Recently SAS invited me to Tokyo to film their inflight meal selection process and interview key staff about their product. The airline offers free meals on all international flights with additional inclusions and exclusions depending on your cabin class.
SAS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
In economy class, passengers do not receive a meal choice, free non-alcoholic drinks are included and you can purchase alcoholic beverages or snacks if you wish to.
In premium economy class expect two meal choices served on a tray with real china, as well as free-flowing alcohol, a selection of snacks and a second meal before landing.
In business class there’s a walk-up bar with snacks, drinks and a real coffee machine. Inflight meals will offer a choice of two entrees and four main meal options, followed by cheese and three dessert options.
SAS EUROPEAN FLIGHTS
On SAS European services tea and coffee are always included and the airline offers two tiers of service, Plus and Go. Go ticket passengers do not receive complimentary and Plus passengers will receive complimentary meals and drinks.
THE MEALS
On a flight from Paris to Copenhagen, I chose Turkey with Yuzu Noodles and Miso Mayonnaise, with drinks served in real glassware made by Orrefors. The salad was fresh, clean and crisp.
On the return leg, I received a meal-offering that was more substantial than the previous. It was a Cecina with blue cheese and carrot served with hot smoked salmon with yuzu roasted celeriac and chervil hollandaise, for dessert, a Rhubard tartelette with Granola crumble. It was simply delicious, and so fresh.
COPENHAGEN TO TOKYO
SAS has recently upgraded their cabins, and their long-haul business class is stunning, add to this restaurant-style inflight service, and you have a recipe for a great flight.
My inflight meal tray was covered with linen and I was provided with cutlery, oil and glassware and a mixed salad.
The two entree choices were Marinated salmon and pickled root vegetable julienne with sweet mustard sauce and liquorice herb or the Chicken ballotine slices with cauliflower puree, sour apples, apple blossom and juniper oil. The entree was garnished well, presented beautifully and tasted great.
I opted for the Spinach and ricotta tortellini with baby carrot, zucchini, and turnip with Parmesan and chive cream sauce and it was delicious.
Dessert options included a raspberry and white chocolate mousse cake, Valrhona chocolate ice cream and a Cheese plate. Unable to decide, the crew quickly decided to plate up all three offerings and placed it on my tray table.
Before landing breakfast was offered. I selected what I wanted from the trolley and the cabin crew plated up my meal. I opted for the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, peppers, ramson pork sausage, mushroom and herb souffle which was served with fresh fruit and a croissant.
It was one of the most delightful breakfast offerings I’ve had in business class, it was great to be able to have a choice.
TOKYO TO COPENHAGEN
On the return flight to Europe, I travelled in SAS Plus (Premium Economy) which offers an elevated economy class dining experience including real china, a larger meal tray and enhanced meal options. The first meal served was beef with potato gratin and vegetables, a prawn salad and apple cake for dessert.
In between meals the airline offered quality snack products from Japan and Europe.
One hour before landing the crew delivered the second meal service, which consisted of salmon pasta and some fresh fruit. A slightly smaller and more simple offering compared to the first service but still very good.
The inflight meal experience on SAS was fantastic; I like the Scandinavian touches and there’s an emphasis on high-quality products in the business class and premium economy class cabins. Nice touches also include the apple juice that is cold-pressed in West Oslo by the same family since 1661, Coffee by illy, Europe’s first Sake which hails from Grimstad in southern Norway.
SAS provided free tickets for the purpose of this article and a video interview conducted in Tokyo, all opinions are my own.