The “new” SAS Business Class on intra-European routes is a big upgrade over the SAS Plus service the carrier offered for years.
SAS Intra-Europe Business Class: A Big Improvement
We flew from Zürich to Copenhagen in business class to start our trip back to the United States, an Airbus A320-operated flight. The flight departed at 10:20 am and we had a nice breakfast in the SWISS Lounge prior to the flight.
Recall that for about a decade, SAS has served meals like this in its premium cabin (that it did not label as business class) on flights within Scandinavia and Europe:
These were very fresh meals, though the presentation left much to be desired, with meals served in cardboard boxes and drinks in plastic cups.
As part of its rebirth in SkyTeam, now closely tied to Air France-KLM, SAS has brought back “proper” business class on these routes, with blocked middle seats, a curtain dividing cabins, and meals served on “real” tableware.
Lunch on my flight featured:
- Beetroot tzatziki with dill oil
- Bresaola with tuna ensaladilla, Taleggio cheese, and pickled brown beech mushrooms
- Mango and coconut entremet cake with fresh blueberries
It was delicious…especially the beetroot tzatziki.
The kids had pasta, which was about the best kids’ meal I’ve ever seen (more on that in another post):
Drinks were served in glasses, coffee in a ceramic cup…it was so much more dignified than before.
Service is a bit odd…there are indeed time constraints, but meals were served first, then drinks later. However, the flight attendants working business class were very nice. SAS had designated eight rows for business class and there was just my family and a Swiss mother and her son…it was very quiet.
CONCLUSION
Intra-Europe business class is still just a coach seat with a blocked middle, but SAS had really upgraded the product…I was impressed by the food on my flight to Copenhagen and commend SAS for what it has done to improve its soft product.
31″ pitch on hard, narrow seats with no recline is not “proper” business class, even if they serve decent food. European airlines continue to be the worst in the world in terms of narrow-body business class.
Actually, I think it’s 30″ pitch on the SAS 320s. They do have 3″ of recline. And, on the “non-neos” the armrests are movable. Yes, I prefer US narrowbody F over this. But, I like having no one next to me (really great, I imagine, on the 2 side of the A220) and I like that, with some frequency on my flights, many of the non-blocked seats were empty. I had a KLM 195 flight where I was the only EuroBusiness pax. I can’t remember see an empty F seat on a US narrowbody post pandemic. Given the reviewed flight was scheduled at 1:45, I doubt I’d have enough time to truely enjoy it if the changed to 2-2 seating with extra pitch.
Recently flew KLM from AMS to LCY on their 195 Cityhopper and Business was 2-2 no blocked seats. Maybe your flights with them have been under-booked but mine was packed. At least with J or SE+ Crown 52 lounge access. More Delft Blue Houses than one can count there.
You might want to call out that domestic flights still have SAS Plus with no blocked middle and a meal box (it does have lounge access though). Even things like Oslo to Tromso that is over twice the distance as a business route like Oslo to Copenhagen is only SAS Plus.
When did you fly that? It changed October 5, because my GOT-CPH middle October blocked and my ARN-CPH next month is blocked middle as well.
Remember. What you are mentioning is NoT domestic services.
“I got such a deal on this Ramlösa.”
I can take a blocked middle for a short flight and call it comfortable – what I truly dislike about coach, after all, is having a stranger compete with me for an armrest. Nor am I so tall that I need massive leg room. Objectively, however, sprucing up the catering will not qualify as a meaningful upgrade. I’d prefer to have something good in the lounge or after arrival at my destination.
Now if only KLM would do the same for their meals…
Also I wonder how much longer SAS passengers will have access to Star Alliance lounges?
I’m sorry but SAS is a horrible airline that’s better than KLM and maybe Lufthansa but below Air Baltic, Air France, Finnair and even British Airways.
On a route of this length, BA has hot meals, a far better bar service, inexpensive and very fast wifi, and power ports.
SAS, SAS, SAS… The savvy and classy SAS!
SAS is a perfect fit for SkyTeam, and SkyTeam is a perfect fit for SAS…
Dill oil… Truly original & healthy! Note that dill oil is usually used for digestive problems such as constipation, loss of appetite, and indigestion. Because of dill’s carminative properties, it can help stop gas formation in the intestines.
While I appreciate the updates here, calling 3-3 middle-seat-blocked ‘business’ class is never gonna sit well with me, even if there’s extra legroom and a nice meal, still…
I always read your article, but you are extremely biased to SAS. SAS long haul is still terrible with the same food for a few years, and it is only you leaving good reviews. SAS intra-Europe is for sure a upgrade, but it still feels like old SAS Plus with champagne. I flew SAS all the time due to my residency but after a few trials it is again the same food all the time and crews are not that nice as you always describe.
Wait till my next segment (CPH-ORD) tomorrow! 😉
I am an SAS fan and I really like the food..I’ve always found it delicious.
But I agree the product is below average
Below average in what sense? Like, the seats need doors?
No, you know I’m not a fan of doors.
Below average in the sense that the IFE is downright terrible and that the bedding an amenity kit are also “meh”
I find it incredibly disappointing they abandoned the partnership with Hästens (which included a mattress sheet) for Dux.
Though this is pretty fancy for a part of the world that has the Lagos philosophy.
I find your representation of the previous SAS Premium a bit too forgiving. Often it was the infamous “cube” – filled with weird, cold veggie foods like dill flower steamed carrots, apple cider cured cauliflower, hibiscus and black pepper cream, sweet and sour mustard sauce, and dill seed spelt (Yes, I was traumatized by this one). Almost always vegetarian.
And don’t forget the awful “Polarrulls” they served on shorter routes.
The contrast with the ever cut IAG brands “service” and it’s moving in the opposite direction couldn’t be starkers… another group who will be better off avoiding BA. Iberia and their ilk!
I really lile the “new” business class from London Heathrow to Helsinki via Stockholm or Copenhagen, and vice versa.
The price is still pretty much the same as it was for SAS Plus. I’m not sure if it had increased for other routes and/or direct flights.
Service is great but I can see this product getting much pricier soon.
Mileage price has gone up, though, as has the bidding price.