Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) plans to officially relaunch business class on intra-European flights on October 1, 2025, nearly a year after SAS announced its intentions to do so after joining SkyTeam last autumn.
European Business Class Return To SAS In October 2025
SAS removed intra-Europe business class in 2013, replacing it with a hybrid product it called SAS Plus (the same term it uses to describe its longhaul premium economy class cabin). In that move, it jettisoned curtains separating the cabin, meals served on ceramics and glassware, and guaranteed blocked middle seats.
Those elements will return to the new business class, with tickets going on sale May 6, 2025 and launching October 1, 2025. Business class will be offered on all international flights, including intra-Scandinavia, and include four elements:
- Enhanced dining experience: a new food and beverage concept with a more “premium and flexible dining experience including reusable premium tableware”
- Dedicated cabin: A section in the front of the aircraft for business class travelers, separated with a curtain and overhead divider
- Blocked middle seats
- Priority treatment on the ground: Priority check-in, boarding and access to more lounges, ensuring a seamless premium travel experience from start to finish
On that last point, SAS Plus passengers currently face limited or no lounge options when not flying out of an airport with a SkyTeam lounge. Once again, front-cabin passengers will have access to more partner lounges at outstations.
SAS says this move “ensures a clear and recognizable Business Class product, providing an elevated experience tailored to customers seeking comfort, flexibility, and a higher level of service.”
Paul Verhagen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAS, said:
“Many of our comfort- and quality-focused travelers expect a clearly defined European Business Class that aligns with international standards. While SAS Plus has provided an upgraded experience, it has lacked the recognition and clarity that travelers seek. With the reintroduction of European Business Class, we are ensuring that SAS offers the premium experience of a top European airline.”
Recognition and clarity are important distinctions.
I just flew SAS Plus a couple of weeks ago and while it represents an elevated service over economy class (including a delicious breakfast), it certainly felt like more of an enhanced economy class product…all these elements will help improve the experience.
I remember when SAS used to have a “real” intra-European business class and fondly recall delicious meals onboard, like this meal from Oslo to Reykjavik in 2011:
and this meal from Reykjavik to Copenhagen:
(honestly, two of my all-time favorite airline meals)
> Read More: Comparing Scandinavian Lunches in SAS Business Class
As far back as 2019, I lamented about all the waste in SAS Plus and suggested, “Why not invest in reusable containers…dare I say real dishes and glasses…for meal service? I doubt the extra weight to carry and water to sanitize such dishes and glasses would be worse than all the waste created by each passenger now. It would also create a more premium appearance.”
It now says, “SAS’ new food offering cuts food waste, boosts local sourcing, and replaces plastic with compostable materials—highlighted by the shift to reusable porcelain tableware.”
It only took six years, but I’m glad SAS finally listened!
> Read More:
- A Sensible Stewardship Suggestion For SAS
- SAS Cuts Hot Towels In Business Class “For The Environment”
- SAS Worried As “Flying Shame” Grips Sweden
Why Is SAS Adding Intra-European Business Class Back?
SAS hopes to join the Atlantic joint venture that currently includes Delta Air Lines, Air France, and KLM (Air France-KLM now owns a 19.9% stake in SAS).
Both Air France and KLM offer a real intra-European business class and this will align SAS with those products, providing a more seamless travel experience.
SAS says, “The launch supports SAS’ long-term strategy and strengthens Copenhagen’s role as a global hub for Scandinavian and European connectivity, while also simplifying connections and offering a more cohesive experience for passengers traveling across multiple alliance airlines.”
What Is The Future Of SAS Plus?
One thing that is not clear to me yet is what the future of SAS Plus is on intra-European flights. I would imagine it will remain, in a separate section just behind business class. My guess is that it will continue to include meals, as they now are served in disposable packaging, and drinks (in economy class, SAS Go, only coffee and tea are included).
SAS Plus passengers have already lost lounge access on longhaul flights and I’d imagine that will also apply to SAS Plus as well on routes within Europe.
CONCLUSION
On October 1, 2025 a formal business class cabin will return to SAS on European flights with upgraded amenities.
Frankly, this took a little long…I understand that provisioning with ceramic tableware and “real” drinking glasses and coffee cups takes time, but why not immediately restore curtains and block middle seats? Even so, this is good news.
Hat Tip: Henry
Nice to know since I have turned over a new leaf in my thoughts on Europe. Well, actually just Hungary and I see SAS offers flights from multiple cities there. I look forward to visiting the historic city of Budapest and supporting their brave leadership.
Hopefully this forces KL to stop serving disposable Wanders boxes now that SK is moving back to glassware and real cutlery.
Having recently stepped off an intra-Europe KL flight, I agree (though those boxes are very attractive and I do love those juice shots).
Those trays of food look so small; they need to be rectangular, so that adequate portions can be provided; the portions looks quite small; disappointing for what they charge for bus. class.
Are you expecting the new menu to include consommé starter, Lou Fassum for main and Baumkuchen for dessert?
just to note that paper based disposable products are far less damaging to the environment than plastic and probably less damaging and costly than dishes that have to be washed.
yes, SAS focused for years on competing w/ low cost carriers including Norwegian and now has to rebuild its brand as part of the AF/KL Group. they will get there and probably have a better onboard product than LH
You’re correct about the short-haul product, but it’s striking to me that the longhaul product has been virtually unchanged for 20 years. I’m wondering whether SK will just stick to what it has done or if there is any room for innovation and whether that will impact margins and finally bring the carrier back to sustained profitability (it has higher labor costs amongst its European peers per employee, but now funnels new hires into subsidiaries [as LH does] in an attempt to reduce labor costs) .
SAS Plus is likely to remain a superior Economy offering in intra-Europe but no blocked middle seats. You will get alcohol and a boxed meal at best.
Good news, but we’ll have to wait for the pricing. Unlike IAG and LHG, AFKL usually price short haul C at levels that are obviously designed to ensure passengers stay in the back of the bus [presumably in the hope of grabbing the odd full-fare intercontinental connecting passenger near departure]…I don’t think anyone is rushing to pay €750 for four 90-minute flights on an Embraer.
Among European airlines and their fraudulent offering of Business Class, SAS used to be the best by quite a margin. Let’s hope they lead the pack again and in particular, force Air France and KLM to up their game because both have reduced their offering in recent times down to similar offerings to Lufthansa and British Airways.