04.09.2002 - Just returned from my holidays in Scotland with Ciaoer Mike (Aspen). A handful of trave...
04.09.2002 - Just returned from my holidays in Scotland with Ciaoer Mike (Aspen). A handful of travel ops are in preparation. See ya soon.
Member since:17.02.2001
Reviews:61
Members who trust:143
Think of Scandinavian Airlines and, if you are an energetic young man like myself, your imagination may carry you away: a beautiful blonde Stewardess bending far over to serve your meal, a cheeky blink of her eyes suggesting exactly what you had thought of in that moment, and maybe even a part-à-deux on an empty row in the back on a silent night flight, cabin light dimmed.
Thus I was full of anticipation of amorous adventures when I boarded my first flight with Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) around one year ago. Well, what can I say, I have got some bad news for you, guys. I have flown them around a dozen times since to Scandinavia and on connections to Northeastern Europe via Copenhagen, and nothing like that has ever happened. And when you take a look at their REAL stewardesses, you don't want anything like that ever to happen. They are around forty years on average, and you wouldn't turn your head if you saw them on the street. In fact they are a bit cold, and their service is friendly, but not very personal.
I am only describing them in such detail because Keith (flashpointz) had complained on my Lufthansa opinion that I had not mentioned the stewardesses. I hope that reading this opinion will put his naughty mind to rest.
SAS is the airline conglomerate of Sweden, Norway
and Denmark. It is also a founding member of the Star Alliance built around Lufthansa and United Airlines, which now has fifteen member airlines world-wide.
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NETWORK ________
Due to the vast Scandinavian landmass and the low density of the population there, the SAS network within Scandinavia spans around sixty towns from the Northern Cape to the Great Belt in the south, and from Greenland in the west to the Russian border in the East. There are traditionally very good flight connections to the three Baltic States too.
As for the rest of Europe, Scandinavian Airlines fly to all European capitals and some important economic centres, but hardly to any "exotic" destinations. Connections to most of Southern and Southeastern Europe are served by Lufthansa in code-share with SAS, via Lufthansa's hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.
SAS operates intercontinental flights to four cities in North America (New York/Newark, Washington D.C., Chicago and Toronto) and a handful of destinations in the far east. Scandinavian Airlines are particularly popular with travellers to Japan and China, because the polar route from Scandinavia over the North Pole saves around two hours on these flights.
I have, however, only flown with them within Europe so far, thus my review is based on their shorthaul flights. All my flights with them have been in Economy Class, so that is what I will focus on.
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SEAT COMFORT _______________
In this field, Scandinavia Airlines have a problem. The new planes of the Boeing 737 Next Generation series are fitted with seats which can practically NOT be reclined at all. On a two to three hours flight to Stockholm or Helsinki, this can get extremely uncomfortable, although the seat pitch is a good 35inch / 87cm, as on Lufthansa and Swissair.
Better seat comfort is provided onboard the Boeing / McDonnell MD-80 aircraft, where seats can still be reclined, as well as on the MD-90. The latter is fitted with leather seats and foot rests at a wider seat pitch, but unfortunately this aircraft time is currently being phased out.
All seats are fitted with individual phones, which have however been deactivated due to low acceptance by passengers (would you make a phone call for 5$ a minute?). There is no inflight entertainment at all, neither audio or video.
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MEALS ____
I can only tell you about their breakfast, because by coincidence I have only been using SAS on morning flights. (Maybe because I was afraid of being raped by Stewardesses if flying at night. Not a very promising idea, as I explained above.)
Unlike many other European airlines, SAS offers a full breakfast even on short flights of around one hour. SAS doesn't differentiate its meals by European flights and domestic connections. The best part of the breakfast is the hot meal, usually ham and eggs. This is completed by a selection of jam and cheese, together with fresh warm rolls. SAS' Economy Class breakfast can easily compare to those served in the Business Classes of many other airlines.
The downside to their meals is the packing up. The meal comes in a cardboard box, which is ecologically sound, but the drinks are served in plastic cups, which is not.
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FLIGHT SAFETY _______________
Scandinavian Airlines check and maintain all aircraft in their own maintenance centre at Copenhagen Airport. All the planes which have been using have left a very well maintained, new and clean impression. This is however an aspect which is hard to assess as a passenger.
Onboard, the stewardesses (who still haven't become any prettier during the composition of this review) take safety a bit too serious. During take-off and landing, you are not allowed to read a newspaper, but have to place it in the seat pocket in front of you - for safety reasons as they say (same explanation for non-reclining seats, by the way). I have no clue how that might effect safety.
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PRICES _______
SAS frequently offer economy specials to Northern Europe and North America, which are usually below the specials offered by other quality airlines, but can't beat the dumping prices available from KLM and Sabena.
On ALL of their European routes, Scandinavian Airlines permanently have Business Class Specials which come around 20% cheaper than the official IATA fares. Business specials (D-Fares) have become quite common in the airline industry, but most airlines only offer them on selected routes and at certain times of the year. Not so with SAS.
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LOUNGES _________
Scandinavian Airlines have by far the prettiest and best equipped Stew... err... I mean lounges of any European carrier. They come in two classes: SAS Lounges for Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Silver Status holders, and Scandinavian Lounges for Star Alliance Gold Status holders, like myself. :))
The two types of lounges don't differ much in design, only in size and equipment (business centre in the Gold lounge, better selection of snacks). They are both fitted with colourful upholstery in blue, green and burgundy colours, set against a light conifer wooden floor and accessories. The upper end of ambience from the IKEA catalogue, and the most relaxing lounges in Europe. The bar area has a wide selection of drinks and cold snacks on offer, and smokers are not banned to the back end corner, but have a nice separated lounge area for themselves.
It's a real pity that whilst SAS has so inviting lounges, it doesn't provide the beautiful stewardess with whom you would like to share the sofas.
I agree Whole heartedly...
AND don't you just love the comments on the sugar and salt...
An Example -
Imagine if it snowed sugar..
It would look like snow
but a lot more people
would be eating out...
I love it... : )
andrew
ajh@thebigsleep.co.uk
Dalesman 14.07.2001 22:00
I have to be honest in that I have not flown with SAS, but there is a notion that their Cabin Crew would be the typical Scandinavian Blonde beauties, with that suggestive, coffee and roll in the Sauna look in their eyes....I'm getting hot just thinking about it !!!!...easily pleased thats my trouble....however another well written Op Hans and I shall have to reconsider my planned seduction in the mile high club by a SAS blonde hostess !!!!...Andrew
mrpaella 06.06.2001 20:36
Great op. Shame about the lack of blonde stewardesses for you. I went to Sweden in 1974 with my parents. Let me assure you that you will find plenty blondes in the rural areas...Paul
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JVL 22.04.2008 (22.04.2008)
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