star Alliance to SkyTeam is a plan to join the transatlantic joint venture that already includes Air France, Delta Air Lines, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. Offering a consistent product on intra-Europe flights diminishes the risk of folks who refuse to fly anything but business class or higher from booking away. SAS won’t have to do much to transition its cabins from “Plus” to “Business Class.”
CONCLUSION
SAS will bring back business class on its intra-Europe flight. While infrequent flyers may still be shocked to learn “business class” is still an economy class seat, there should at least be a blocked middle seat, more food onboard, complimentary wi-fi, and a dedicated lavatory, all little touches that make a difference.
“the restoration of nicer meals on ceramics”
Maybe…Skyteam partner KLM is still serving European business class meals in boxes.
You are quite right.
That’s a win for FB. The issue people had before this change was that SK was charging J prices for W. Now that they’re joining the JV, they probably want to do this so it would attract people to connect via CPH, as they’re expanding their footprint across the US now.
The headline should read: “Scandinavian Airlines Will Restore Intra-Europe EuroBusiness Class” because what is described herein still doesn’t pass for actual business class anywhere in the world outside of Europe.
I think it’s implied that “Intra-Europe Business Class” = “Eurobusiness”.
The pont is that Eurobusiness isn’t business class at all. And it amuses me to no end when Europeans try to be all smug about how US airlines are somehow inferior to theirs when I can get a far better business class seat on an RJ from ORD-IND than they can on the likes of LH, AF or BA on a 3-4 hour flight.
Eurobusiness is overpriced trash with a 28″ pitch; it is not business class in any way.
It’s not that European airlines are superior, or U.S. airlines are inferior. U.S. airlines, in business do offer much better seating compared to most European airlines (Turkish is the exception). But the lack of catering and service in the U.S. does stand out, negatively. JFK-CLT in F (business, really) should feature more than a single drink service and the dreaded snack basket. I recently flew AGP-CMM and was served a hot lunch on a :45 minute hop.
No lounge access for just a business class ticket in the US as well.
Yeah but both terms mean the same thing and express the same sentiment.
If this is true, I’ll be very pleased to see it, SAS had what was probably the best European business class offering. That said, over the time SAS plus has been the norm, all the other carriers, especially AF and KL have diminished business class to something less than economy was ten years ago so I’m not optimistic that it will be a great product and all those A20Ns are going to take quite some time to fit with curtains so I wouldn’t raise my hopes too far too soon.
Turkish or Air Bulgaria are the best European business class offerings, in that they actually offer a real business class.
ROTFL, you clearly don’t remember SAS and while Turkish is good, SAS was better.
Bulgarian? I can’t stop laughing.
With a handful of exceptions, SAS Plus doesn’t offer outstation lounge access unless there’s a SkyTeam lounge at the departure airport. Contract lounge access, most likely for both business class and Elite Plus pax, would be the real benefit of business class returning to European routes. Any catering improvements would merely be a fringe benefit.
I’m all about catering improvements. SAS intra-Europe food is already great…I’d love to see it served on nice dishes, which would also dovetail with SK’s push toward sustainability.
You missed what I always thought was the best part of EuroClass/Business – the little blue clothespin to clip your napkin to your shirt!