Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Review: Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, and More

Key Takeaways

• SAS has economy, premium, and business fares with amenities that vary depending on whether you’re flying within Europe or to Asia or North America.
• As a SkyTeam member, SAS EuroBonus points can be redeemed across major partner airlines.
• Long-haul flights with SAS have strong premium and business amenities, including larger seats (lie-flat in business) and upgraded meals.

Scandinavian Airlines System, better known as Scandinavian Airlines or SAS, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It operates a network of more than 130 destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The airline is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, and its EuroBonus loyalty program offers award chart redemptions and access to SkyTeam partners.

This review explains SAS fare classes, baggage policies, lounges, amenities, ratings, and more, so you can determine whether SAS is a good fit for your upcoming travel.

Basic Information

Airline: Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
Alliance: SkyTeam
Category: International airline
Frequent flyer program: EuroBonus
Tagline: “Journeys that matter.”
Number of passengers annually: 25 million
Fleet: 131
Main hub: Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
Destinations: More than 130 destinations across Scandinavia, the rest of Europe, the U.S., Canada, and Asia

Frequent Flyer Program

SAS’s frequent flyer program is EuroBonus. The program underwent a significant update in 2025, following the airline’s departure from the Star Alliance and its subsequent membership in the SkyTeam alliance.

EuroBonus members can earn and redeem points with SkyTeam carriers, including Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic. SAS has additional partners that allow you to earn and use EuroBonus points.

EuroBonus employs a dual-point structure, with bonus points redeemable for flights, upgrades, and partner awards, as well as level awards to determine elite status. There are fixed award charts for SAS-operated flights and separate fixed charts for partners. Availability can be limited, especially for long-haul business class.

Members of EuroBonus can earn level and bonus points by flying SAS or SAS-marketed flights based on fare class and route. You can also earn with SkyTeam partners, though earnings may be at reduced rates compared to SAS flights.

There are 3 elite tiers with EuroBonus: Silver, Gold, and Diamond, which are earned during a 12-month rolling period. Elite benefits include extra baggage, priority check-in and boarding, and complimentary seat selection. Elite members earn additional bonus points, with Silver members earning an additional 25%, Gold an additional 50%, and Diamond an additional 75%.

You can also earn bonus points through hotel and car rental partners, shopping portals, and promotions. EuroBonus points expire after 4 to 5 years of inactivity, but you can keep points active with qualifying activities, such as flights, partner redemptions, and earnings.

SAS has co-branded credit cards in Scandinavia but not in the U.S.

EuroBonus points can be redeemed for SAS flights and awards with SkyTeam and other partners. SAS flight redemptions can be as low as 5,000 points for domestic economy flights or as high as 50,000 points for business class to or from Asia and North America.

Ticketing

SAS has 3 fare classes: economy, premium, and business. The inclusions in each fare class vary depending on your destination.

Hot Tip:

See our take on reasons to love Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) premium economy.

Baggage Fees

SAS baggage fees depend on your fare type, destination, and EuroBonus elite status. Your allowance appears during booking and in My Trips once your ticket is confirmed.

A small personal item is included for all passengers with a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches). Most fares include a carry-on bag that can be up to 8 kilograms (18 pounds) and a maximum size of 55 x 40 x 23 centimeters (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches). Oversized or overweight items must be checked for a fee.

Checked bags are included for most fares. Premium and business class can bring 2 checked bags. Checked bags can be up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds) for economy or premium, or up to 32 kilograms (70 pounds) each for business. Fees for extra checked bags range from €20 to €105 ($22 to $115) depending on the route and timing. Purchasing luggage more than 14 days in advance of departure typically offers the lowest price.

Baggage that exceeds 158 centimeters (62.2 inches) in linear dimensions is considered special baggage, including items such as skis and snowboards, golf clubs, bicycles, and large musical instruments. It’s included if it fits within your checked baggage allowance and weight limit; however, fees apply if it exceeds your included allowance or weight limit.

Hot Tip:

When discussing baggage allowances, many airlines refer to “maximum linear dimensions” or a similar term. This is merely the number you get when you add the length, width, and depth of a piece of luggage. For example, if you have a suitcase that’s 26 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, then its linear dimensions are 62 inches, or right at the maximum for many airlines.

Other Fees and Add-Ons

Additional fees for services and selections vary depending on your route, cabin class, and the time of purchase. Typically, purchasing in advance is more cost-effective than paying at the airport.

• Change and cancellation fees: Flex fares allow changes with no fee, although a fare difference may apply. For all other fares, rebooking fees range from €70 to €80 ($76 to $87) in Europe to $300 to $450 to or from Asia, Canada, and the U.S. Award ticket rebooking fees are €25 ($27) within Europe or €75 ($81) outside of Europe. There’s an additional service fee of €30 ($32) per person for phone or chat changes, but the fee is waived for changes made online.
• Seat fees: Seat selection fees vary widely by route, cabin, and seat type. Free seat selections are available to EuroBonus Diamond and Gold members at the time of booking. Fees range from €6 to €23 ($6.50 to $25) for standard domestic seats to €120 to €143 ($130 to $155) for business preferred seats.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is complimentary for business class passengers on long-haul flights and for EuroBonus Diamond and Gold members. Messaging-only services are free on many aircraft. The Wi-Fi fee is €3.90 ($4.25) or 800 EuroBonus points.
• Onboard food and drinks: Coffee, tea, and water are free, and meals vary by cabin and route. Within Europe, beverages and snacks are €3 to €12 ($3.25 to $13), and preorder meals range from €5 to €29 ($5 to $32). Meals are included in all cabins on long-haul flights.
• Pet transportation: Pets are accepted in the cabin or cargo hold but not in business class. Pets in the cabin count as a carry-on item and can be a maximum weight of 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) and size of 40 x 25 x 23 centimeters (15.7 x 9.8 x 9.1 inches), including the pet and carrier. In the cargo hold, pets and their carriers can be up to 50 kilograms (110.2 pounds). The container must meet IATA standards, and certain snub-nosed breeds are restricted. Fees depend on the route.
• Unaccompanied minor: Unaccompanied minor service is required for children aged 5 to 11 traveling alone and is optional for children aged 12 to 15. The service includes check-in assistance, escorting, and inflight oversight. Fees vary by region, but are typically €60 to €150 ($65 to $164) each direction.

