Review of Scandinavian Airlines Business Class Sfo to Denmark
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A330 SAS Business Grade Review: My Worst Business Class Flight E'er
The headline should set the tone, so buckle up for my worst business class review e'er: SAS from Stockholm (ARN) to Chicago (ORD) on the A330. For those a scrap surprised, the A330 is SAS' standard long-haul production. Afterward seeing photos of the motel, it looked really sleek, and nosotros were excited to check this out. I'll highlight a few areas where I'm going to requite SAS the do good of the doubt in this review, but my wife and I easily consider our SAS business grade experience our worst business class flight always. We'll be avoiding them in the hereafter. Here's what happened.
Booking Process
We booked with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and paid 72,000 miles each + $51.11 in taxes and fees. This is definitely not the best pick for business grade flights from Europe to the U.S. Nevertheless, after canceled flights and rearranged plans, we had a bunch of miles stranded in my KrisFlyer account. Given that and the recent 20% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards (my wife was targeted for it; I wasn't), we didn't take to cough upwards very many miles. That made information technology a winner for united states.
It was also a winner because nosotros could go to my parents' in Florida with only one connection, which other alliances couldn't offer us.
The cash price was $iii,427 when including the United domestic flying. This is a redemption value of iv.7¢ per mile. That'due south above average for KrisFlyer redemptions — fifty-fifty for premium cabins.
Bank check-In
It was a disaster. There'due south no sugarcoating it.
SAS had 2 employees for business class check-in and 3 for economy. They were checking in 3 SAS flights to the U.S. at the same time when nosotros arrived. The economy line was iii-4 times longer than the business course line, only it completely emptied out long before the business organization class line. The worst, slowest check-in agents available handled our line.
When we got in line, there were 6 people/families (whoever was going to the counter together) ahead of usa, plus the ii people already at the counter. We spent more than fifty minutes waiting in line. That's ridiculous. ii agents took 50+ minutes to help a full of 8 parties. Here'southward why.
When it was our turn to check in, the woman helping u.s. looked at my passport and so gave it dorsum to me. Then she did the same for my wife. So, when she wanted to await at our Covid tests, she realized she didn't have the passports to check the names. We had to give them back to her. This "oops, give me the passport again" occurred twice more during the procedure. And then, she tried to ask if we have visas–not remembering we had U.s.a. passports. It was a mess.
At the end, she told the states we would normally have access to the lounge, "merely I recommend you go directly to the gate, since at that place isn't actually enough time to stop at the lounge." Yeah, who'due south fault is that? Nosotros showed upward at the aerodrome ii.5 hours before the flight, only we lost an hour and needed to skip the lounge considering of potential lines at passport control and needing to become to the taxation refund desk.
Employee Gave Bad Info
Every bit we finished check-in and started to walk away, I asked the employee where the tax refund desk-bound was. She told us that the closest i is closed, and so go by passport control and discover it near our gate. That turned out to be wrong. There's no taxation refund desk about the gates. By the time we figured this out, we didn't have time to become to the other last and get in dorsum to our flight. Since this can't exist washed online at this point, she made us lose about $32 by giving bad info.
For reference, it'due south the tax refund on items purchased in Sweden past non-citizens who are leaving the EU. The purchases had goose egg to practise with SAS, just I had assumed she could betoken us to the correct spot. Nope.
Boarding
This was another disaster, manifestly and simple.
Our gate had a document check area before yous could enter the waiting area. This went quite well. The actual boarding procedure was another story.
First, in that location was no pre-boarding, business class boarding, or even groups. It was just a cattle call. "Nosotros will offset boarding at present" and people headed for the jet bridge. Then, we got a surprise announcement. "Since we are boarding by jitney, the bus is full. It can only handle 50 people at a fourth dimension. Anybody delight sit down dorsum down." Say what?
Get-go, why are we taking a bus? Second, the people at the front of the line had that "no manner I'm sitting downwards and losing my spot in line" look. It was laughable.
