Should You Fly SAS to Europe? What to Know First
SAS costs less than American, Delta, or United to Europe, and the seat can be better in some ways, even if the overall experience feels less premium in others. We’ve flown SAS in economy, premium economy, and business class across the Atlantic, and sometimes paid a fraction of the fare, with the bonus of a long layover to explore Copenhagen. This guide covers when SAS is a strong option, where it falls short, and which cabins are worth your money.
Flying SAS to Europe at a Glance
| Economy (SAS Go) | 3-3-3 on the A350 with about 5 inches of recline, which beats the 3 inches on most US carriers |
| Premium economy (SAS Plus) | Our value pick: 2-4-2, a wider seat, and more recline for a fare that often beats US carriers in economy. SAS Plus Review: Worth It to Europe? |
| Upgrade to business class | Bidding process is easy to move up from SAS Plus on the long haul, which is our favorite way to score a lie-flat seat for less. Is SAS Business Class Worth It? An Honest Review |
| Typical fare | SAS Go is typically $500 to $600, SAS Plus $900 to $1,600, and business about $5,000, though upgrades from SAS Plus are a significant value |
| Best cabin for value | SAS Plus, especially since connecting legs are in premium economy or business on the Europe portion |
| Upgrade odds | You can win lie-flat business bids on the long haul for under $400 per person each way. Read our step-by-step guide to SAS upgrade bidding |
| Recline advantage | More recline than the US carriers in both economy and premium economy |
| Where it falls short | You pay extra for seat selection, and it doesn’t feel as premium as some competitors |
| Best for | Value seekers heading to Europe who’d connect somewhere regardless |
| Skip if | You want a luxury business class, you’re headed to Southern Europe, or there’s a good direct flight to your destination |
| Copenhagen layover | You’ll likely have a long layover in Copenhagen. See our Copenhagen layover guide. |
Why Fly SAS to Europe?
The value is the main reason. SAS flies direct long-haul routes from several major US cities into Copenhagen, and the fares often come in far below what you’d pay to fly on a US carrier, especially in premium economy (or business class if you’re willing to change a bid). We keep booking it for a great price, a comfortable seat across the Atlantic (with more recline than US carriers), a premium or priority connection onward inside Europe if you book SAS Plus or higher.
Our usual strategy is to find a cheap direct flight to a European hub and then book a separate budget airline to our ultimate destination, which means a tight seat and extra fees for any comfort. Flying SAS Plus, however, gives us connecting legs in premium economy or business class depending on the flight, and it’s all on one itinerary.
👉 We break down the fare valuation in our SAS Plus premium economy review, and we cover even more options in our guide to cheap premium economy flights to Europe.
Who Shouldn’t Fly SAS to Europe
SAS isn’t the right call for every trip, and we’d steer you elsewhere in three cases.
You Want a Luxury Business Class
SAS business class is a good product, not a glamorous one. It can’t compete with Delta One or the single pods on United Polaris High J. It’s far better than the narrowbody product offered by Aer Lingus or TAP Air Portugal on a long-haul, but if luxury is your goal, this isn’t the right fit.
You’re Connecting to Southern Europe
Copenhagen is in the north, so a connection down to Spain, Italy, or Portugal adds real flying time compared to a hub like Paris. We fly French Bee to Paris for cheap when that’s the better geography. We did take SAS all the way to Mallorca once, but that was for a low fare in a high-fare season, plus intra-European business class on the connection. That business class is economy with the middle seat blocked, still a step up from flying Transavia, France’s budget carrier.
There’s a Direct Flight to Your Destination
SAS makes the most sense when you’d connect somewhere regardless. We wouldn’t fly SAS to London, since direct options are easy. We did fly it to Edinburgh for cheap business class won through a bid, because that trip needed a connection anyway.
Luxe-for-Less Tip: SAS works best on value when a layover is already part of your trip. If you can fly direct to your final destination for a similar price, take the direct flight.
Which SAS Cabin Should You Book?
It depends on your budget and how much the seat matters to you. Here’s how we think about the three options on the long haul.
SAS Economy (SAS Go): The Budget Option
SAS Go is the standard economy cabin, and it’s the lowest fare to Europe. The A350 economy layout is 3-3-3 with a 17.5-inch seat and about 5 inches of recline, which beats the 3 inches most US carriers give you in economy. For $80 each, you can pay to select one of the two-seat rows at the front of the cabin, which is a good move for couples who want to sit alone. It’s a tight seat for a transatlantic flight, but the fare and the extra recline make it workable if you’re keeping costs down.
SAS Plus (Premium Economy): The Best Value Pick
This is what we purchase most of the time. SAS Plus is the premium economy product on long-haul flights, with a wider 2-4-2 seat, more recline than the US carriers, and a fare that is sometimes half. It’s a real step up from economy without paying business class fares.
👉 Read our full review here: SAS Plus Review: Worth It to Europe in Premium Economy?
SAS Business Class: The Splurge
If you want a lie-flat seat and full service, SAS delivers a great business class product, even if service was a little insistent on our overnight journey. Whether it’s worth the splurge depends on the fare, your budget, and the length of your trip.
👉 We walk through the seat, food, and lounge in our honest SAS business class review, and our SAS day flight comparison here.
The Upgrade Bid: The Best of Both Worlds
This is our favorite strategy. We book SAS Plus at a great cash price, then bid to move up to business class on the long-haul legs. We’ve won those bids for under $400 per person each way, which can turn a premium economy fare into a lie-flat one for far less than booking business outright. It only works if you’d be happy staying in premium economy, so treat it as a bonus.
👉 We explain the whole process in our guide on how to bid for a SAS business class upgrade.
