Review of SAS flight Stockholm → Manchester in Business

SAS PLUS - a journey into the unknown

Whilst I would never dream of booking SAS Plus from Manchester as no lounge is offered, a surprise awaited me during the booking process of my original MANOSLARNMAN flights.

For around GBP40.00 I could upgrade my Stockholm-Manchester flight to SAS Plus !  SAS Plus, is by no means a true Business Class product. At the very best ( and I am stretching here ) it is an Economy Plus fare at best. As you will see, even with lounge access and priority boarding, this cannot be called true Business Class.  As you will have noted from my Oslo reports last year, SAS Plus has no curtain divider to separate this class from SAS Go ( Economy ).

In SAS' own words ;

Choose SAS Plus to enjoy more comfort and service. On flights within Scandinavia, Finland and Europe the seat comfort is the same as in SAS Go, but to and from Asia, Canada and the US you get a wider seat and extra legroom.

 EUROPE AND SCANDINAVIA

• Coffee and tea ( which you get in SAS Go ( Economy) too
• Meal/snack
• Fast Track
• SAS Lounge
• Priority boarding
• Free WiFi (available on most flights)

I was really excited to try the SAS Lounge at Terminal 5 in Stockholm Arlanda so I naturally went ahead and booked my return in SAS Plus.

On Saturday 29th October 2022, on the SAS LiveChat function, I was 1st in queue.

Rebecka was friendly and polite and asked if I wanted a Lacto Ovo Vegetarian (allowed eggs and dairy)
On hearing I am visiting Stockholm she recommended walking through Gamla Stan (Old Town).
She wished me a great flight and a great weekend.
Definately a more engaging and friendly agent than her colleague before my 1st Oslo flight who was impatient, had no basic knowledge and rushed me off the chat.

On 30th October 2022, I needed to change my number so LiveChatted Natasha.
A lot of security was asked before the number was amended.
An email was immediately received to confirm the number change and Ms Natasha said that my Vegetarian Meal was confirmed for ARN-MAN. 

This is what you came for - as per Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna !

Loving the Manchester guide by Swedavia ( owner/operator of Arlanda)  www.swedavia.se/arlanda/destinationer/manchester/

Useful Checkin and Security Wait Times information on the day of travel at Swedavia website. 

CHECKIN

I Checked out of the Good Morning Arlanda hotel and the Dropoff driver had just dropped off someone to the hotel. The enroute view to the Airport and somewhere behind the snow is the Jumbo Hostel !

Planespotting the night before in Stockholm- this Korean Air Cargo 777 was loud on take off !

Today's weather…brrrr !!!

I was dropped off at T4 – I had time for a photo with the Swedish flags on a sunny day ! It is a 5 minutes walk to T5. 

A little Planespotting enroute to Terminal 5.

Pegasus Airlines A320neo TC-NBJ "Reyyan" pushing back to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen.

It is heartening how Turkish Tourism continues, when, in the weeks before this photo, there was a tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected and those who have lost loved ones.

Norwegian Air Sweden B737-800 SE-RRJ with the Jens Moe tail.
A 737-800 which just two days later would fly Stockholm Arlanda to Manchester !

Mcdonalds at Stockholm Arlanda - a truly International decor !

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In 2022, SAS moved from the  "We Are Travelers"  branding to " Journeys That matter".

I met a Pakistani family – my ears pricked up when the father was speaking in Urdu ! He told me they were flying Stockholm to Pakistan via Dubai on Emirates. Some last minute souvenier shopping !

New York - Fashion capital of the world - but they forget that Sweden is the birthplace of H&M !

They love the 747 at Arlanda ! First the Jumbo Hostel and now this treat hanging from the ceiling !

I nearly joined the very wrong and long queue. 

A lovely friendly lady in the famous Arlanda Skyblue jacket pointed me towards SAS at the bottom of the hall. 

checkin at stockholm arlanda t5

There was a short wait at the SAS Plus/Business counters. I was checked in by Viyana, a very friendly and engaging lady who epitomised the the professionalism that SAS is known for.

I have to say that SAS staff based in their Scandinavian homebases are truly a joy to speak to !

Yes I own an actual SAS Eurobonus card which I carry with pride into/ out of Scandinavia !

After checking in with Viyana, here is where things get weird.

And now a Lost in Translation moment…or is it ?!

