Experience SAS's New Business Class on the A320 Flight

Introduction to the Flight

The flight from Zurich to Copenhagen aboard SAS's Airbus A320 marked the beginning of our journey back to the U.S. This was my first time experiencing SAS's revamped business class on a short-haul flight. SAS has significantly upgraded its European domestic flights with a genuine business class service, featuring blocked middle seats, curtains separating the cabins, and meals served on real tableware.

Flight Information

SAS flight 602 from Zurich (ZRH) to Copenhagen (CPH) departed at 10:25 AM and was scheduled to land at 12:10 PM. The flight duration was 1 hour and 45 minutes, covering a distance of 591 miles, and my seat was 4H (business class).

Airport Services

The check-in process at the airport was managed by dnata, which handles check-ins for various airlines. Business class passengers enjoyed the benefit of a priority security lane, which saved us a significant amount of time. Upon arriving at the gate, we had breakfast at the SWISS Lounge before our flight.

The Business Class Cabin

The business class cabin on this flight was quite spacious, but only 6 out of 32 seats were reserved. Although business class is designated from rows 1 to 8, the actual layout can be adjusted based on the number of passengers. Essentially, the business class seats on SAS remain economy seats with a 30-inch seat pitch, but they guarantee that the middle seat is empty.

Seat Quality

The seats are Recaro BL3520 model, which are not particularly comfortable or well-padded. Each seat is equipped with a USB-A charging port, but there are no A/C power outlets. The seats can recline 3 inches and measure 18 inches wide. While this width is greater compared to many other seats, it still doesn't feel overly comfortable.

In-Flight Cuisine

On the flight, lunch included delightful dishes such as:

• Beet tzatziki with dill oil
• Bresaola with tuna salad, Taleggio cheese, and pickled beech mushrooms
• Mango and coconut entremet with fresh blueberries

Although there were no meal choices, I had ordered a special meal for my kids, which turned out to be quite delicious, featuring cheese pasta and fresh salad.

In-Flight Service

The in-flight service was slightly different - meals were served first, followed by beverages. However, the flight attendants were very attentive and courteous. They made multiple rounds for drink service and also provided snacks from the buy-on-board menu for the kids.

Wi-Fi and In-Flight Entertainment

Business class passengers enjoyed complimentary Wi-Fi. However, there was no in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, and no screens in the cabin.

Restroom Facilities

Business class passengers had access to a private restroom located at the front of the business class cabin.

Conclusion

We landed in Copenhagen on a cold and gray day. While European business class still feels like economy seating with the middle seat blocked, the quality of service and food has seen significant improvement. I was quite impressed with the meal on this flight and look forward to seeing further enhancements from SAS in the future.

This flight was a great way to experience the perks of flying business class, but always adjust your expectations accordingly.

Article referenced and edited from: Live and Let's Fly