Introduction

Paying โ‚ฌ11 for the same meal that’s free one row forward?

I flew from Manchester to Palma via Copenhagen to experience both SAS Plus (where everything’s included) and SAS Go (where you pay for everything extra).

The food was identical – the service attitude definitely wasn’t.

View of empty economy class seats on an airplane with gray headrest covers and a sign that reads, "SAS GO Behind this seat row.

SAS Plus

My Manchester to Copenhagen flight operated on a tiny CRJ aircraft by Cityjet.

Despite the cramped regional jet, the cabin manager immediately set professional standards with a pre-departure announcement that caught my attention.

There had been a catering mix-up, there were not enough standard meals. Instead of shrugging and disappointing passengers, she proactively offered various snacks to compensate and managed passenger expectations upfront.

Empty leather airline seats beside a window inside an airplane.
Interior view of an airplane's exit row, showing an open overhead bin, exit sign, emergency door, and a person sitting, using a phone. The flight attendant is visible in the galley area.

Twenty minutes after takeoff, I was offered salmon or pizza and chose the salmon.

What arrived was genuinely impressive for European short-haul: birch smoked salmon with potato salad, pickled vegetables, and horseradish, served with Nordic crispbread and wooden cutlery.

The salmon was fresh and the potato salad was creamy without being heavy.

A cardboard box labeled "Birch Smoked Salmon" is placed on an airplane tray table, with a QR code and instructions for enjoying the meal printed on the box.
A meal tray on an airplane seat tray table containing a salad, a packet of dressing, and cutlery wrapped in a napkin.
A boxed meal containing leafy greens, crackers, smoked salmon, various dips, and vegetables in a cardboard tray.

I appreciated the QR code on the packaging, which allowed for direct feedback to SASโ€”a smart way to gather real passenger input rather than relying on generic surveys.

A meal tray on an airplane seatback tray table includes a salad with salmon, a cup of orange juice, a carton of Froosh smoothie, a piece of bread, and compostable cutlery.
A tray table with wooden cutlery and a salad in a box.

The cabin manager’s professionalism shone when she offered Hedh Escalante chocolates and additional snacks to passengers who missed their meal choice.

A person holding a tray with an assortment of snacks, including cashew nuts, chocolate bars, and boxed items from SAS inflight meals, inside an airplane cabin.

These Swedish chocolates are usually served after main meals, but she used them creatively to ensure everyone felt looked after.

A white box with two chocolates labeled "Hedh Escalante Chocolatier Lund, Sweden" is elegantly placed on an airplane tray table as part of SAS inflight meals.

SAS Lounge

The SAS lounge impressed with substantial hot food options, including chicken kebab and chilli con carne, a fresh salad bar, quality bread, and proper cafรฉ service.

The work area had large desks perfect for layover productivity.

A unique “daylight booster zone” used special lighting to simulate natural daylight – clever idea for Scandinavian travellers dealing with seasonal light deprivation.

Sign on a clipboard with the title "Welcome to the Daylight Booster Zone" placed on a wooden desk beside a clear acrylic stand. Text provides information on the use and benefits of the Daylight Booster Zone.
A well-lit counter with two white stools underneath. The counter holds a brochure and a clipboard. Grey curtains are drawn on each side in the background.

SAS Go

My Copenhagen to Palma flight operated by SAS Connect revealed the difference between cabin classes.

I’d pre-ordered the โ‚ฌ11 meal online – identical to SAS Plus offerings but paid separately.

A commercial airplane is parked at the gate of an airport. Ground crew and equipment are preparing for or completing the boarding process on a sunny day.

The meal didn’t arrive initially, and when I asked about it, the young crew’s response was telling.

Hesitant movements, eye rolling exchanges, and a noticeable lack of enthusiasm when delivering the pre-paid meal created an unwelcoming atmosphere.

Airplane tray table with a boxed meal containing a mixed salad, bread, and a package, with an SAS in-flight magazine in the seat pocket.
A closed cardboard meal box labeled "Lightly Smoked Chicken Breast" is placed on an airplane tray table.
A meal inside a box containing slices of chicken breast, potato salad, lettuce, carrots, purple coleslaw, and a piece of crispbread.

The tender smoked chicken breast came with fresh potato salad, crisp lettuce, colourful vegetables, and Nordic crispbread.

While the chicken was good, the salmon from the earlier flight remained my favourite.

Here’s what really bothered me: after completing one service 30 minutes after takeoff (which took about 20 minutes), the crew vanished into the galley for the remaining two hours until landing preparations.

Interior view of a commercial airplane cabin filled with seated passengers. Overhead bins are closed, and individual screens on the seats are visible. Flight attendant stands in the aisle.

No additional beverage runs, no passenger interaction, no presence in the cabin. For a three-hour flight, this felt inadequate regardless of cabin class.

The Buy On Board Menu

SAS Go passengers can purchase additional items from a limited onboard menu with beverages, snacks, and light meals.

Pricing seemed reasonable for European airline standards, though the crew’s reluctant service made purchasing awkward.

An airline menu featuring a cover with images of food and drinks, titled โ€œSAS Onboard Menu Summer/Fall 2024,โ€ placed on an airplane tray table.
An in-flight menu displaying various food and beverage options, including beverages, alcoholic drinks, savory snacks, street snacks, spirits, and light meals, with prices listed for each item.

Conclusion

If you’re flying SAS within Europe, consider upgrading to SAS Plus for a more comfortable experience.

Not because the food is better (it’s identical) but because the service approach transforms the entire experience.

The smoked salmon meal was genuinely excellent with authentic Nordic flavours, while the chicken option maintained good quality standards.

But crew professionalism varied dramatically between cabin classes.

SAS Plus delivered the warm, customer-focused service Scandinavian Airlines is known for, while SAS Go felt like a reluctant budget operation.

The catering mix-up on my first flight showed why SAS Plus succeeds – professional crew who turn problems into opportunities for exceptional service.

That’s worth paying extra for, especially when the alternative involves an eye-rolling crew who disappear for hours after serving your pre-paid meal.

About SAS

Find another airline