In this comparison between SAS Business Class and SAS Premium Economy I hope to help you decide which travel class is best for you.
Both travel classes have their own perks, with Business Class having the most obvious ones. However, you’ll find (as I have) that Premium Economy has some highlights as well, and that for some people (and on some routes), it is to be preferred over the more expensive seats in Business Class.
On my last flight between Norway and the US I ended up keeping my seat in Scandinavian Airlines/SAS Premium Economy, as opposed to upgrading to Business Class (like I normally try to do using their bid for upgrade system). I’ll share my thoughts on whether this was the right call or not below!
Please note, this article covers Scandinavian Airlines Business and Premium Economy for long-haul flights. I am not covering SAS Business class within Europe (formerly Premium/SAS Plus).
Table of Contents
SAS Business Class vs Premium Economy: Quick Overview
I try to break down the most important areas of comparison in the table below. However, I recommend you read the entire article for a better understanding!
| SAS Business Class | SAS Premium Economy | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat pitch/recline | Fully lie-flat beds | Increased recline compared to Economy |
| Comfort | Wide, comfortable seats with massage function | Wide, comfortable seat and leg rest |
| Entertainment | 15,4-inch screen | 12-inch screen (Economy has 9″) |
| Meal service & food | 3-course meal served separately, attentive and more personal service, open snack bar throughout the flight | “3-course” meal, but all served on a tray at the same time, very good food still and great service |
| Amenities | Amenity kit with eye mask, ear plugs, tooth brush, hand lotion. Noise-cancelling headphones. Blanket and pillow. Slippers for longer overnight flights. | Simple “comfort kit” with eye mask, ear plugs and tooth brush. Blanket and pillow. |
| Airport perks | Lounge access, Fast track, priority boarding | Priority boarding |
Side note: check out all my airline reviews and upgrade hacks here!
Seat Comfort & Onboard Space
When it comes to space and sleeping capability, this is where you’ll find the biggest difference.
- SAS Business Class: As I cover in my detailed SAS Business Class review, the seats on their long-haul Dreamliners are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration with fully flat beds. You get a pillow, a proper duvet, and a seat that reclines all the way flat so you can actually sleep on overnight flights. That said, as I noted in that review, I do miss the ability to adjust the leg rest and seat back independently, something I discovered (and loved) when flying Ethiopian Airlines Business Class.
- SAS Premium Economy: On long-haul flights (whether on their standard aircraft or the A321LR Neo I wrote about in my SAS Premium Economy review), you get a much wider seat with extra pitch, a deep recline, and a fold-out footrest. While it doesn’t fold flat into a bed, it is a big upgrade from standard economy. Compared to other premium economy products I’ve tested (like my experience flying with Eurowings Discover Premium Economy) SAS delivers a very comfortable, elevated seat.
The Verdict: If you need 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep on an overnight flight, Business Class wins hands down. But if you are flying a daytime route or just want extra legroom without paying business-class prices, Premium Economy is more than good enough.
Food, Drinks & Meal Experience
Eating in the skies is one of my favorite parts of long-haul travel, especially when travelling Business Class. In this case, there is a gap between the two travel classes (as expected).
- SAS Business Class: You get multi-course meals served on real china with a proper menu and curated wine list. They even offer an in-flight snack bar throughout the flight where you can help yourself to drinks, chocolate, and snacks, a feature I haven’t even had when flying business with Qatar Airways or Emirates Business Class!
- SAS Premium Economy: Meals are served all at once on a single tray, and while the food quality is better than standard economy (with metal cutlery and actual glasses), it is a simpler affair. There are fewer choices, so if you are picky about seafood like I am, you might want to look into special meal options beforehand.
The Verdict: Business Class offers a true restaurant-style dining experience. Premium Economy food is good, but if gourmet multi-course dining is your top priority, Business takes the crown (though my heart still belongs to the amazing mezze on Qatar Airways, which I talk about in my Emirates vs. Qatar Business Class comparison).
Airport Perks & Ground Experience
Before you even step foot on the plane, both cabins give you a head start over standard economy.
- Both Classes Include: Priority check-in, SAS Fast Track security, priority boarding, and increased baggage allowances.
- The Big Differentiator: Lounge Access. When you fly SAS Business Class, lounge access is fully included. When you fly Premium Economy, lounge access is not automatically included unless you hold matching SkyTeam/EuroBonus status or buy access separately.
The Verdict: If you love arriving early to relax in the lounge with a coffee or a glass of wine before boarding, Business Class saves you the extra step (and cost) of booking lounge access separately.
Amenities & Onboard Extras
- Business Class: You get noise-canceling headphones to use during the flight and a nice amenity kit (their 80th-anniversary pouch was a cozy favorite of mine!).
- Premium Economy: You get a basic comfort kit in a shoe bag with an eye mask, earplugs, and a toothbrush, along with a high-quality pillow and blanket.
The Verdict: Business Class wins on the little luxuries, but both cabins provide the essentials for a comfortable flight. I have to be completely honest and say that the eye mask on Premium Economy was horrible quality. If you have it, bring your own.
Final Verdict: Which should you choose?
Deciding between SAS Business Class and Premium Economy ultimately comes down to your budget, the timing of your flight, and how badly you need to sleep.
- Book SAS Business Class if: You are flying an overnight route where sleep is non-negotiable, you want full lounge access, or you are able to score an upgrade using points or my favorite strategy: bidding for a flight upgrade.
- Book SAS Premium Economy if: You want great value for money, extra legroom, priority ground perks, and a calmer cabin experience on a daytime flight, especially when cash prices for Business are through the roof.
Either way, as I always say when updating my winter guides and packing lists over on my Winter in Norway Hub, setting yourself up for a comfortable journey makes arriving in the Arctic cold that much sweeter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions I often get about travelling Business Class (or Premium Economy) with Scandinavian Airlines.
Yes, the seats on SAS/Scandinavian Airlines Business Class are fully lie flat seats.
The biggest difference comes down to the seat and the sleep experience. SAS Business Class features fully flat lie-flat beds with direct aisle access, multi-course restaurant-style dining, a self-serve in-flight snack bar, and full airport lounge access. SAS Premium Economy offers a wider seat with extra pitch, deep recline, and a footrest, elevated single-tray dining, and fast-track security, but does not include lie-flat beds or complimentary lounge access.
SAS Premium Economy includes extra legroom and a wider seat, an adjustable footrest, a larger entertainment screen, and a thick pillow and blanket combo. On the ground, it includes priority check-in, Fast Track security, priority boarding, and an increased baggage allowance. In-flight, you get a complimentary multi-course meal on a single tray with alcoholic beverages, free Wi-Fi for EuroBonus members, and a basic comfort kit.
Yes, SAS Business Class is absolutely worth it, especially on overnight long-haul flights between Europe and the US or Asia. While paying full cash price can be expensive, it offers fantastic value if you book using EuroBonus points or win an upgrade through their bidding system.