Information on Scandinavian Airlines Flights

Scandinavian Airlines (SK), more commonly known as SAS, is an airline that connects major airports in Scandinavia to North America, Asia and the rest of Europe. Its primary base for intercontinental flights is Copenhagen (CPH), though it also operates some overseas service from Stockholm (ARN) and Oslo (OSL).

I’ve always had great experiences flying SAS, even if it often isn’t the most practical airline due to the far northern location of its hubs. Continue reading for some of my top tips and insights.

Cabin class, seats & legroom

SAS operates intercontinental flights in a three-cabin configuration featuring business class, premium economy and economy class seats. Domestic and intra-European flights operate in an all-economy configuration.

Business Class

SAS offers business class on its long-haul A350-900 and A330-300 aircraft, as well as on the A321LR, which serves medium-haul routes. All seats are lie-flat beds with plenty of storage, a large entertainment screen and decent privacy, though the configuration varies depending on the plane.

On the A350 and A330, these “staggered” seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration. When traveling alone, I personally prefer window seats in even-numbered rows. These seats are set back from the aisle via a table, offering maximum privacy.

On the A321, meanwhile, even-numbered rows are also best for solo travelers, as these are where the so-called “throne” seats (which feature separation from the aisle, but also a second storage table by the window) are located. Couples and friends will prefer odd rows, which are in a 2-2 configuration.

No matter which seat you get, you can expect warm (though somewhat reserved) service in SAS business class. Multi-course meals generally feature one European-style meat or seafood option and one option more geared toward the destination. Think green curry on flights to Thailand, for example. All SAS business class passengers enjoy full bar service and a well-curated wine list.

Premium economy (SAS Plus)

Premium economy, branded as SAS Plus, is available on the A350 (in a 2-4-2 configuration), A330 (in a 2-3-2 configuration) and A321LR (in a 2-2 configuration). Seats feature extra legroom and enhanced recline, with similar pitch and functionality to those you find in domestic first class within the US.

Although SAS Plus food and drink options are neither as numerous nor as luxuriant as those in business class, you will nonetheless enjoy food served on real china with real silverware, and an enhanced selection of wine and spirits as compared with economy class.

Extra Seat

SAS doesn’t monetize extra legroom seats to the same extent that US airlines do, and tends to reserve its bulkhead and exit row seats for elite flyers and passengers with special needs. However, if you’d like more space, you can purchase a seat next to you, which SAS offers for sale (space pending) as “Extra Seat.”

Economy (SAS Go)

Standard seats in SAS economy class (branded as “SAS Go”) feature 31” of legroom, which is slightly less than the industry average of 32”. Passengers on medium- and long-haul flights will enjoy their choice of complimentary meals and a limited selection of beer, wine and spirits, while those flying within Europe can purchase snacks and beverages from a menu.

Basic economy (SAS Go Light)

If you book a basic economy or SAS Go Light fare, you won’t be able to select a seat in advance, and will be limited to an under-seat bag; if you bring a larger carry-on, you will need to pay for it at the gate.

Pre-flight experience

Here’s what you need to know about the airport experience when flying with SAS.

Baggage policy and fees

With the exception of SAS Go Light fares, all SAS passengers can check at least one bag that weighs 23 kg or 50 lbs. Business class passengers can check two bags, with each weighing 32 kg or 70 lbs.

SAS also allows most passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, with SAS Go Light passengers entitled only to the personal item. In my experience, however, they’re not as strict about enforcing this as other airlines.

Check-in

SAS offers easy online and mobile check-in, as well as self-service bag drop facilities and most airports it serves. While you can also wait in line to see an agent, this is typically unnecessary except for in special cases, such as if staff need to verify a visa or other travel documents.

With this being said, if you’re traveling in business or premium economy, or have elite status with SAS or its partner airlines, you do enjoy priority check-in. Sometimes, I’ll visit the counter even if I’m not checking a bag, just to feel fancy!

