Review of SAS flight Stockholm → Nice in Business

Conclusion

Comfort on this flight was typical of an intra-European J product with the middle seat empty. I was lucky that on this segment nobody occupied the middle seat. I truly think that SK should get the middle seat blocked on SK + cabins. I can live with downgraded catering for this fare, but comfort should not be compromised.

FA was excellent with a great attitude and that showed in her friendly and smiling demeanor.

The meal was disappointing, but for the fare that I paid I can't complain much.

There was no entertainment as such.

We were supposed to depart at 1605 and actually left at 1614. Arrival was scheduled for 1910 and we arrived at 1916.

16 Comments

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  KL651 — TEAM 4515 Comments 2014-10-22 21:40:44

  Thanks for this FR, SK really isn't very documented here.

  The meal you got looks decent, too bad it didn't taste good. However, the presentation could be improved, especially on longer flights such as ARN-NCE.

  2014-10-22 21:40:44

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 04:45:20

  I agree with you that the meal could be improved. It would be great if there are two choices with one of them being a hot dish.

  Thanks.

  2014-10-23 04:45:20

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  lagentsecret — 12446 Comments 2014-10-22 23:27:17

  Thanks for sharing this FR

  You had to clear the security again during your transit but ARN got good marks anyway

  The lounge looks very basic

  Fresh meal made for you lol but not really to your taste and not appetizing

  Great pictures on approach

  2014-10-22 23:27:17

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 04:55:02

  You had to clear the security again during your transit but ARN got good marks anyway
  I gave ARN airport an 8 for security and immigration efficiency even though I had to clear security again because it was quick and handled courteously by the security staff. Signs were easy to follow and clearly marked. It's not a 10 experience for sure but I feel that the score was justified.

  The lounge looks very basic
  It was basic with simple food offerings. Soup and salad are the main components and I'm sure that those on a diet would find it ideal.

  Fresh meal made for you lol but not really to your taste and not appetizing
  Maybe I am becoming a food snob. After all they say that birds of the same feather flock together ;)

  Thanks for the compliments about the aerial approach and your visit as usual.

  2014-10-23 04:55:02

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  Esteban — TEAM GOLD 15930 Comments 2014-10-22 23:41:58

  Thanks for sharing, do they dare to call that business ?

  2014-10-22 23:41:58

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 05:12:08

  SK+ is a product that suffers from an identity crisis. It behaves like J on the ground but in the air it is another product. Its fare can sometimes be the same as J.

  I originally checked for award tickets flying on SK using both UA and AV miles. Under both websites SK+ is considered a J cabin and is charged accordingly.

  Thanks.

  2014-10-23 05:12:08

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  KévinDC — TEAM GOLD 5759 Comments 2014-10-23 02:37:35

  I've flown SK a few times in the early 2000s and I remember thinking it was a decent carrier, but have heard that things have gone downhill over the past 10 years. So is SK+ a premium economy product...if so, you should indicate the class of travel as Premium Economy. I'm really surprised that on a long-ish intra-European flight like this they don't have a Business cabin (i.e. blocked middle and curtain separator). Thanks for sharing!

  2014-10-23 02:37:35

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 05:17:03

  SK+ is premium economy in the air but on my boarding pass it is stated as class C which to my knowledge signifies a business class fare. In addition as I mentioned to Esteban above some *A partners sell this cabin as J. I have made the change at the top to reflect this as a Business class flight.

  Thank you Kevin.

  2014-10-23 05:17:03

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  SKYTEAMCHC — GOLD 8880 Comments 2014-10-23 11:05:57

  Thanks for sharing this flight report with us.
  I have flown once this route , at the time in business class and have a good souvenir of this flight.
  A great FA and a decent meal ( it looks good but should have more taste) are the strong points of this experience.
  I agree about the comment of the identity crisis at SAS and their products : They always seem to hesitate on what they want to offer to their passengers. The global experience is contrasted and does not help to build the brand.

  2014-10-23 11:05:57

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 20:24:03

  I understand that at one point SK operated a 3 cabin on intra-European flights - Business, Economy Extra and Economy. In order to simplify things they decided to just have 2 cabins and SK+ along with SK Go were created. SK+ should have been the equivalent to J by default, but I guess the airline decided to modify it a bit in order to make it more attractive for the more cost conscious passengers. The thing is that if you are flying from overseas with SK in J and you are connecting to an intra-European flight, you are placed in SK+. If I were one of those passengers, I would not be happy with a middle seat that is not blocked and this type of catering.

  Thank you for your thoughts.

  2014-10-23 20:24:03

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  AirCanada881 — 1617 Comments 2014-10-23 13:51:55

  Thanks for sharing this report, lovely photos! I had to reclear Security coming in from Istanbul and going to BTS, was weird!

  2014-10-23 13:51:55

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 20:25:42

  You would think that ARN would be more efficient when it comes to connections as a hub. That is the major flaw that I see with this airport.

  Thanks.

  2014-10-23 20:25:42

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  Abyssin — 257 Comments 2014-10-23 18:20:57

  Thanks for sharing this FR with us.

  The lounge look quite nice even if the catering is basic, but for sure with a swedish touch!

  I'm very disappointed with the in-flight product this is not a J even a C ....but thanks again as this remenbered me my first flight, onboard a brand new DC9 in F (was in the 60's).

  2014-10-23 18:20:57

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-23 20:31:11

  You are lucky to have experienced true F back then. I'm sad to see that the SK inflight product has deteriorated to this point compared to what it was before.

  I like the minimalist and clean style of Scandinavian design and this lounge has that touch as you said.

  Thanks.

  2014-10-23 20:31:11

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  Caribel — 113 Comments 2014-10-24 09:50:32

  I imagine the limited on-board meal service is due to the diminutive sized galley on the 737-600.

  Hope to read your opinion of grilled sardines at Jan, mojitos at Gossip Bar, olive-artichoke risotto at Olive & Artichaut or stuffed quail at Les Deux Canailles. Enjoy!

  2014-10-24 09:50:32

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  jetsetpanda — AUTHOR 2294 Comments 2014-10-25 05:02:48

  Alas, I am afraid that my gastronomic pursuits this time will fall short of your expectations as most of my meals were homemade, thought I can assure you that they tasted just as great as those of any worthy establishment since they were expertly created by lagentsecret. However, I have noted your worthy suggestions for any prospective visits to the area in the future.

  While some people might make the most out of a trip by sightseeing as much as they can, others might spend a better part of their time staring at the ceiling of their rooms. ;) To each his own as they say.

  Thank you for your thoughtful comments as always.

  2014-10-25 05:02:48