Next to the SAS checkin is security – I made a photo of the fastrack sign and 3 second video
A lady hurried over and asked if I had made a photo / taken a video. I said yes as I am a reviewer and Instagrammer and wanted the footage but did not film any person.

She pointed to a sign and even admitted that the sign shouldn’t just be in Swedish, that it is forbidden to photograph or film ANYWHERE in the Airport and in Sweden ( erm ok ).
She politely asked me not to post footage so I will not “ get into trouble ". She was polite throughout but I did find the transaction odd.

I then proceeded to “Fastrack” – the 10 minute queue made me think about my earlier discussion. It then came to me, that perhaps what the lady had meant was that you can’t film/photograph inside the security area ( which I would never ever do and never recommend to anyone either).
A friendly gentleman told me to take my belt off and I proceeded through security. A further body scan was needed as my tie clip set off the alarm. I removed the tied clip and had a further scan and it was ok.

Upon leaving the security area, I spoke to a friendly looking security officer and told him what his colleague had said earlier. He said that whilst it is forbidden to photograph/film inside security, that AFTER security I am fine to do so ! I felt immediately reassured.

I mean to say that it is forbidden to photograph or film anywhere in the airport is a big statement with no weight behind it,
 

STOCKHOLM DUTY FREE

Made in Switzerland and new branding on the way !

SAS LOUNGE STOCKHOLM

Through the world of codeshares I am flying Thai Airways to Manchester !

I began walking to the lounge. The path towards the lounge reminded of MAN T2 (the old part) which is boarded up. But hey I just wanted to get to the lounge ! Aesthetics were not important. It would turn out these would be the very least of my worries.

To get into the lounge you need to get a lift up, which is opposite the SAS Service Point Desk.

2 staff were stood by the entrance – a lovely gentleman named Trulsen and a friendly smiley lady. I was asked if I had a Goldcard to which I replied “ I wish” !

The entrance for SAS plus passengers (but not Gold) is to the right. 

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From this point onwards, all excitement I had to try the lounge would be sorely tested. Leaving at the end of my visit would be the highlight.

When I entered the lounge it was 95% full which did not make me feel very comfortable if I am honest. The idea of a lounge is to relax ; not sit in a glorified bus stop with tables.

I went around and took some photos. As I was doing so I saw a stunning Thai A350 taxying by for take off and it looked beautiful in the Swedish sunlight. 

Star Alliance Sisters at Stockholm Arlanda in 2009 ! Photo credit to original photographer for this beautiful photo.

Thai Airways Stockholm post on their Instagram page !

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I then sat down at a communal table to the sound of a guy (dressed like he is about to go mountain climbing) slurping soup like the world is about to end and it is his last meal. Deeply annoying. What is with people who make noises when eating ? And as for dress code. Really ? Hiking wear in a Business Class lounge ?

I gathered my belongings and moved to a seat that had a USB port. God give me strength for what happened next !

I went and sat down in front of a smart looking guy who was…wait for it…crunching crisps fast and loud again like there is no tomorrow !
I noticed Trulsen walking by and asked if there is a quiet room where I may go to work/eat. He told me yes there and proactively told there is no USB port ( seems to be the norm in Sweden from my own experience in Stockholm the last few days) and brought me a socket ! How thoughtful and kind ! 

Trulsen escorted me to 3 rooms at the back known individually as as The Phone Room. I settled in and plugged in the socket to charge my phone. 

The lounge experience really was a let down and I will say that from this point before I even continue the review.

There did not appear to be any capping of the number of passengers allowed. If I though it was busy when I entered, it would be heaving by the time I left almost 3 hours later.

With SAS offering paid lounge access to passengers from any class, it means the numbers would be higher yet the space is insufficient.

I thought let’s go and get some food. If the packed lounge was a disappointment then here comes the next big let down by SAS. The food offering for a lunchtime visit was not appallingly poor, but the choice was. Based on the labelling/signs and visuals of the offering, I came away to the Phone Room with cookies and crisps, some butternut salad and a bread roll.

I am not sure what the SAS lounge team believe their target market /passenger profile for the lounge but there certainly was not a “ something for everyone theme”. Messages from myself to the SAS Lounge President Birgitta Sandhaag have been ignored to date.
The lack of a filling halal or vegetarian option was very disappointing. Or so I thought. 

