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Flying SAS for the first time. Thoughts on the airline?

Flying SAS for the first time SFO to Copenhagen. Thoughts on the airline? Maybe I dont want to know if the are horrible considering I already booked my tickets! Hahaha

Posted by
17093 posts

If you go on the internet, you will see both good and bad reports on...every...single...airline. Some prefer airline A, some hate airline A. Some prefer airline B, some hate airline B.

You already have the tickets. Just make sure you understand any particulars to SAS (baggage rules, check in, etc.) and enjoy the flight.

Posted by
2702 posts

I’ve flown with SAS several times and have only good things to say— good service, professional crews and customer-friendly website and App. SAS seems to have a customer-friendly, common sense approach to luggage rules also.
Have fun in København—- it’s a fantastic city!

Posted by
1428 posts

I don’t know where you fly out of. (Edit - oops, you said SFO!) That can make a difference for plane metal. I am out of ORD. Most recent experience July 2023, flight canceled on return due to equipment issues - plane couldn’t turn around at O’Hare, sat for multiple days being repaired.

We were offered unacceptable alternative arrangements involving multiple layovers at various airports for departure on same day as booked. Opted instead for 2 additional days in Copenhagen and a direct flight home. Because of EU rules, we were compensated for hotel and meals - all booked by me, not airline.

Same trip, the plane type was changed on the flight over. No PE, downgraded to Economy- no chance to upgrade to Business. Business was available on our delayed flight home.

Several pre-Covid experiences- mixed. FAs were curt with surly service on at least one occasion. Other journeys were acceptable if not gracious. I did notice friendlier service on the 2023 trip, but in Business that is typical.

Economy- same as everyone else I fly to Europe - nothing to praise. Business was flat bed, comfortable, recommended.

All that said, SAS is my best option from ORD. Will be flying them again soon. Good luck - my bottom line: it is what it is.

Posted by
208 posts

We flew SAS in May/June 2023. Our routing was Chicago-Copenhagen-Oslo-Kirkenes. Later a flight from Oslo to Ålesund. Our route home was Ålesund-Oslo-Stockholm-Chicago.

We were able to choose our seats in advance at no extra charge. All flights operated on time. Inflight service was friendly. The meals were better than any of the meals I have been served by American Airlines in the last few years. All checked bags arrived when we did.

Our transatlantic flights were booked in SAS's premium economy.

Posted by
192 posts

I have not flown long haul with SAS, but as they're my "home airline" I have used them quite a few times for short and medium haul flights.

My thoughts on them are positive.

I have no negative experiences with SAS, and all the staff and crews I have interacted with have been professional and serviceminded. I would not (and do not) hesitate to fly with them again.

Posted by
6986 posts

I've only flown on SAS once, and it was in business class (so perhaps not a valid indicator if you're seated in the back), but it was a lovely flight on a brand new airplane (an A350, it still had that New Airplane Smell). This was in late COVID/early recovery times, from Copenhagen to Chicago, and things could not have been more delightful. We had the entire business class cabin nearly to ourselves - there were just 4 passengers seated up front including us (so only one other couple); it felt like a private jet but huge - with 4 flight attendants working our cabin and just 4 passengers, a 1:1 ratio so we got plenty of attention, needless to say, the service was great. Good food, comfy seats, modern entertainment system (modern everything), plenty of room to take a stroll, it was pretty sweet. I would fly SAS again without any hesitation.

Posted by
1634 posts

I'll never fly SAS if I can avoid it. Business class flight was quite substandard LAX - CPH, with numerous broken and inoperative parts, including the IFE screen. No offer to refund any of my fare: "We sold you a seat; whether anything works isn't part of our contract with you." Return flight was unremarkable.

Eurobusiness CPH - AGP and return were ridiculously bad; much more cramped than US basic economy. The price was good, which seduced me. Not again.