Trip Report: SAS (A320neo) Economy ARN-KRN

The Details

Flight: SK1042
Aircraft: A320neo
Class: Economy
Seat: 9A and 10A
Route: Stockholm Arlanda (ARN)-Kiruna (KRN)
Distance: 608miles
Duration: 1hr 20min
Departure: 12:03PM
Arrival: 1:24PM

The Preflight

We left central Stockholm onboard the Arlanda Express and arrived at Terminal 5 in Arlanda two hours prior to our scheduled boarding time. Check-in was quick with no line. Thanks to our American Express Platinum Cards, we had access to the Fast Track lane. There was a single line so it took about 15 minutes to get through security.

We made our way to the SAS Lounge located on the second floor of Terminal 5. The lounge was split between the Star Alliance Gold Lounge and the business class lounge. Thanks to our United Platinum Premier status we had access to the SAS Gold side of the lounge.

There was a variety of sofas and chairs along the windows with views of the apron.

Further inside the lounge were additional seats along with working tables.

There was the main dining area with a buffet and communal tables.

Breakfast was on offer when we arrived. Options included the standard European cold cuts, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. There was also yogurt, oatmeal, and bread.

Drink options included beer, wine, soda, water on tap, orange juice, and a coffee machine.

While we were in the lounge, breakfast was switched to lunch around 10:30. The hot oatmeal was switched to chicken soup. Nachos were brought out. A variety of fresh salads were also offered along with a salmon salad and couscous.

Additional alcoholic drinks were also made available.

Boarding was scheduled to begin at 11:30 and we headed to the gate 10 minutes early.

Our A320neo, registration SE-ROD, was leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. She was delivered brand new to SAS in July 2017. SAS currently has a total of 36 A320neos in their fleet.

Boarding started at 11:43AM and was quick. The flight was less than 20% full today.

The Flight

SAS offers a total of 180 seats onboard their A320neos arranged in a 3-3 configuration. The first eight rows can be designated as SAS Plus which is their business class offering. A small placard divides the two cabins.

I was seated in 9A, in the row just behind the Plus cabin. My father was one row behind me in 10A. SAS went with the Recaro BL3520 slimline seats for their A320s. Each seat was 17.7″ wide and the first ten rows had 30 inches of pitch. After the exit-rows (11 and 12), the pitch decreased to 29″ in rows 14-29 and then 28″ in the last two rows.

Each seat had a dedicated USB-A socket, a simple tray table, and a literature pocket. Below the literature pocket was a small pouch. The window seat legroom was not restricted by a box.

Within four minutes of boarding, the doors were closed and we pushed back at 11:54AM. The taxi to runway 19R was quick and we took off at 12:03PM. The climb out was smooth and soon we were above the clouds.

Passengers in the economy cabin can purchase food and drinks from the buy-on-board menu. Coffee and tea are complimentary. Service was quick and efficient.