1 Regular salad, 1 salad with apple cider vinegar and 1 chicken penne pasta were on offer.

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I went back to the phone Room and noted there was nowhere to hang one’s jacket. Heck there is nowhere to even rest your device if you have food on the ultra small table. I had to balance my mobile on the lampshade to do a videocall. I managed a videocall with no issue but when trying to watch an older episode of Ugly Betty, the internet kept dipping in and out.

My initial food offering for 3 hours in a Premium Lounge. Shocking.

Old branding on fork

Whilst starting to eat the cookies and crisps. I had to remind myself I am a man in his early 40’s travelling on a premium ticket, sat in a Business Class lounge eating food more befitting to a 5 year old child or a flying visit. This annoyed me to the point I had to go and speak to a Duty Manager.

At reception a friendly lady ( the staff had changed from the earlier shift) asked if the complaint was about food in the lounge or onboard, I advised the lounge.

A pleasant lady named Samela ( Shamila) came out. I explained that I was very disappointed with the lounge so far. I told her I was aware that onboard the flight, there would be a cold meal served and that I had expected better things in the lounge.

Whilst talking to Ms Samela, I noted some magazines hidden away behind the counter and asked if I may take one. I was told yes. I was told the other lounge only had 1 extra soup but that the food was exactly the same as in the normal lounge.
Ms Samela said she will arrange some food for me taking into account my halal diet. I would be very surprised with how my visit would change from this point.

An almost year old Swedish language travel magazine - one of a stack of different magazines hidden away behind the reception desk.  Whilst talking to Ms Samela, a female passenger needing help was stood very close to me and I told her to seek help elsewhere as we are in the middle of a conversation.

On my way back to the lounge I was asking a gentleman about the ingredients in the measly food offering – he confirmed the salad had no alcohol added, after confirming with a colleague. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a fellow Pakistani – a lovely cheerful guy who could not have been kinder. All the lounge staff were superstars – a real shame against the otherwise poorly planned, jam packed and scant provisions in the lounge. I got told by staff that the meals will be the same all day yet Ms Samela told me that from 1600pm there will be a new selection including fish.

I went back to the Phone Room to wait. There is nowhere to hang your jacket. I hung it on the door handle. Not the best place as the jacket then touches the floor but hey. The light is bright if you are working and will shine directly onto your device/journal and can't be dimmed. Looking at how Scandinavia and Sweden are leaders in interior design, this dimly lit room is really not the best.

Manager Samela and a lovely gentleman named Sega arrived at the Phone Room and he confirmed that he would bring me Halal food ! I was impressed. Ms Samela had arranged that I get food from the staff meals – I did check that there is enough food for the staff and was told there is ample provision.

Sega then returns with a decadent spicy chickpea curry and rice which were fragrant as well as a spicy chicken stew. As he is also Muslim he could verify that these foods as well as the chicken pasta are all Halal ! Yet the labelling by the chicken pasta did not mention that the chicken is halal. What a turnaround. Delicious and filling food !

From poor food offerings to the best dining in the house ! What a turnaround ! 

Please tell me the lounge will be expanded if the below photo,taken in the lounge, is anything to go by !

If I thought the lounge was busy when I entered, then passengers were packed into it like sardines when I left. I was glad to leave, I really was. A waste of money in my opinion and not an experience I would ever recommend. There needs to be a capping of passenger numbers. That or expand it to house the world as was the case during my visit. Very very dissappointed as I had expected better things at one of SAS' home hubs.

The only good point of the lounge was that there are no announcements and despite fishmarket conditions, there was no noise pollution ( no doubt white noise deflectors are fitted ). 

For eagle eyed AVgeeks - British Midland SAS reunited in 2023 !

to the gate

I began walking to the gate at 1530pm – enroute I heard an announcement for Manchester bound passengers to proceed through Passport Control and to gate F60.   

SAS A320neo EI-SIA …Super slick in Stockholm !

The gate is a secure area like Oslo. Once you show your Passport and boarding pass, you can't exit the gate area so make sure you do any food/gift shopping and even washroom visits beforehand as the gate area ( I am told) only has washrooms. I doubt they are unlimited and the queues will be long.

At the gate were the very pleasant Ms Irina and Mr Ali of SAS, both very professional,friendly and polite as they checked passports and scanned boarding passes. I also met the lovely flight dispatcher Victor who was most friendly and polite. What I love about actual SAS staff in the Scandinavian countries and especially on this trip is they are exceptionally polite,professional and very committed to representing SAS in the best way. 