Nosotros took a autobusall the way around the drome. Our plane couldn't have been parked further away. People joked that we were driving to Chicago.
Once the bus dropped u.s.a. off, there was no organization. No employees helping anything. Nothing.
Plus, it was freezing. Many people had put their coats and jackets in their suitcases (including the states), since we were inside the airport already. At present, nosotros were outside in the Swedish winter, freezing.
Inbound the plane, nosotros just got a "hi" and nothing very friendly as I stepped by the flying bellboy to turn left into the business grade cabin. My wife didn't even go a "hi" on her side, at the other alley.
SAS A330 Concern Class Review – ARN to ORD
Nosotros got in and thought, "OK, that's over. Now everything should be fine." We were incorrect, but not everything was bad. I'll be fair here.
The business grade cabin looks pretty sleek. Seats are in a staggered 1-two-1 configuration. There are 8 rows in concern class. There'south no real difference in the middle seats. All seats in the "two" part in the middle are basically the same in the fact that none of them are 'more than together' without the dividers.
For the unmarried seats forth the windows, fifty-fifty-numbered rows are more individual and closer to the window. This is due to the staggered layout.
Interestingly, while I was taking this picture of the cabin layout, a flight attendant made an announcement. "It is prohibited to take pictures of other passengers or flight crew without their consent under Swedish privacy laws." I'm sure it was directed at me. They could've just come and talked to me, and I would've happily shown them that I didn't take picturesof anyone.
Seat
When we showtime arrived, my wife and I had seats in row 5. Nosotros wound up moving to row 6. More on that after, simply that explains why you'll see my controls in a unlike spot later.
The seat layout looks prissy. The layout is pretty ergonomic, and everything is hands reachable. There is a console in the center of the seats, and it wasn't the nigh convenient to talk over it to one another, but information technology wasn't bad.
On arrival, the seats had a seat cover, blanket, pillow, and amenity kit.
The console by my shoulder sits higher up a table expanse, and information technology had a canteen of water tucked away in the corner, reading lamp, headphones, and multiple controls.
The lamp and seat command buttons worked equally expected. The overhead low-cal button did non, however. Subsequently nosotros had moved to row half dozen, the overhead light higher up my seat would plow on at random times. Information technology was annoying but tolerable.
There are too USB and universal outlets.
The seat belt is a standard belt only with an attachable shoulder harness for take-off and landing.
The safety information and air sick purse sat in a small pocket at knee-pinnacle.
The foot well isn't the most generous, but it wasn't cramped. However, the shelf sat at a distance where it was a bit too far away to be used every bit a foot rest when in the seated position.
When putting my shoes, blankets, and pillow in the foot well area, information technology held all of them.
I found the admission to the aisle from the seat a chip tight. The space between the plastic molding in front of me and the molding for my console was closer together than it should be. I think I figured out why later (more on that beneath). I had to turn my anxiety sideways to fit through (I wear size 11.five).
Tray Table
The tray table slides out from the console after pushing a push. The push routinely stuck and required a forceful push button to release the table. My wife had the aforementioned feel, then it wasn't just me.
The tray table is full-size and does not fold. It's a expert size and can move frontwards/backward easily, then you tin become it in the right spot for working or eating.
Putting the tray table away is another question. It needed to be inexactly the right spot on the runway to get abroad. It usually took me 5 or half-dozen tries to put information technology away.
Storage
There was a pocket-size pocket (pull-out, difficult shell on the plastic molding) that could be used to store magazines or a book. Information technology definitely can't concur a laptop, and I wouldn't want to keep small-scale items in there that would autumn down/be cumbersome to become out.
Personal Amusement System
When we arrived and got situated in row 5, my married woman's entertainment system wouldn't plow on. Just a black screen. She called for a flight bellboy, and this woman said in that location were known issues with the system. They couldn't get it to plough on, so we moved to row 6 behind usa, as it was empty.
However, these "known issues" continued. The entertainment organisation did not accept whatsoever Television receiver shows or any music.
