SAS Scandinavian

ARN-HEL-ARN-LHR. First leg was on Braathens Aviation (ex-Golden Air) ATR. SAS confusingly had two flights leaving almost exactly at the same time and as expected the ATR departed and arrived later than the Blue1-operated flight which was scheduled just 20 minutes after. No BOB of any kind but free drinks and cheerful FAs made the experience better than the SAS-average. HEL-ARN was operated by Blue1 on the B717. Early departure and arrival surprising; surprising also the generally good service. One FA on ARN-LHR was clearly having a bad day and wanted to take it out on the passengers while the purser maintained good service. On-time as well. Can't beat SAS prices.

I fly SAS probably once a month or more. On the positive side the seats are comfortable and the legroom is more than ample. Food is OK for an airline; not as good as KLM or Air Canada but better than a US airline. Beer and wine is complimentary and they have an after-dinner liqeur if you wish. It's Star Alliance so you know at least you will be able to use the points - and SAS Is very good about awarding their points in a timely manner. It's true that the planes are past their prime. (They still use MD's on some Euro-routes!) On the negative side if you have ever experienced the culture or people in Scanadanavian countries it is written all over this Scanadanavian airline. Their flight attendants have a very low quality of service delivery. It's not that they are rude but the culture is not service-oriented. In general it's a typical legacy carrier - not exceptional like a Lufthansa or Singapore.

Flew from DUB-CPH at the beginning of the year I take this route quite often about 30% of the time with SAS. Staff service is ok and quite often the have competitive prices specially if you can avail of the Youth offers. My luggage was well above the allowance and just a few grams under the maximum limit of what I could board into the plane. The fee was cheap about 20 euro no ripping off. While the planes are not exactly brand new it shouldn't be a problem. Food available for purchase is decent and reasonably priced.

CPH-NRT-CPH A340. Being one of the top 5 European airline 10-15 years ago my recent trip to Tokyo and back was the opposite. Dirty aircraft hard seats and a very old entertainment system that takes you back. The food from CPH was a very small portion of meatballs and mashed potatoes but was much better on the return flight. Cabin staff did their best trying to satisfy the passengers by offering a double order of drinks with the meal just to avoid any misunderstanding when the meal service ends and you even no longer get a can of soda or water for free. Will definitely look for other options next time I fly intercontinental even if it means higher fare or a transfer.

Brussels - Copenhagen - Bangkok and back. Not at all impressed by this airline old airplanes and not comfortable. Service rude and if it was not for the Asian vegetarian food I booked it seems to me we would not have eaten anything as food served to other passengers did not look very good. I know other airlines charging the same price for the same flight but giving better service and where staff at least remain polite.

HEL-ARN on a clean and updated Blue1 B717. Took off more or less on-time during a mini-blizzard circled around Stockholm for a while before being allowed to land (also some light snow falling.) Service minimal as is the SAS way but in general flight made it okay and the price was very right. Gate staff in HEL could learn some courtesy but SAS outsources this.

Stockholm - Copenhagen - Newark - Stockholm. I have mixed feelings about this trip. On the positive side the planes were well in time the food was good the toilets were clean and the staff was friendly. On the negative side the seats were hard the entertainment system real poor and the (expensive) snacks not for free. But when travelling from Sweden to NY SAS is still the best alternative.

Flew business class Chicago to Copenhagen I was expecting a fun flight as I've always thought of SAS as premium airline. The whole experience was miserable and spoilt by a couple of terrible flight attendants who must have been having a bad day. They treated us customers like naughty school boys. If SAS accept this kind of behaviour from their crew then I'll be happy to spend my money with someone else.

TXL-ARN on B736. The aircraft was not the newest but it was clean and well-kept. The cabin crew were attentive and constantly walked through the cabin making sure that everyone was happy. Only tea and coffee (with numerous refills) offered for free but that is ok for this short flight.

Madrid-Copenhagen. Old airbus 321 we were 4 people seated at the back last row meaning seats wouldn't even recline. This is ok when flying with low cost carriers but really when paying full price at least you would expect them to inform you at check in about the seating. SAS insists on payment for food and most beverages. This is ok as they do inform of it however for a 3.5 hrs flight it is not acceptable to run out of all food articles and leave passengers with empty stomachs. No consideration from FA and no apology only fake smiles. No aircon in plane either during the 30 min before take off meaning cabin was very hot and everybody sweating. It makes me wonder why they insist on presenting cartoons as their inflight entertainment on a flight with only business and senior passengers and 2 children in the whole cabin.