SAS to serve the USA with an A321 LR and a handsome business class

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has just taken delivery of its first A321LR and is offering a very attractive product on this long-haul single-aisle aircraft.

The SAS A321LR

The 321LR (LR for Long Range) is the long-range version of the Airbus single-aisle jet. It offers a range of 7,400 km, positioning it in the long-haul market. With new-generation engines, it offers 30% lower fuel consumption and is 50% quieter than the previous generation of machines.

Of course, it sports the new SAS livery, and with its faux A350 look, it’s a very handsome aircraft.

The cabin will feature 157 seats (compared with 198 on the airline’s medium-haul version): 22 “SAS Business” class, 12 “SAS Plus” and 123 “SAS Go”. And that’s where it gets interesting.

In general, European airlines don’t make much of an effort on the cabins of their single-aisle aircraft: dedicated to short- and medium-haul flights, they don’t offer specific business seats, simply the same as economy, with a little more legroom (sometimes) and most often by neutralizing the middle seat.

Of course, there are exceptions like Turkish Airlines, as you can see in this review of a flight between Istanbul and Gothenburg, and Asian airlines like Singapore Airlines, but in Europe this is by no means the norm.

Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 Business Class

Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 Max Business Class

Turkish Airlines Airbus A321Neo Business Class

But now that single-aisle aircraft are being used for long-haul services, it’s becoming difficult, except for a low-cost airline, not to offer a product worthy of the name in the front classes, even on an A321.

This is the option chosen by SAS, following in the footsteps of other airlines such as TAP, which also uses A321LRs.

SAS A321LR cabin

We won’t dwell on the economy cabin, which is actually very classic.

It’s pure SAS: sober and classic, in good taste.

However, we note the appearance of in-flight entertainment systems not found on the airline’s medium-haul single-aisle aircraft.

Then it’s straight to business class, with an alternating 2-2 and 1-1 configuration.

It’s beautiful and sober, and you’ll appreciate the fact that you can travel side by side if you’re with 2 people, or opt for an isolated “throne” seat if you’re alone.

It looks quite premium, but we’ll have to test it in use.

But in the end, what I like most is premium economy (SAS Plus). SAS could have opted for an “upgraded” economy seat, but instead opted for a special seat in a 2-2 configuration.

As for service, we’re guessing it’s top-notch, because as much as SAS offers a service worthy of a low-cost airline on medium-haul routes, we were impressed by their long-haul service, as witnessed by this flight between Copenhagen and Chicago. Here you can view all our flights on SAS.

Where does SAS 321LR fly?

SAS currently plans to operate its A321LR on two routes from March 27, 2022

– Copenhagen – Washington

– Copenhagen – Boston

Bottom line

SAS joins the list of airlines entering the single-aisle long-haul market with the Airbus A321LR. An aircraft equipped with 3 classes of travel of the most beautiful effect.

What do you think of this cabin? And are you one of those who are reluctant to fly long-haul in a single-aisle aircraft, or are you ready to give it a try?