I see you baby !

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boarding sk2549 to manchester

Preboarding is a perk of SAS Plus but I managed to get pre preboarding ! General boarding began at 1620pm. Next door an Air China A350 from Beijing parked up and passengers disembarked.

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I was welcomed onboard in a most friendly manner by the female Purser and the Airhostess who would be serving the SAS Plus passengers. When I mentioned the commitment of SAS staff earlier ?
The Purser had a very visible plaster in the middle of her forehead. I do think that SAS should have given her paid time off to let the wound recover. That said, her service would be outstanding through the flight ! 

First time on SAS Plus - a filthy seat meant that I took the headrest cover from 1B which I knew was a free seat and placed the cover on the back of this seat so I may sit in reassurance that I won't stand up with a chocolate butt ! The chocolatey stain was fresh. Here is hoping it was chocolate. Poor impression.

It was kind of funny hearing the crew say Hej Hej to every passenger as they boarded ! During the announcements I liked to hear that "when you have your seat please step aside to let other passengers take their seats". A pet hate of mine when people block aisles as if they are flying in their own private Jet.

An Airhostess took my jacket to hang in the wardrobe and immediately the comment on last year’s OSLMAN that there is nowhere to hang my jacket came to mind.  I felt bad that I had been misinformed. But I guess that that Airhostess last year just didn't want to say that wardrobes are for SAS Plus passengers only.

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It would have been nice to be offered a hot scented towel and a boiled sweet - for a so called Premium product the lack of such touches was very noticeable.

There was a friendly announcement from the cockpit advising a flight time of 2hrs 15 minutes. At 1645pm we pushed back and crew began the manual safety demo. I will presume it was in Swedish followed by an English summary. There was also an announcement to refrain from eating nuts as someone had a nut allergy.

I had requested the Swedish flag ceiling moodlighting be switched on and was pleasantly surprised during taxi that an announcement was made that as a tribute to Sweden the lights were being switched on ! The Purser even came buy to ask me if I am happy ! 

Pushback and Taxi. Nordica of Estonia looking beautiful and blue ! I do miss Estonian Air which had my favourite livery ever.

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take off - farvel stockholm !

After a short taxi to the runway at 1655pm, we departed the Snowy Swedish landscape to get into sunny skies.

I was on 1A and my neighbour on 1C was only the head of the Australian Eurovision Delegation !

She had been in Iceland and then Sweden ( the night before the flight was MelodiFestivalen where 12 acts competed to represent Sweden)  – all were amazing and I am glad I was in Stockholm at the same time ! ) 

Anyone know what this runway is ? Please let me know in the comments.

inflight service

Very impressed with the traytable which extends out quite far ! When sitting ( briefly) on Kuwait Airways A320neo to Kuwait last year, the traytable at my bulkhead seat opened a few inches and then was wedged onto my belly. Very pleasant surprise here on SAS !

SAS EuroClass menucard of the past - this should come back albeit maybe in a smaller format.

Let's see what is inside. 

Dear God ! Please don't tell me my vegetarian meal has alcohol ? SAS fly to Muslim countries like Turkey and Lebanon
(and Pakistan in the past ) and must surely know that in the absence of a Muslim Meal ( MOML) the next obvious choice for a Muslim passenger will be Vegetarian ? So how have they managed to have alcoholic vinegar in a Vegetarian meal ? It turns out that these vinegar types are suitable for Muslim passengers.  The ingredients were not known until I was served the meal onboard. SAS surely know weeks in advance if not a few days in advance as to the catering rotation of this meal and therefore should make the ingredients known online at the time of purchase or by email in the days leading upto the flight to let passengers change their choice if need be ?

No sticker to summarise the content. Only a huge ingredients list. But don't worry, I managed to get the description for my lovely readers !

A creamy potato salad flavoured with lemon and wild garlic, served with pickled red onions, accompanied by a spread made of vegan cream cheese flavoured with roasted leeks and lemon and served with Chilli/lime flavored pieces of fermented peas.

Lovers of Pakistani / Indian food will see the so called chilli/lime as Pakora !

App description of the Vegetarian meal. No mention of the vinegars used. The meal isn't cheap and doesn't even come with a drink.

The jetFlyer loves to eat as you know from past reports  ! I also got my neighbour's standard SAS Plus meal this evening as she didn't want hers !

The long Macaronis are wax beans and the ones that look like sliced potatoes are pickled yellow beets. The potato salad also has wine/cider vinegar.