Count the movies: 4. That'southward it. A nine-60 minutes flight, and they had a total of iv movies. 4 movies plus no TV and no music. It was laughable.
Even though the low-cal to a higher place me flickered, I could bargain with that as a better alternative than my wife non having a working amusement organisation — even with its limited options.
Lavatory
I volition classify this equally the highlight of the cabin / hard product. That'southward proverb something.
The lavatories are more spacious than a traditional, economy lavatory. Several flights I've taken recently only had a normal bath in business organization course, but this was definitely ameliorate. It reminded me some trains with the toilet set in the corner / at an angle.
The sink and mirror weren't anything special. However, they did take air freshener and moisture wipes readily available. Thus, the features of the lavatory weren't that special, simply the space and layout were positives.
The Bed
I saved this for last on purpose. The bed is…not a bed. This flying was marketed as "prevarication-flat" and it admittedly wasn't.
Look at this motion picture. That'south not even 45ยบ. This was the limit of how far I could recline my seat. Lest you think I just had a "bad seat", nosotros tested the seats in row 5 and also observed other people in the cabin. No one was completely flat like a bed.
What'southward the deal here? I've seen other reviews (like this one) that show the bed completely flat. From checking several websites, I found that my flight on January 7, 2022 used a retrofitted plane that is 19 years old. Is that the issue? Exercise new planes accept more space and the seats really "fit"? I'm speculating. The interior was very new and matches reviews of "new" products, merely the plane itself is obviously older.
Perchance there's less infinite front to back, but they jammed in the same number of seats. Thus, the seats are likewise close together to actually go flat. Speculation and giving the do good of the doubtfulness. However, they should Not market this flat as "lie-apartment concern course" because it's entirely deceptive.
It was not comfy trying to slumber in this position, and I just put the seat back upward to normal and skipped my program for a nap.
Wifi
Since I planned to piece of work on the flight (and worked more than than planned, due to not having the expected bed), I hopped on the in-flight wifi.
The speed itself was quite good. However, the ping was terrible. This really slowed down the response fourth dimension for loading websites. I was able to use the wifi and become done what I wanted to — admitting at a slower rate than what I desired, since the speed was negatively afflicted by the bad ping charge per unit.
Service on SAS A330 Business organisation Class Flying – Bad Review Continues
I mentioned that we weren't really greeted at all when nosotros boarded the plane. Additionally, no flying attendants came to say hello to the states. Nosotros only talked to someone because my wife pushed the call button…and so waited. Finally, someone showed up to talk to her about the amusement organisation.
There was no welcome drink earlier take-off, either. Plus, my gut feeling well-nigh the passive-aggressive PA announcement above. All of that was prior to take-off.
Filibuster
Nosotros also departed an hr late. We just got an announcement nigh this afterward near 45 minutes. Between the chaotic boarding, some bug with flight manifest, and trying to get the amusement systems working ("working" significant "on with 4 movies, no Telly, no music"), nosotros left an hour belatedly. Coiffure didn't come around offering water or annihilation during the delay. In fact, they didn't fifty-fifty come talk to us at all. They remained in their seats, seat belts on, chatting with one some other in the front galley.
Language Issues
Calling this section "language issues" is appropriate because at that place SHOULDN'T be a language issue. Our business grade cabin had 32 seats but simply 11 passengers. There were two flying attendants plus a purser. You can't convince me they couldn't remember that we don't speak Swedish.
Without fail, every time the flight attendants came to talk to the states during meal service, taking away trash, etc. they talked to us in Swedish. Every time. Without fail. And every time, nosotros had to say "English?" or like. After about vi.five hours of flight time, I finally told my flight attendant, "We don't speak Swedish. Please utilise English."
The flight crew speaks English. Quite good English, in fact. And then that wasn't the issue. Somehow, they just couldn't remember (couldn't exist bothered to call back?) the ii out of xi people who don't speak Swedish and then speak to us in English language. Needing to constantly remind them about this was strange. I am at a loss for trying to understand or explain this oddity.
