SAS Scandinavian

ORD to ARN on Jan 31. The overall impression was that of a low cost airline that flies old outdated planes. They charge you extra for many things but at the end you get nothing in return. I paid 45 USD to upgrade to a "preferred" seat but after boarding I just realized that it was a regular seat at the front of the economy section (row 20) with another seat right in front of me. Service was OK you have to pay for any drinks not ordered with dinner. The entertainment system is outdated all movies start at the same time rather than on-demand. I did pay a relatively low price for the ticket but I would not mind paying the extra 50 to 100 USD and plying with a better airline.

Copenhagen - San Francisco return in Jan 2014. Outbound flight to SFO was fully-booked but the crew managed to serve food and beverage while maintaining a decent standard level of service in economy class. The inflight entertainment system is antique compared to many other airlines operating long-haul. On the return flight the crew were bored and hardly maintaned a bare minimum level of service. Online entertainment system was not functioning at all on the entire middle row 27.

ARN-ZRH SK605 departing 06.20 with arrival 08.45 at January 20 2014. The aircraft for this service was a Boeing 737-600 and I was seated at 3F in SAS Plus. The general experience is overall good although SAS Plus by no means can be compared to the previous Business Class. Breakfast was offered which was quite tasteful but served out of a paper box. There is no longer any free middle seat as opposed to the previous Business Class but I was fortunate enough to select the correct seat row since the flight was not fully booked. The staff at SAS are always very friendly and polite and the flight as normally departed and arrived according to schedule. Really nothing to complain about but not a special experience. The 737s of SAS to my opinion is starting to get old and need some interior upgrades. Both of the comfort of the seats but especially the in-flight entertainment system which is non-existent. SAS is definitely not what it used to be but maybe they will come back in a couple of years.

NRT-CPH on January 9th. Usually try to fly business long haul but this time it was economy unfortunately. I have been for a long time flying this airline and supporting it but I have to say limits are soon coming as time has run away from SAS ageing fleet. Absolutely worst was the tiny 5" low rez TV screen not offering even AVOD but running channels on movies so it was impossible to see any entertainment from start. Upon asking even the FA stated how aged it was. A340-300 with seating having a black box between your feet on the floor killing already the cramped space. No hygiene kit whatsoever provided only pillow and blanket. Staff was efficient but lacked courtesy and at times smiles. As everything costs after meals on this airline I tried ordering champagne after 30 min in air only to be told drink wagon is coming in 15 min just before meals. Killing again the mood somewhat. When meals were served there was just one kind of food as well as no FA telling anything just lifting the tray on the table. 3 toilets were out of order during whole flight that is unacceptable for 11h. SAS has to understand how ageing its product is especially as pricing is premium. Flying long haul there are greater products were you receive a modern flight package and not suffering through the 90's. Food was good though but can hardly save the experience.

ARN-CPN-LUX and back. The Stockholm-Copenhagen route is so well worn it's almost like a shuttle service to feed the Copenhagen Hub. The bit that interested me was the CPN-LUX leg which was equipped with their new Bombadier CRJ-900. Now that the old MD-80s have been relegated to the scrap heap these new planes are to become SAS's regional workhorses. Even in the back seats (near the engines) the experience is very smooth much like flying private jet. Would recommend Usual free tea and coffee and very little else from SAS.

CPH-GOT-STO-CPH all on SK. Planes were clean and all flights on time and uneventful so SK delivered the basics OK. A cup of coffee was offered on all flights in SAS GO. Crews appeared to try but generally passion and friendliness was lacking. There was very little passenger contact other than the most basic.

CPH-SFO-CPH in business. Outbound flight not very impressive. There was a foul smell in the cabin throughout the entire flight and it was filthy overall. Seemed like this particular plane had not been properly serviced in a while! IFE did not work but the purser cheerfully announced that in 2015 when SAS will have new plans this will be addressed. in my mind I have very little patience with technical glitches especially during a flight of more than 10 hours and even more so travelling in the front cabin. Food was good although I cannot understand that they have the same menu every time. Flying back was much much better. Plane in better condition nice and engaged staff and tastier food. Overall SAS has a decent business class product but the plans are getting old and the IFE system needs to be updated immediately.

ARN-SKG one way flight on SAS Boeing 737-600. It was a full flight due to Christmas holidays. Seats were extremely uncomfortable especially for tall people. Only coffee and tea free. Cabin was clean but crew was cold just doing their job. Recommended only if you find a cheap fare.

SAS-CPH-LHR. SK503. Copenhagen airport was very quiet when I got there on Tuesday. SAS is constantly upgrading passenger 'self-service' which speeds up the process of getting through the airport to your gate. Their latest development is a self-service Bag Drop. Fairly simple to use. The bag is put on an unmanned luggage conveyer belt which the machine registers and weighs. The passenger then uses a bar reader gun to pick up the details from the luggage tag. The bag is then transported away. Any problems/machine errors are sorted out by a member staff on call. So now all normal pre-flight checks and documentation before security (including passport verification) can be done without staff contact and hopefully without queuing. Flight was good tea and coffee free landed nearly on time with quick baggage delivery.

Flight SK526 LHR to ARN Dec 9 Seat 1F. Crews were excellent. But Business Class is just not worth it. Seats without finesse. Full planes and packed Business Class middle seat. Wonderful crew made flying easier however it wont be repeated in choosing SAS. Last year flew Business ARN to Chicago the seats were old worn out and seemed unhygienic.