SAS are no stranger to flying to Muslim countries. As per the below map from an older issue of Scanorama, they used to fly to Pakistan. You can just about see a line to Karachi. 

Which brings me to another debate as to why SAS do not serve Pakistan from Oslo and Copenhagen, both being home to two of the world's largest Pakistani expat communities. Daily year round lucrative revenue is being lost yet SAS lately state they have financial issues.

Time for some after Dinner artisan chocolates by Swedish chocolatier Hedh Escalante- of which I may only have one as the other has alcohol in it. I did ask if they had more flavours but only these two had been loaded.

They remind me of Thai Airways Kanvela artisan chocolates.

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Even in a "premium" service, no SAS branding is on the paper towel serviette or beverage cup. It is little things like this which all add up to brand recognition. Sadly, someone at SAS believes that less is more and they are passionate about that belief.

The wipe has a boring description and has a very clinical scent that smells more like a hospital than an aircraft cabin. A more gentler lemon scent would be a lot nicer.

Time to indulge and enjoy the SAS Plus menu ! At one time in the past SAS had brightly coloured and fully branded menus which also clearly told you that SAS Plus passengers may have anything for free !

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Ringi was very tangy and didn't enjoy it at all.

The menu looks ok but SAS used to have very brightly coloured BuyOnBoard menus that at least encouraged you to buy. Branding was excellent too in the past. A far cry now from when it was "New Nordic by SAS" cuisine.

My neighbour, who SAS upgraded at the last minute for fee, did not know that and only knew this by me telling her. And I only know by reading online reviews ! I wonder why this is such a big secret at SAS ? 

The Purser, on seeing my collection of items, offered and gave me a carrier bag. Another thoughtful touch was when she opened out the middle seat tray so I may photograph my meals ! Very Thai Airways style thoughtfulness !

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inflight entertainment

Wifi was activated by entering the PNR ( Passenger Name Record ) more often known as Booking Reference, into the page that pops up.

Oh man. Some things you wish you could unsee. Disgusting. This is under the seat.

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A week later, SK2549 would be operated by SE-ROI,my Copenhagen-Stockholm aircraft and a week after that…airBaltic !

crew of sk2549

Crew were polite,attentive,courteous and real Scandinavians ! 

I was served by the Female Purser and an Airhostess. SAS GO were served by a young Steward and Airhostess. He smiled at me when passing by during the flight.

Service with a true Scandinavian smile One of the crew is even famous !

the way back home

The queue for the forward washroom remained constant throughout the flight. Imagine on a longhaul flight in Business Class if Economy passengers kept using the Premium washrooms ! SAS cannot bring back a curtain divider soon enough.

Mr 1F had his shoes on the seat pocket the whole flight. I do honestly think Airlines should publish common courtesy rules as they seem to get less and less these days. 

Swedish moodlighting again and this made several passengers take photos. They are welcome !

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Bizarre people with First World Problems at the end of the flight. A very irate lady whose wheelchair had not arrived and acted like it's the end of the world. Then an older gentleman who asked the crew if he could use the occupied forward washroom. The Purser had to tell him twice he can't use it whilst it is occupied. He then made a bizarre reference to my faith whilst I had a photo with a crewmember who looked after me.  The Captain came out into the airbridge as I was leaving to thank me for my love towards SAS which he said he really appreciated. I told him it is the crews who make SAS and he was so happy to hear this. The crews of this trip were a complete departure from last year and in a good way !

Welcome to Manchester !

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Well, SAS , you might want to read my detailed reports as to what I think ! As your " few questions "do not even begin to cover your areas that need improving.

I was pleased to get points for OSLCPH as they were not expected. Also love these 2 new app features which track my SAS history so far.

the vinegargate diaries

Regards Vinegar gate both in the lounge and onboard, through my own knowledge and then further research onboard using the WiFi, I was partially satisfied that the Red Wine and Apple Cider Vinegars are suitable for Muslims as any alcohol trace evaporates during distilling/cooking. Despite raising the Vinegar matter with cookin.se and then much higher in SAS, it was 3 weeks after the flight I got told by SAS that no alcohol exists in the vinegars. 

Based on my knowledge,research and SAS's formal response I do honestly think SAS need to be a lot more clearer about ingredients. They should put a note about the vinegars alongside the pre-order meal selections as well as on labelling.