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Travel + Leisure
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Airline Route to Europe Was Just Revived After a 16-year Pause—and I Snagged a Seat On the First Flight
On May 21, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) relaunched a long-haul flight connecting Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with Copenhagen Airport (CPH) after a 16-year-long pause. The flight will operate five days per week during the SAS summer schedule—but I was lucky enough to snag a business-class seat on the first flight. "The Seattle-Copenhagen route has been a highly requested destination," Paul Verhagen, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Scandinavian Airlines, tells Travel + Leisure . "Washington State has deep Scandinavian roots, with many residents tracing their heritage to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. This creates natural demand for both leisure and family travel." As any business class journey should, my excursion began with a visit to the lounge. While there isn't an SAS lounge in Seattle, the airline is a part of the SkyTeam airline alliance, so I got access to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport's Delta Sky Club. The lounge has views of Mount Rainier and the runway, and you can plane spot while enjoying small bites like clam chowder, chicken sliders, and caprese salad from the buffet or a drink from the bar. Although the Delta Sky Club was located in Concourse A and the flight was scheduled to depart from Concourse S, it was easy to move between terminals, thanks to the SEA Underground—trains leave every three minutes and there was no need to go through security again. The inaugural festivities kicked off with a celebration near the gate, featuring historic pictures of the original inaugural SAS flight from Seattle to Copenhagen. Boarding was quick and easy (admittedly, being in zone one didn't hurt), and we soon found ourselves on an Airbus 350-900, considered one of the best modern wide-body planes. It's much quieter than most other planes in its peer group, and the air pressure is lower. It only ever feels like you're, at most, an altitude of around 5,500 feet. That all means a more comfortable experience with less jet lag. After a send-off from the local fire department and the airport staff, our flight was soon in the air, making its way across the Rocky Mountains, through Canada, and finally across the Atlantic. I've always flown economy so let's just say that in SAS business class, some socks were knocked off. The business class section was in a 1-2-1 formation, and I found myself in the middle aisle. The units were generously sized, and the seat was large and cushy, with buttons that could adjust the height, angle, and level of cushion in the chair. There was plenty of overhead storage, as well as a nifty area to store other items near my feet. I also appreciated having a shelf (with a drink holder, no less) to store odds and ends that I had with me during my flight. Interior of a SAS Business Class seat. Mae Hamilton/Travel + Leisure There were over-the-ear headphones for watching movies on the very deluxe, oversized entertainment console. Entertainment selection was broad, with new movies like "Nosferatu," "A Complete Unknown ," and "The Brutalist" available to watch as well as classic flicks like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," "Cool Hand Luke," and "Dumb and Dumber." But perhaps one of the coolest perks of flying in an A350-900 is the tail-view camera, where you can watch mountains, rivers, and oceans pass you by during your flight from the comfort of your seat. The internet service, however, was pretty spotty during this particular flight, and it was hard to load a browser page, much less get work done. In addition to the usual business class swag bag—packed with an eye mask, face cream, a toothbrush, and socks—passengers on this inaugural flight also received a small bag filled with things like Scandinavisk-branded hand cream, white chocolate truffles, and a commemorative luggage tag. Passengers also got a 'boreal forest' soy wax candle by Skog, which did indeed smell like a brisk walk through the pines. As far as airplane food goes, it would be hard to find fault in Scandinavian Airlines' business class fare, which truly goes all out with fresh, Scandi-inspired fare. For each meal, flight attendants began service by 'setting' the table by laying down a napkin on the tray table. Dinner was a four-course event consisting of a starter, a main, a cheese plate, and a dessert. I opted for the burrata salad for a starter, a spring-y arrangement of tomatoes, basil, and burrata with a sweet balsamic reduction on the side. I then had the grilled miso chicken, which was served with piping hot jasmine rice and perfectly cooked radishes and bok choy. There was fresh fruit and a cheese plate for dessert, featuring a generous slice of very nice blue cheese. Breakfast was a simple affair with overnight oats, a smoothie, and a poached egg with shashuka. Bedding down in a comforter from the luxe Swedish linen brand Dux made it easy to catch some shut-eye, too. With the multiple feasts and plenty of movies to watch, I soon found myself in Copenhagen. Since I felt so well-rested from my flight, it was easy to hit the ground running—and that's exactly what SAS intends. Copenhagen Airport is a major hub to other Scandinavian destinations and a gateway to all that northern Europe has to offer. After this flight, I hopped on a couple of short plane rides to Bergen, Norway (a direct route from Copenhagen to Bergen is available), and spent a few days exploring the country's breathtaking fjords by car—the transition from one of the region's most bustling cities to one of the most remote and idyllic areas was smooth and easy. "The route is among the fastest and most seamless transatlantic connections, offering travelers an efficient and smooth journey between North America and Europe," Verhagen says. "Schedules have been designed to maximize connectivity with the rest of the SAS network, offering one-stop access to and from 39 European cities via Copenhagen." For West Coast and Pacific Northwest residents, that means Northern Europe is once again, just one short (and very luxurious) flight away.