Hot Tip:

SAS is rolling out complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi to EuroBonus loyalty program members.

SAS Lounges

SAS has a lounge network across Scandinavia and select international airports. It also offers access to over 750 SkyTeam and partner lounges worldwide. Access to the lounge depends on your fare type, route, and status with EuroBonus or SkyTeam elite status. All lounges require a same-day boarding pass for an SAS or SkyTeam-operated flight.

SAS Lounge locations include:

• Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH)
• Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (GOT)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL)
• Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)

Typical SAS Lounge offerings include a buffet, drinks, free Wi-Fi, and dedicated work zones. Some lounges offer kids zones, showers, and rest cabins.

Complimentary SAS Lounge access is available if you’re flying business (or premium on a domestic route), are a EuroBonus Diamond or Gold member, or a SkyTeam Elite Plus member. EuroBonus Diamond or Gold members can bring 1 guest or up to 4 family members traveling on the same SAS or SkyTeam flight. Arrival access is available for business passengers or EuroBonus Gold members arriving from Asia or North America, and all SAS arrivals for EuroBonus Diamond members.

Lounge access is available for a fee ranging from €35 ($55) to €39 ($59) or 4,300 EuroBonus points, depending on when you purchase access. Purchasing within 3 hours before departure or at the lounge is the most costly.

Inflight Inclusions, Amenities, and Seat Specs

Economy Within Europe

Amenities include:

• Standard seats with 29- to 31-inch pitch and 17- to 18-inch width
• Coffee, tea, and water
• Buy-on-board drinks, snacks, and light meals
• Wi-Fi available for purchase
• Prebooked seat selection for a fee

Premium Within Europe

Amenities include:

• Extra legroom seats
• Coffee, tea, and water
• Meal or snack
• Priority boarding
• Fast-track security (where available)
• Lounge access (where available)
• 1 checked bag
• Prebooked seat selection

Business Within Europe

Amenities include:

• Empty middle seat (except on domestic flights)
• 32-inch pitch seats
• Meals and drinks
• Fast-track security (where available)
• Lounge access (where available)
• Priority baggage
• Additional checked bag allowance

Asia and North America Economy

Amenities include:

• Standard seats with 31- to 32-inch pitch and 17- to 18-inch width
• Complimentary meal
• Nonalcoholic drinks included
• Pillow and blanket
• 9-inch seatback entertainment
• USB and power outlets
• Wi-Fi available for purchase

Asia and North America Premium

Amenities include:

• Standard seats with 37- to 38-inch pitch, more recline, an adjustable headrest, and a leg rest or footrest
• Premium 3-course meal plus snacks and drinks
• Nonalcoholic drinks included
• Pillow and blanket
• 12-inch seatback entertainment
• USB and power outlets
• Extra checked bags

Asia and North America Business

Amenities include:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Lounge access
• Lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in most configurations
• 15.4-inch seatback entertainment
• USB and power outlets
• Multi-course à la carte menu
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Amenity kit
• Extra checked bags and weight

SAS Customer Satisfaction

Most Common Complaints

The most common complaints on TrustPilot.com, where SAS has a 1.4 out of 5 (bad) score from more than 1,000 reviews, include difficulties with the booking process and staff performance and attitude. Some customers have trouble getting hold of support to resolve issues.

Consumer Rankings and Ratings

• Skytrax ranking: 3-star airline (out of 5)
• Tripadvisor airline review rating: 3.5 out of 5 (average from 11,285 reviews)
• Kayak customer rating: 7.4 out of 10 (average from 1,590 verified reviews)

Safety and Performance

SAS has a strong modern safety record. The airline experienced notable incidents in 1948, 1960, and 1964, but has had no major fatal accidents in more than 60 years. Recent events have been limited to nonfatal operational issues, such as hard landings, bird strikes, and mechanical malfunctions.

Operating under Scandinavian and European oversight, SAS maintains modern safety procedures and is IOSA-registered, adhering to current EASA maintenance and safety requirements.

Recent Awards

SAS received 2 notable awards in 2025. It earned a five-star rating in the APEX Global Airline Rankings for the third consecutive year and received the Frequent Traveler People’s Award for Best Airline Loyalty Credit Card EMEA.

Final Thoughts

SAS has a straightforward experience, and its premium and business fares stand out for comfort, meal quality, and reliable Wi-Fi. With membership in the SkyTeam alliance, the SAS EuroBonus loyalty program has extensive earning and redemption opportunities with dozens of global partners.

Although SAS has good industry ratings, customer feedback is mixed. Customers may encounter additional fees for seat selection, flight changes, and baggage, depending on fare type. But with competitive pricing, lounge access options, and a flexible loyalty program, SAS is a good choice for travelers to Scandinavia or connecting onward to Europe.