Scandinavian Airlines Revamps Its Intra-Europe Business Class Offering

Updated: April 15, 2025, 11:02am CDT

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Scandinavian Airlines’ New European Business Class
Final Thoughts

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Scandinavian carrier SAS has acknowledged that it’s time to align its premium intra-European experience with what peers such as Air France and Lufthansa offer.

As of October 1, 2025, SAS will no longer offer its current SAS Plus product on short-haul European flights. This “in-between” offering will be scrapped in favor of a true European-style business class.

“While SAS Plus has provided an upgraded experience, it has lacked the recognition and clarity that travelers seek,” said Paul Verhagen, chief commercial officer at SAS. “With the reintroduction of European Business Class, we are ensuring that SAS offers the premium experience of a top European airline.”

Here’s what you can expect when flying SAS business class within Europe from October.

Scandinavian Airlines’ New European Business Class

The idea of a new business class is a head-turner for sure.

Before getting too excited, though, remember that business class on intra-European flights is quite a bit different than first class in the U.S. On short-haul European flights, business class is typically a cordoned-off section in the front of the aircraft instead of a dedicated cabin. The seats may have a little bit more legroom and offer slightly more recline, but they’ll be in the exact same 3-3 layout as you’ll find in economy.

This concept is almost exactly what SAS will introduce on intra-Europe flights on October 1, with tickets becoming available for purchase on May 6. The cabin layout will remain 3-3, but middle seats will be blocked, meaning passengers will only be seated at window and aisle seats. This is in line with what the vast majority of other European carriers offer in their short-haul business class cabins.

SAS new European business class blocked middle seat — Rather than offering larger seats in a 2-2 configuration, European carriers often leave the middle seat empty in their business class cabins. Image Credit: SAS

SAS will also introduce all-new food and beverage options, which the airline promises will be more premium than the current SAS Plus offering. In what could be a first for European business class, SAS will offer an element of flexibility in its dining experience.

SAS new business class meal — SAS promises more premium food and beverage offerings with the introduction of its new European business class. Image Credit: SAS

We’d expect that to mean that passengers will get to choose when they eat, similar to what you might expect when flying long-haul with a premium carrier such as Qatar Airways.

The news comes during an era of big changes for the airline, which recently left Star Alliance to join the SkyTeam airline alliance last fall.

Hot Tip:

SAS operates nonstop flights from its hubs in Copenhagen (CPH), Oslo (OSL), and Stockholm (ARN) to 8 cities across the U.S. Since joining SkyTeam, you can now use Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue to redeem flights, including business class, with SAS.

Final Thoughts

The big news here is that SAS is improving its European premium experience to bring it up to the level of what other carriers already offer. That said, the dining flexibility element could give SAS’ new business class an edge among frequent premium flyers.