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SAS Plus and SAS Go Inflight Review

Explore SAS on European routes, what to expect and what's included.

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INTRODUCTION

Scandinavian airline SAS offers two types of cabin classes for travelers within Europe: SAS Plus, which includes complimentary catering and an assortment of other benefits like priority boarding, extra luggage allowance, and more; and SAS Go, a no-frills experience where passengers need to purchase meals and snacks.

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

If you’re traveling in SAS Go, the airline offers a range of meals that can be pre-ordered for 11 euros each. These pre-ordered meals are identical to those offered in SAS Plus but come at a cost.

On a recent trip from Manchester to Palma (via Copenhagen), I experienced both SAS Plus and SAS Go to compare the two services.

While I flew on SAS aircraft, both flights were not operated directly by SAS, and the difference in customer service was striking. This could be attributed to the different cabin classes I experienced.

SAS PLUS

My first flight from Manchester to Copenhagen was operated by Cityjet on a very small CRJ aircraft.

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.

Despite the size, the flight was comfortable, and the cabin manager was polite and customer-focused.

Before departure, she announced a mix-up with the inflight catering. Although the standard meal was available, there wasn’t enough to go around.

She creatively managed the situation by offering various snacks to compensate.

Twenty minutes after takeoff, I was offered a choice of salmon or pizza, and I opted for the salmon.

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 passengers to provide feedback on the meal directly to SAS.

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.

The smoked salmon came with a potato salad, pickled vegetables, and horseradish. The salmon was fresh and delicious, very Nordic and on-brand for SAS.

Crispbread accompanied the dish, and wooden cutlery was provided, adding an eco-friendly touch.

A tray table with wooden cutlery and a salad in a box.

The cabin manager further impressed by offering chocolates and additional snacks to those who missed out on 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.

This thoughtful gesture was well-received by everyone in the SAS Plus cabin. Hedh Escalante chocolates are normally served after the main meal service.

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

During my brief layover in Copenhagen, I visited the SAS lounge, which offered a variety of meal options such as chicken kebab and chili con carne, along with fresh salads, bread, and a selection of hot drinks from the SAS café.

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 café 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 lounge’s work area featured large desks and a small range of beverages, making it an ideal spot for some quick work.

One unique feature was the daylight booster zone—a space designed to simulate natural daylight, enhancing passengers’ well-being before their next flight.

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

The second leg of my journey was in SAS Go, operated by SAS Connect from Copenhagen to Palma.

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.

After taking off, the crew began the inflight service. I had pre-ordered a meal online, paying the 11 euros, but it wasn’t delivered initially.

Upon querying, the meal eventually arrived. The young crew, with their hesitant movements and eye-rolling exchanges, brought it out with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm.

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 meal itself, a smoked chicken breast salad, was of excellent quality, although my earlier salmon salad stood out as a favourite.

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.

SAS Go passengers can also purchase items from a limited buy-on-board menu.

Here’s a look at the inflight menu.

An airline menu featuring a cover with images of food and drinks, titled “SAS Onboard Menu Summer/Fall 2024,” 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.

On the three-hour flight from Copenhagen to Palma, the crew completed one service 30 minutes after takeoff, which took about 20 minutes.

For the remaining two hours until landing, the crew remained hidden in the galley, only emerging to prepare the cabin for landing.

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.

CONCLUSION

Overall, my experience with SAS highlighted the stark contrast between their SAS Plus and SAS Go.

The customer-focused approach in SAS Plus was far superior.

While SAS Go offers the same meal service (albeit at a cost), the stark contrast in crew professionalism and service delivery was unmistakable.