Will You Have a Layover in Copenhagen?
Most likely, yes. Copenhagen is SAS’s main hub, so unless you’re ending your trip there, you’ll connect through it to other European destinations. A lot of travelers see a long connection as a hassle, but we see it as a bonus, especially if the times allow you to get out and explore the city center.
Copenhagen is close to the airport, easy to reach by train, and one of our favorite cities in Europe. You get a second destination folded into a trip you were taking anyway, and the logistics are about as easy as a European stopover gets. So when we book SAS, we often look for the longer connection on purpose to check out more of Denmark’s capital or revisit our favorite spots.
How Long Is the Layover, and Can You Leave the Airport?
The train from Copenhagen Airport to the city center takes about 15 minutes, and the station is right at the airport, so leaving the terminal is worth it even on a medium layover. Our rule of thumb: with 5 hours you can leave if your onward flight stays inside the Schengen zone, and with 6 hours you can leave if you’re re-clearing customs and immigration. Under 5 hours, stay at the airport and use one of the Copenhagen Airport lounges or the terminal food hall.
We break the timing down by window, cover luggage storage, the train ticket app, and exactly what to do with 5, 6, or 8 hours in our Copenhagen layover guide. If you know you’ll have the time, read this before you fly so you can arrive with a plan. 👉 Copenhagen Layover Guide: What to Do in 5 to 8 Hours
Pro Tip: Build in a buffer. Aim to be back at the airport at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before your next departure, more if you’re clearing security.
What Should You Do in Copenhagen on a Layover?
Start with food. Copenhagen is an expensive city, but the food halls are where you’ll find amazing local and international dishes for way less. Torvehallerne, the city’s glass-halled food market, is a direct 15-minute ride from the airport and the fastest way to eat something authentic before your next flight. With more time, add the Nyhavn canal and Tivoli Gardens, which are both central and walkable.
👉 We map out a full day in our guide to seeing Copenhagen in a day, which works for a long layover or a proper stopover.
If food is your priority, our Copenhagen food tour walks you through the best bites in the city center and doubles as a walking tour. Either way, skip the Little Mermaid. It’s further from the center than it looks and underwhelms nearly everyone who makes the trek.
Where Should You Stay for a Copenhagen Layover?
If your layover is overnight, you have two good options: sleep at the airport before an early flight, or sleep in town and see more of the city. Because the airport is so close to the center, either works. Here’s where we’d book:
Clarion Hotel Copenhagen Airport: Book this for an early flight and zero stress. It’s a short covered walk from Terminal 3, so there’s no shuttle and no transfer. You can still hop the train into the city for the evening and come back to sleep a short walk to your gate.
citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen: Our favorite option for a night in town. It’s on City Hall Square, minutes from Tivoli Gardens and its food hall, and has an excellent lobby bar with a view of the square from up top.
Hotel Bethel Sømandshjem: If you’d rather wake up on the Nyhavn canal, this puts you right at the famous colorful buildings. Rooms are simple, but you step out the door onto the postcard canal with restaurants and food halls all a short walk away. It’s great when you’re super short on time and want to feel like you really saw the sights of Copenhagen.
👉 CitizenM Review: 8 Things We Love and 4 Things We Hate
Is Flying SAS to Europe Worth It?
For us, yes, when you combine all the perks. To be clear, SAS sometimes feels closer to a low-cost carrier, but the premium economy fares and business class upgrade options are hard to beat, and the airline does some things exceptionally well. The seats and recline are very comfortable, the connecting European legs come with premium or priority treatment if you book Plus or Business. The upgrade bidding system gives you a real shot at lie-flat seat for cheap. And the Copenhagen layover provides a second adventure in a city we love.
The amenity kits are basic, and the food in SAS Plus is standard. Our service and crews among flights have ranged from exceptional to a bit rude, but that’s pretty much expected on US carriers, too. So, when weighing the pros and cons, we’d gladly pay $1,500 to Europe in premium economy on SAS when other airlines are charging $2,500 these days. It’s not that much different.
My only hesitation would be if I could get to my destination directly on another airline. SAS usually works best from a value perspective when we would have a layover regardless.
👉 For info on fare perks, baggage policies and more, visit Fly SAS
👉 Would you rather fly direct to Paris with the same cost savings? Check out our complete guide to French Bee premium economy.
Flying SAS to Europe FAQ
Is SAS a Good Airline to Fly to Europe?
For value, yes. SAS flies direct long-haul routes from the US into Copenhagen, Denmark (and sometimes Stockholm, Sweden), and the fares typically beat US carriers by far for a comparable seat. The premium economy product, SAS Plus, has more recline than its US rivals, and the connecting legs inside Europe come with premium or priority treatment.
How Long Is a Layover in Copenhagen?
It varies by itinerary, but SAS connections through Copenhagen often run several hours to overnight. Some times are inconvenient for a meaningful stopover, but others give you time to explore. With 5 hours you can leave the airport for a Schengen onward flight, and with 6 you can leave even if you’re clearing customs. The train into the city takes about 15 minutes each way.
Can You Leave Copenhagen Airport During a Layover?
Yes, and it’s easy. The train station is right at the airport and reaches central Copenhagen in about 15 minutes. Store your bags in the airport lockers, buy a train ticket in the DOT Tickets app, and head into the city center.
Should You Upgrade to SAS Business Class?
It depends on the fare and how much the lie-flat seat matters to you. The best value is often to book SAS Plus and bid for a business upgrade on the long haul, which can win for under $400 per person each way.
👉 We cover the decision in should you upgrade to SAS business class and the bidding process in how to bid for a SAS business class upgrade.
Have you flown SAS to Copenhagen? Let us know in the comments how you spent your layover.