Forbes
16-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Scandinavian Airlines SAS Reintroduces Business Class In Europe
A new Business Class offer will come to SAS aircraft in Europe later this year. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is reintroducing a dedicated Business Class product on its European routes, a move that reflects its evolving strategy following last year's high-profile switch from the Star Alliance to SkyTeam. The new European Business Class will debut on October 1, 2025, and will be available for booking from May 6 on international flights within Europe, including those between Scandinavian countries. It marks a significant shift for the airline, which has for many years relied on two economy-focused classes in Europe: SAS Go and SAS Plus. While SAS Plus provided some extra service and flexibility, it lacked many of the defining characteristics of a premium offer and never fully convinced business travelers expecting the kind of experience found on other network carriers. The launch is the latest in a string of moves by SAS as it adapts to life in SkyTeam, following its exit from Star Alliance in September 2024. The alliance switch was part of a larger financial and operational restructuring, backed in part by new investors including Air France-KLM. he move aligns SAS more closely with its new alliance partners and brings its product offering in line with SkyTeam expectations—particularly for business travelers connecting via partner hubs in Amsterdam and Paris. KLM, a fellow SkyTeam member and a part-owner of SAS under its new structure, has long offered a consistent Business Class product on short-haul European routes. This model—featuring dedicated cabin space, blocked middle seats, and improved service—has proven resilient even as many European carriers have cut back on intra-European premium offerings. SAS appears to be following suit, but with some Nordic twists. According to the airline, passengers in European Business Class will receive a "more premium and flexible" dining experience with reusable porcelain tableware, an effort that aims to balance environmental goals with luxury. The new SAS Business Class in Europe will feature elevated dining with porcelain tableware. Other perks include a dedicated cabin section at the front of the aircraft with a physical curtain and overhead divider, a guaranteed 'middle seat blocked' policy to ensure additional space and privacy. Existing SAS Plus perks such as priority check-in, priority boarding and lounge access will be retained. The changes are intended to elevate SAS's standing in the premium market, particularly for those connecting through Copenhagen, the airline's main hub and a critical component of its long-haul network strategy. 'SAS Plus has provided an upgraded experience, but it has lacked the recognition and clarity that travelers seek,' said Paul Verhagen, SAS Chief Commercial Officer in a press release. 'With the reintroduction of European Business Class, we are ensuring that SAS offers the premium experience of a top European airline.' One key question for premium travelers is the cost of SAS's new European Business Class. Given its striking similarities to the model used by SkyTeam partner KLM, it's reasonable to expect comparable pricing. Take a typical weekday roundtrip between Amsterdam and London booked two months in advance: KLM charges at least $600 for Business Class, compared to just $200 in Economy. For most passengers, the promise of a nicer meal with proper tableware, and an empty middle seat won't justify the premium. It also remains unclear whether SAS Plus—previously SAS's version of Premium Economy—will continue to be offered. The airline has not yet clarified whether it will coexist with the new Business Class or be phased out entirely. Based on KLM's concept, the latter seems likely. By reintroducing Business Class, SAS is betting on a return of high-value passengers, especially those travelling between Europe and North America or Asia. With SkyTeam membership now in full effect, integration with global partners like Delta, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic could make SAS more attractive to premium travellers seeking smooth international connections. Whether the new cabin convinces travelers remains to be seen, but the airline's intent is clear: SAS wants to be seen once again as a serious option for business class travel.