Insufficient Cleaning
I volition note ii instances here.
I get that this is not the near obvious of spots, merely I noticed stains while taking pictures of the controls and console area about my seat. This needs better cleaning.
When taking pictures of my foot well in row 6, I was surprised to notice a dirty sock left backside from a previous flying. This matches the sock in the amenity kit, and then it wasn't someone'south personal sock left behind, in case you're wondering.
Nevertheless, this is a pretty glaring oversight on cabin cleaning.
Amenity Kit
Let's talk near some positives. The amenity kit is good.
The case isn't anything special (it's rather boring), only the kit is clogged of stuff. Eye mask, socks, ear plugs, moisturizer, lip balm, bamboo toothbrush, and toothpaste. It didn't go across expectations in any way, just it was a good amenity kit.
Meals
Ignoring the weird "delight speak to me in English" element of the meal service, the actual meals are a cyberspace positive.
Later nosotros were airborne, the purser came to our row and asked, "Were you originally in row 5? You accept special meals, right?" We confirmed that our vegan meals were on board, and good on her for figuring out the connection with the empty seats in row 5.
Since we had special meals, they didn't give united states of america a menu to look at. Thus, I didn't see what the options were.
The first repast had gnocchi as a main course. It was a domicile run.
I'm not sure why our gnocchi was paired with a Samosa (bottom left), as the Indian-Italian combination was a bit across me, but I liked both. We also got warm staff of life from a woman who came effectually with a basket of 3 different options. The salad was a bit tedious, but I'm letting all of this laissez passer because of merely how good that gnocchi was. An excellent principal dish makes upwards for some lackluster sides.
Unfortunately, SAS couldn't go 2-for-2 on the meals. The "light meal before landing" (we took off afterwards 10am Stockholm fourth dimension and landed after 1pm Chicago time) was pretty bland. It had a lentil-veggie patty sitting on acme of some unidentified green vegetables and a bed of lentils. Neither of these had any seasoning. I wasn't super hungry, so I didn't listen not finishing these and just eating the fruits.
The chocolate bar they gave us wasn't vegan, merely my mom was happy to snack on these in the car when picking us up from the airport.
De-Planing
More chaos hither. They just opened the middle door and used the "free-for-all" approach. Flight attendants disappeared. They didn't have business organization class passengers disembark get-go. In fact, 2 people from economy shoved past my married woman to get off before her in this blitz for the door.
Besides, flight attendants didn't stand about the door to say goodbye / thank the states. In fact, no ane came around thanking usa for flight SAS before landing, either. This was odd and not common from my other flight experiences at all.
Overall Thoughts on Service
The flight attendants were really hitting-and-miss. One time we could get them to echo themselves using English, things would go well. I just tin't effigy this out for the life of me. 2 out of 11 people don't speak Swedish. Y'all have 3 employees. And you can't remember this during the flight. What's upward with this?
Cleaning could exist improved a flake, as pointed out.
The meals, though, were the highlight of the service category. Homo…that gnocchi was awesome.
Lavatories and amenity kits were pretty good.
Overall, though, the service needs improvements. There's the language thing and the cleaning aspect. The lack of attending to customers during boarding and pre-takeoff (especially during the 1-hour delay), plus the actual processes of getting on and off the aeroplane.
Concluding Thoughts
I tried to exist fair in my review of SAS business class, but this flying on the A330 from Stockholm to Chicago is easily my worst business organisation form flight experience. Equally we walked away from the flight, I asked my wife, "Was this your worst business organisation class flight ever?"
She rolled her eyes and gave me that 'practice you really need to ask?' face up.
We'll be avoiding SAS. The meal was great, just that doesn't make upwards for anarchy getting on & off, poor service quality, bad cleaning practices, non-functioning entertainment systems, and the ridiculousness of the "it's lie apartment, just information technology's not" with our seats.
Source: https://milestomemories.com/a330-sas-business-class-review-my-worst-business-class-flight-ever/
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