No two experiences are ever the same. Our day flight on SAS business class was totally different from our night journey, so we wanted to do a second review. We recently discussed our first SAS business class experience on an overnight flight from Washington, D.C. to Copenhagen. While we appreciated some aspects, we left underwhelmed and felt premium economy would be fine for the return trip. But because we had already placed an upgrade bid of $355 for our flight home, and SAS accepted it before we remembered to cancel, we ended up in business class again. This time, we’re glad it worked out. The experience on an afternoon flight back to the U.S. was significantly better than the overnight trip. Here’s why.
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SAS Lounge in Copenhagen
The SAS lounge at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) far outshines what we had at Dulles. It’s spacious and modern. The food selection is excellent, with cheese plates, fresh bread, and plenty of snacks. Showers are available, which is perfect before boarding a late-afternoon long-haul flight.
Pro Tip: You’ll need to pass through immigration after visiting this lounge. The process was quick, but we gave ourselves extra time and even visited the Priority Pass lounge on the other side before boarding.
Seating Experience
On our first SAS business class flight, we were automatically assigned seats apart from each other. On the way home, we lucked out. We were seated together in the middle bulkhead row. Because the cabin wasn’t full, we even had the opportunity to change seats if we wanted. Bulkhead seats gave us more legroom and no traffic around our seats since the front lavatories are reserved for crew.
While seat available will vary on any flight, and is up to chance when bidding for an upgrade, this factor significantly added to our enjoyment on this particular flight.
The configuration of the A350 divides business class into two cabins. With lavatories and the galley located between them, our front cabin, though larger, felt private and exclusive.
Boarding
Boarding in Copenhagen was smooth and stress-free, compared to a bit of disorganization at Washington Dulles. A designated Sky Priority boarding lane let us board anytime without queuing in the larger line. Storage space at the bulkhead was ample, and we boarded last without concern about space. Turning left into the front cabin set the tone for a relaxed and premium experience.
Why the Day Flight Shines
On a 10 p.m. departure, most passengers prioritize sleeping. That makes the lie-flat seat the star of the show. But on an afternoon flight, the value of business class shifts. Lounge access, meal service, and onboard comfort take center stage. This is where SAS business class really shined on the way home.
1. Meal Service
The dining experience was far more robust than on the overnight leg. Service began promptly with warm nuts and drinks. Dinner was a full multi-course meal with salad, smoked salmon, a choice of chicken, beef, or pasta, a cheese plate, and dessert. Fresh bread was served with more available. Wine pours were generous and regularly refreshed. Between meals, the galley was stocked with bottled water, chocolates, candies, and snacks. Dinner stretched out for over an hour, creating a true dining experience instead of the rushed service we received on the overnight flight.
2. Comfort and Rest
After dinner, I fully reclined and managed about three hours of restful sleep.
Waking up mid-flight still left plenty of time to relax. I got water from the galley, wrote some notes about our trip, and enjoyed the quiet cabin atmosphere. This experience was pleasantly the same on both legs. We thought the seats were comfortable and well designed.
3. Pre-Landing Meal
About 90 minutes before arrival at Dulles, the crew served a pre-landing meal. I don’t always partake, but I wanted to compare the service. The dish was a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich (smørrebrød). We had shrimp and eggs on rye bread with a side of fruit. It wasn’t as good as the smørrebrød we had in Copenhagen markets (more on that in our food post), but it was fresh and satisfying. It’s a dish I’ve grown to appreciate over years of travel, and it felt fitting to end our trip with a classic Danish option.
A Relaxing Experience at the End of an Adventure
By the time we landed at 8:00 p.m., we were full, relaxed, and ready to head home. The contrast between the overnight and daytime flights was striking.
Overnight flight: the main benefit was the lie-flat seat, but service felt rushed and sleep was limited by cabin lighting.
Daytime flight: the lounge, the longer meal service, and the overall relaxed atmosphere made the upgrade far more enjoyable.
Verdict: If you’re considering whether to bid for an upgrade on SAS, the afternoon flights are where the value really shines. For $355 each, we found the experience worth it. If the lie-flat seat on the overnight flight is the most important aspect, then it’s probably worth it, too, but we would skip it if you’re looking for all the perks that come with premium travel.
Stay tuned for posts on our Scotland adventure, including what to eat in Edinburgh and the best day trips from Inverness.
Up Next
- How to See Copenhagen in a Day Without Breaking the Bank
- Is SAS Business Class Worth It? An Honest Review
- Baltic Travel Itinerary: A Week in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius + Helsinki
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