While the medium-haul service of SAS is frugal to say the least, the long-haul service is impressively consistent, with a level of service rarely found elsewhere in Europe.
If you have followed the previous episodes, you know that the choice of SAS to fly to the USA was due to two factors: indeed, we have never been disappointed by SAS’ long-haul flights, but I also wanted to use up my points from the Eurobonus loyalty program before the airline left Star Alliance to join Skyteam.
Here’s a reminder of the air routing for this trip.
You’ll find the list of articles about this trip to Boston, New York and New Orleans at the bottom of the page.
Ground experience
When I land in Copenhagen coming from Paris, we are a good ten minutes late, even though I had a one-hour connection at the start.
The maths are simple: boarding has started and the plane leaves in 20 minutes, although I have no doubt that it will wait for me. But as I don’t like to keep a flight waiting, I rush from gate B4 to join the E120, and for those who know this airport, it’s almost like going to the end of the world.
But the Olympics are about to start and I feel like a sprinter. To my surprise, it only took me 11 minutes to reach my boarding gate, but I can tell you that the pace was fast and that, in fact, I was more in Ayrton Senna mode than sprinter when it came to overtaking nonchalant tourists.
I was also helped by the Danish immigration controls, which are always very smooth and friendly for crossing into the non-Schengen zone.
A final stretch to finish in a part of the terminal that is often deserted because it is oversized.
Boarding
Boarding is coming to an end but is not finished yet. There is no one left in the priority line and the agent quickly checks my passport, asking me the usual security questions.
Finally, I can rush onto the jetway where I find myself in the jam of economy passengers but, no matter, the plane won’t leave without me.
The business cabin of the SAS A350
Here I am at last on board. Unsurprisingly, the cabin is the same as the one we have always known on the airline’s A330s and A250s. And of course it is already full, which does not make shooting any easier.
It is of course in a 1-2-1 configuration.
It has a “staggered” configuration, so depending on the row you are in, you are either close to the aisle or, on the contrary, far from it and close either to the window or to your seatmate if you are in the central block.
This is my seat, close to the window and sheltered from the aisle.
Of course, it can be tilted 180° to turn into a bed.
The screen is of a decent size, but very shiny, although, strangely, this does not get in the way when using it.
On the side I find a small storage space (unfortunately the only one), the noise reduction headset, the seat controls, sockets and the reading light.
I also have a remote control, which is more convenient when I’m lying down. Practical, but we’ve seen more advanced.
Also for the lying down position, there are controls located lower down for better accessibility.
The comfort kit is already in place, very good quality from the Swedish brand DUX.
It’s fully extensive and of very high quality.
The kit is a kind of small reusable bag.
I also have excellent quality blankets at my disposal.
The shelf, meanwhile, is a very good size.
So much for this tour of the cabin, not made any easier by the fact that there were already people in it when I got in.
It’s not a flashy product but it’s very comfortable, with lots of space, unlike some seats that can make you feel claustrophobic. On the other hand, it lacks storage space.
The flight
Boarding is taking a long time, and with good reason. I can hear two flight attendants chatting, and they are still waiting for passengers from the Paris flight. Obviously they don’t have the same walking pace as me or don’t know the airport.
A quick glance at my iPhone and my AirTag confirms that my suitcase has followed me. One less thing to worry about.
We are given our menus.
We finally push back and after a very long taxiing we take off.
I love on-board cameras.
Very quickly, we are given a hot oshibori.
The tables are then set.
I’ll start with a glass of champagne accompanied by hot nuts.
Then I am brought bread, butter and cutlery.
SAS doesn’t skimp on the cutlery: as much as the dishes.
The staff really anticipate your needs: my glass of champagne isn’t even empty yet and they’re already asking if I want another one.
The service starts and that’s really what I like about SAS: the starters are presented on a cart so that you can make an informed choice.
I will have the grilled scallops with hazelnut and apple cream, baked plum sauce and fried fennel. They will be accompanied by a salad that will be prepared and seasoned in front of me on demand.
The presentation is successful.
The scallops are firm, the hazelnut cream is very good and the plum sauce is pleasantly surprising.
The salad with apples will be delicious.
They refill my wine glass and the staff clear the plates before starting to serve the main.
Once again, the dishes are displayed on a cart. It’s still classier than the service of many other airlines.
For me, it will be the smoked beef tips with red wine sauce with thyme and pearl onions, fried potato rösti, baked tomatoes and green beans.
I should add that the staff are really lovely.
The dish is seasoned with salt and pepper by the staff in front of me at my request.
The beans are crunchy, the tomatoes are tasty and the rösti is delicious when soaked in sauce.
The meat is melt-in-the-mouth, more like pulled meat.
It’s very tasty, the sauce is excellent and it’s even hearty.
The staff are constantly coming round offering refills, and if you add the service and the serving of the dishes, they are really very active.
Then I’ll have some cheese (Den Hvide Dame and Havgus cheese from Arla UNIKA with green tomato marmalade from Hedh-Escalante, Sweden) and an organic ice cream from Hansens dipped in Friis-Holm chocolate.
It’s better when the cheese is served after the main course and not brought with the starter, isn’t it? (Follow my gaze). The presentation of the ice cream is a little disappointing.
A quick look at the SAS app tells me that we’ll arrive 40 minutes early.
Finally, I’ll have a tea and a Swedish peated whisky, Atmosfär 2.
The staff are still offering drinks and are as pleasant as ever. They are very visible and are constantly coming through the cubicles.
I will spend the rest of the flight alternating between periods of drowsiness and series on my iPad, leaving the tail camera on.
We are approaching Boston and the second service will soon be coming up.
I am given a hot oshibori and the tablecloths are laid.
It will be Atlantic shrimp with dill mayonnaise, eggs and pickled red onions on Danish rye bread, fresh fruit and artisanal chocolates from Hedh Escalante.
So Scandinavian…
Not bad, but I would like something more elaborate. Maybe a little too salty too.
The fruit is ripe and tasty.
And as always with SAS, the service ends with a distribution of chocolates.
On the other hand, the service takes place much too early and the cabin will be prepared for landing 45 minutes before. A bit too much.
Arrival in Boston
We are approaching our destination as we follow the coastline….
We finally touch down and after a long taxiing maneuver we arrive at the gate 30 minutes early.
After a very long walk I arrive at immigration or after an interminable queue I end up dealing with a nasty immigration officer.
But in the end I’ll be outside 30 minutes later, which goes to show that perception is not always reality.
On the other hand, it’s the Silver Line that I’ll take to get to my hotel that will mess up my schedule: a 40-minute ride.
The staff
The crew were always smiling and very friendly and helpful on the long-haul SAS flight.
And I will never tire of mentioning how much I love their service protocol using carts with display of dishes, cheese served at the end, plates cleared before serving the next dish, and constant refills.
It comes at a price: a rather long service, but I really like the attention paid to passengers.
There are supposedly more reputable airlines that do not do as much.
Bottom line
A very pleasant flight, a very comfortable and quiet aircraft, perfect service, good food: I’m still a big fan of long-haul SAS. What a shame they’re changing alliance.
The articles about this trip to Boston, New York and New Orleans
Articles similaires
