Serving as the national carrier for Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, Star Alliance member Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is not your average international airline.

The Lounge

Scandinavian Airlines’ business class lounge is located at the heart of Copenhagen Airport and is a spacious welcoming beginning to any journey. Consisting of approximately 100 seats, the lounge is stylish and modern and is broken into unique spaces, from lounges and a games room to kitchen table setups. The new relaxation space, located in one corner, is a coveted hideaway for guests looking for true tranquility, while dedicated work stations are among the biggest we’ve sees in a lounge.

The lounge does lack a few standard perks; the snack buffet, although fresh and innovative, is limited to very Scandinavian dishes including salmon pate, gherkins, cheese, potato salad and smoked salmon. In addition, there is no spirits offering and wine and beer come from keg-style taps. By 9pm, when guests were arriving for the 10.50pm flight, there was nothing but radishes, cheese and bread on offer. The bathroom complex was also shut during much of our stay, and upon completion, most of the shower and toilet stalls mysteriously remained locked.

In Fight

The flight boarded 45 minutes before takeoff and the business class cabin filled quickly and efficiently. Guests were greeted with glasses of 2005 Henriot Champagne, chic amenity kits and duvet-style blankets. SAS operates an Airbus A340-300 aircraft between Copenhagen and Bangkok, with 46 business class seats. Each boasts in-seat power, individual screens, noise reduction headphones, storage space and lumber support. Each reclines to 170-degrees, which isn’t quite lie flat and while the seat is very comfortable for sitting, dining and working, the angle roved a bit awkward in the sleep position, which is achieved with one button press. Although the entertainment system is a breeze to navigate, it’s very limited, so be sure to bring your own movies.

One of the highlights of the SAS business experience has to be the professional, cheerful staff, who responded to every request quickly and pleasantly. A crew-turned-chef presented meals with the carry of a Michelin-starred restaurant, and flight attendants were always available throughout the 11-hour journey. Another odd highlight was the bathroom aboard the A340, which not only includes plenty of elbow room and a chic, inviting design, but also features its own window with wind-down shutter.

Dining

The SAS business class menu showcases local ingredients and gives passengers a range of options, perfect for late night long-haul flights. Dinner consisted of salmon mousse and grilled squash with organic bread, and a choice of roast duck breast with thyme potatoes, sautéed green cabbage and Karl Johan mushroom sauce; braised pork with mashed potatoes, baked apple and horse radish; and fried tofu with jasmine rice and sukiyaki as a vegetarian option. These were matched with a wine list that included an Alain Grignon viognier and a Yulumba Y Shiraz from South Australia.

Due to the late departure time, an express dinner of chick breast, vegetables and apple tzatziki was also available, while a limited but appreciated buffet of coffee, sodas and snacks was also on offer. In a departure from other business class services, the entrée and main were served in one setting, something welcomed by travellers looking to eat and sleep. www.flysas.com

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