Introduction

Scandinavian airline SAS operates two distinct European cabin experiences: SAS Plus, with complimentary catering and priority perks, and SAS Go, where you pay for everything extra.

With SAS Go passengers able to pre-order identical meals for โ‚ฌ11, I was curious whether the only real difference was the price.

I flew from Manchester to Palma via Copenhagen to experience both products.

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.

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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 direct feedback to SAS.

This is 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.

Automated gate access at an airport terminal, featuring turnstiles and biometric scanners. A large screen in the background displays an image of a smiling woman.
A modern cafรฉ with a long counter, multiple stools, and various snacks and beverages on display. The interior features warm wooden accents and suspended white curtains.
A wooden desk with a leather chair, a power outlet, and a coffee cup overlooks a busy indoor area through a large window with beige curtains.
A bar counter with various bottles of alcohol, a beer tap, wine bottles, and glasses on shelves above. A mini fridge beneath the counter stores more bottles.
A modern kitchen counter with a coffee machine, various condiments, and a large round map decor on the wall. In the foreground, a blue book titled "Scandinavian Nature" is displayed.
A beverage station with a soda dispenser, water pitcher, glasses, coffee machine, and mugs on wooden cabinets and shelves, against a white tile wall.
A salad bar featuring various ingredients in bowls including lettuce, corn, spinach, dressing, and other toppings. Tongs are available for serving.
A modern kitchen setup with polished pots and pans hanging above a dining area. Several people are seated and working on laptops or eating at tables.
A self-service salad bar with various bowls containing ingredients like corn, greens, tuna, and dressings. Shelves with plates and bread are seen in the background.
A buffet table with four dishes: a pot of white rice, tortillas, chicken kebab, and chili con carne. The pots have serving utensils, and signs label the dishes.
A cafe counter with a coffee machine, cups, saucers, and various baked goods displayed on the counter and shelves. The wall behind has a tile backsplash and shelves with additional items.
A countertop with bread, plates, bowls, and various kitchen items under wooden shelves. A person is visible on the right side of the image, standing near a sink.

The work area featured large desks perfect for layover productivity.

At the same time, a unique “daylight booster zone” used special lighting to simulate natural daylight, a 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.

A closed cardboard meal box labeled "Lightly Smoked Chicken Breast" is placed on an airplane tray table.
Airplane meal consisting of sliced chicken, a side salad, carrots, and a small snack bar, placed on the tray table of an airplane seat.
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.

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.

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

After completing one service 30 minutes after takeoff (taking about 20 minutes), the crew vanished into the galley for the remaining two hours until landing preparation.

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.

There were no additional beverage runs, no passenger interaction, and 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 featuring 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, try SAS Plus. 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.

Both showcased proper Scandinavian cuisine rather than generic European airline food.

However, crew professionalism varied dramatically between cabin classes, with SAS Plus delivering the warm, customer-focused service Scandinavian airlines are known for, while SAS Go felt more like a reluctant budget operation.

The catering mix-up on my first flight demonstrated why SAS Plus succeeds, a professional crew who turn problems into opportunities for exceptional service. That’s worth paying extra for.

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