Airline Profile: SAS

The Facts:

Analysis:

Travel Classes:

SAS Go (Economy):

SAS Go is SAS’s economy class. Economy class is in a 2-2 configuration on all CRJ 900s/1,000s and ATR 72s, in a 3-3 configuration on all Airbus A320 series aircraft and Boeing 737s, and in a 2-4-2 configuration on all Airbus A330s and A340s. Economy class features personal on-demand entertainment on all Airbus A330s and Airbus A340s. WiFi is available on all long-haul flights and is being installed on all narrowbody aircraft which are used for shorter intra-European flights. Additionally, it is free for all SAS elite members. Finally, USB ports and power outlets are featured on all long-haul aircraft and on Airbus A321neos (a feature that isn’t available on many other airlines on intra-European flights).

On short haul flights, passengers in economy class can buy warm meals and beverages while on long-haul flights to the US and Asia, they receive full meals and drinks for free. Unlike airlines such as Turkish Airlines, but in a way similar to most other European airlines, passengers receive no amenity kits on long-haul flights. Passengers in economy class can check one 23kg (50lbs) bag for every flight and can take an 8kg (17.5lbs) bag on board as a carry-on. SAS does have a basic economy option (SAS Go Light) which costs around 80-85% of what regular economy class costs. The only difference between SAS Go Light and regular economy is that in the former, you are not allowed to check luggage. Finally, passengers may also pay for access to SAS lounges.

SAS Plus (Premium Economy):

SAS Plus is two completely different things. On short haul flights, it is really like a European business class, and on long-haul flights, it is premium economy. On short haul flights, SAS Plus is the first few rows of economy class and has the same seats as in economy – not even with the middle seats blocked. Passengers on short-haul flights also receive full meals for free, have access to SAS and Star Alliance lounges, get priority boarding, have free WiFi, and get two 23kg (50lbs) checked bags for free. While on Scandinavian Airlines, you don’t get the middle seat for free, the food and amenities are similar to that on airlines such as Lufthansa in business class. Also, SAS Plus on short-haul flights isn’t unreasonably priced, like short-haul business class on BA or Lufthansa. On an average flight, free food, more luggage, and lounge access cost around 150-160% the price that basic economy or 130-140% the price of what regular economy costs, which I would say is pretty reasonable.

On long-haul flights, SAS Plus is a premium economy product. On A340s and A330s, passengers get recliner seats in a 2-3-2 configuration which have legrests, headrests, and more recline than in economy. Also, passengers get lounge access (not many other European airlines give lounge access to premium economy passengers), free Wi-Fi, free three-course meals, amenity kits, power outlets, and two checked bags. It usually costs around 130-140% of the price of economy, which for a substantial premium economy product is not unfair. That means on a transatlantic flight; it costs around $2,000 one way compared to economy class which costs around $1,300 one way.

SAS Business:

SAS Business is only featured on long-haul flights and is available on all Airbus A330-300s and Airbus A340-300s. It is in a fully flat 1-2-1 staggered configuration (with all aisle access) and features the Thompson Vantage XL seat, similar to business class on South African Airways’ A330-300s and Qantas’ 787s and A330s. The seat is very spacious and also has a fair amount of privacy. Passengers receive amenity kits which are better than in SAS Plus, have large IFE screens, get free premium meals, get two 32kg checked bags and two 8kg carry-on bags, and receive complimentary WiFi.

Passengers in business class also have access to SAS Lounges, which are featured in Chicago, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Helsinki, New York, Oslo, Paris, and Stockholm. The lounges feature buffets with warm meals and snacks, free WiFi, phone rooms, children’s rooms, and shower rooms. Finally, business class usually costs around 250% as much as economy class, so on a transatlantic flight from Washington to Copenhagen, it costs around $3,700 one way.

Have you ever flown on SAS? Share about your experience below!