Lounges

SAS operates branded SAS Lounge locations at its hubs in Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen, as well as in Gothenburg, Sweden and at outstations in Chicago (ORD) and Newark (EWR). These lounges are accessible to passengers flying in business class and premium economy on SAS and business class on partner airlines. SAS and SkyTeam elite passengers can also access the lounge.

SAS also offers Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm passengers an elevated SAS Gold Lounge to passengers holding SAS EuroBonus Diamond and Gold status, and top tier partner elites. However, while these lounges are more exclusive and feature more private seating, core offerings (buffet-style food; self-service drinks) are the same as in the ordinary SAS Lounge.

Onboard experience

Here’s what you can expect onboard your SAS flight.

Wi-Fi & entertainment

SAS offers Wi-Fi onboard all its long-haul and medium-haul aircraft, and on most of its regional aircraft. WiFi service is available for free to business class passengers and for a fee to all other passengers.

All seats on SAS flights to and from Asia and the US offer seatback entertainment screens, with dozens of new release and classic movies, and TV shows, including select full seasons. Passengers in SAS Plus and business class have much larger screeners, which are also higher-resolution.

Amenities

Business class passengers on SAS will have an amenity kit waiting at their seats, though I personally find these to be a bit more spartan than those of other airlines; they often contain only basic toiletries. Passengers in business and SAS plus also have blankets and pillows at their seats, while economy class passengers can request these items.

Loyalty programs, miles & credit cards

SAS extends benefits to frequent flyers who sign up to its EuroBonus program, which allows them to earn and redeem miles on SAS and its SkyTeam partner airlines.

SAS EuroBonus

EuroBonus members can earn miles flying both Scandinavian Airlines and its SkyTeam partners. SAS flights earn a fixed number of points based on the route flown and the class booked. While SAS publishes details online, I find this “matrix” to be overly complicated compared to other airlines’ programs.

Flights on partner airlines earn miles based on a percentage of distance flown, with the percentage (or, in some cases, multiplier) based on the purchased fare class.

Conversely, SAS’ award chart for its own flights is extremely simple, and charges fixed prices for flights based on region, i.e. within Scandinavia, within Europe or to Asia/North America. Likewise, I do find SAS awards on partner airlines to be a good value, though prices vary depending on the partner airline.

Credit cards

SAS only offers its co-branded credit cards to travelers based in Denmark, Sweden or Norway. As a result, this isn’t a reliable way to earn miles for travel on SAS.

Additionally, no major points currency (i.e. American Express Membership Reward or Chase Ultimate Rewards) transfers to SAS EuroBonus. This means that in general, employing a credit card-based strategy for travel on SAS is not a good idea.

You can indirectly use credit card points to book travel on SAS flights via SkyTeam partner airlines. For example, if you have a Delta credit card, or use AMEX or Chase to transfer points to FlyingBlue, the loyalty program for Air France and KLM. However, availability with these programs is often not as robust as booking directly via EuroBonus.

Exit from Star Alliance, entry into SkyTeam

In late 2024, SAS exited Star Alliance and joined SkyTeam. This was notable for many reasons, first among them that SAS had been a founding member of Star Alliance when it formed in 1997.

Although the experience of flying SAS itself is unchanged as a result of this move, the new slate of partner airlines offers both advantages and drawbacks. SkyTeam arguably has a less competitive global network than Star Alliance, which means fewer opportunities for EuroBonus members to use their points for global travel.

Star Alliance frequent flyers have also lost the ability to use their miles for SAS flights. Obviously, however, SkyTeam travelers (which include frequent flyers of Delta, Aeromexico and China Airlines) now have access to these flights with their miles.

In line with the move, SAS has made a limited number of structural changes within its own business. First, the airline plans to consolidate long-haul flying in Copenhagen, and drawn down such services from Stockholm and Oslo. Secondly, it aims to introduce a business class product on European and Scandinavian flights, which currently operate in an all-economy configuration.