Scandinavian carrier SAS will return its regional Business Class services on the airline’s intra-European services starting next summer, thereby aligning its onboard products and services with those of the Air France-KLM group.

Having taken a majority stake in SAS, Air France-KLM plans on integrating the new SkyTeam members into the group’s transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Virgin Atlantic.

Blocking the middle seats

From summer 2025, Scandinavian Airlines SAS will bring back its intra-European Business Class service, replacing its current SAS Plus service onboard the airline’s regional jets. While the current SAS Plus offers complimentary snacks/drinks, free WiFi, lounge access, and priority ground services, reports from Business Traveler indicate that the returning Business Class will be a “Step Up”.

The Business Class currently proposed will see SAS align itself with the offerings of its new partners at the Air France-KLM Group and will use the existing seats but block off the middle seats and use a curtain to separate the Business seats in front of the aircraft from the Economy Class.

Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying

As part of the Business Class offerings, passengers will also receive better food and beverages onboard and have a dedicated lavatory for premium passengers. While the specifics of the returning product are unknown, it is reported that the carrier has previously used ceramic plates to serve meals on its regional Business Class services.

Short and long-haul network expansion

The airline also recently announced a massive expansion of its route network for Summer 2025, which will see SAS fly to over 15 new destinations, both within Europe and across the Atlantic to North America. Though the majority of these new services are to European destinations, the airline has also announced a new route to the United States along with an increase in frequencies to existing US and Canadian destinations.

*Services to JFK and Toronto will be increased with additional frequencies.

The improved onboard offerings and increased connectivity within Europe are influenced by Air France-KLM Group as they aim to elevate the airline and have it integrated into the group’s existing Transatlantic Joint Venture with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines.

By doing so, passengers flying with any of the aforementioned SkyTeam Alliance members can benefit from flexible itineraries and consistency in the level of service provided, irrespective of which carrier they fly with, thereby elevating their travel experience as a whole.

SAS positioning itself better

The airline has recently undergone a number of changes, from restructuring and exiting Chapter 11 protection to switching from Star Alliance to SkyTeam. While the airline has announced major plans for next summer, SAS is already positioning itself to be better connected, both within Europe and across the Atlantic in the US, in partnership with Delta.

Earlier this week, the carrier signed an agreement with regional airline Braathens Regional Airways to provide better regional connections and passenger feeds while also increasing the connectivity for the SkyTeam alliance.

Photo: Photofex_AUT | Shutterstock

At the same time, SAS and Delta have had their request for an expanded codeshare partnership approved, thereby enabling either airline to work better and provide improved connections across Europe, North America, and Central America.

Once SAS is part of the Joint Venture, the connectivity will further increase, and the schedules, along with the networks of all five major carriers, will complement each other.