Planning a trip to Stockholm in the warmer months, I was excited to return after several years of missing my annual visit to the city. I usually opt for a nonstop flight with SAS from Newark Liberty, but this time I decided to try something new and booked a one-stop flight with a layover in Copenhagen to avoid the chaos of Newark. I booked SAS Plus premium economy with the hope of getting upgraded to business class – and that’s exactly what happened.
Using the Plusgrade upgrade platform, I was able to secure the upgrade as long as my bid was within the minimum amount. What’s more, SAS has now integrated this platform into its own iOS app, making the process seamless. I received the upgrade confirmation before check-in opened, allowing me to select a new seat during the check-in process. It’s worth noting that SAS does not allow seat changes between booking and check-in, so I had to act fast to secure my desired seat.
SAS operates out of Terminal 1 at JFK, but will move to the New Terminal One in 2026. Business class passengers have access to the Air France lounge, which is a significant upgrade from SAS’s own cramped lounge at Newark. Although Air France’s lounge may not be the best, it’s still better than what SAS offers in its own space.
Boarding of the Airbus A330-300 was efficient and finished ahead of schedule, which is impressive considering the overcrowded and chaotic terminal. Despite the aircraft and interior product being about a decade old, SAS has done a great job of keeping the cabin and seats in excellent condition. However, I did notice that my seat cushion felt a bit flimsy.
The seat design may not be as modern as some other airlines’ suites and mini-suites, but it still offers a lie-flat, all-aisle-access product. We had a smooth takeoff and climb out of JFK, with spectacular views along the way. Even Long Island looked beautiful from up above!
The cabin crew provided a great dinner service after takeoff, striking a balance between quality and speed. I appreciated how the plated options were laid out on a cart, and once I made my selection, the dish was placed on my tray table. This was a step up from receiving a single tray with all items of the meal at once.
The quality of the meal was slightly above average, but to be expected when flying out of JFK. For dessert, I was presented with blackberry cheesecake and fresh fruit.
SAS has historically disappointed me with its limited entertainment options, but there has been some improvement. However, there is still room for more content. I found it strange that SAS offered a whole channel dedicated to Clint Eastwood films, with at least 20 movies in this category. Nonetheless, it was nice to see SAS paying attention to content curation, even if it wasn’t to my taste.