Experience Business Class with Family on the A350 to Copenhagen

Business Class with SAS

It's been a while since I had a flight that I was truly satisfied with, and this trip with SAS was a delightful surprise. The comfortable seats and tasty meals were fantastic, but the timing of the flight was quite special. Traveling to Europe on Christmas Eve isn't my usual choice, but sometimes schedules dictate everything. Luckily, our business class flight on the A350 to Copenhagen provided comfort and joy for the entire family.

EuroBonus and Ticket Pricing

I really love SAS's EuroBonus program. If you're planning to fly with SAS, it's a fantastic opportunity to earn points and enjoy great perks. My ticket cost 60,000 miles per person, and children under 12 received a 50% discount (such a family-friendly program!). There were no fuel surcharges, just the government taxes. It was a steal for the whole family to fly business class!

Arriving at O'Hare Airport

I arrived at Terminal 5 of O'Hare Airport at 5:30 PM, just under two hours before our flight. The check-in staff wondered why I didn't check in online since we had no luggage. However, it was a busy day, and manually entering passport information took quite a bit of time.

After enjoying some time in the Air France lounge, we boarded the plane at 6:50 PM, about 30 minutes before departure. Normally, I prefer to board early, but when traveling with family, I took advantage of our time in the lounge and boarded a little later.

Flight Information

SAS flight 944 departed from Chicago (ORD) to Copenhagen (CPH) on Wednesday, December 24th. The flight took off at 7:20 PM and was scheduled to arrive at 10:50 AM the next day, with a flight duration of 8 hours and 30 minutes. We were on an Airbus A350-900, and I was seated in 4H (business class).

Seating and Service

I couldn't help but chuckle when I thought about how lightly I packed for this flight. My wife carried a green backpack filled with medical books and a laptop, heavy enough that the flight attendant couldn't help but exclaim while lifting it.

The seating on the plane was less than half full, which is not unusual for SAS to have plenty of space. The business class cabin on the SAS A350 features 40 Thompson Aero Vantage XL seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats are 22 inches wide and can convert into a 78-inch flat bed. I added an extra pillow for added comfort, and even without personal air vents, I slept well.

A Comfort Kit

SAS's comfort kit hasn't changed in years, still packaged in a stylish striped bag from the Dux brand. The kit includes facial moisturizer, a dental care set, high-quality socks, an eye mask, and headphones.

In-Flight Entertainment

Wi-Fi for business class passengers is complimentary and good enough for me to send messages and emails, but I chose to "disconnect" throughout the flight. While there were plenty of movies, TV shows, and music available, I simply focused on the flight map.

Restrooms

The flight had a restroom designated for the crew at the front and two restrooms in the middle of the business cabin. Mid-flight, the restrooms were enhanced with a few green plants.

Food and Drinks

After a long day, I was ready for sleep but couldn't skip dinner. Service was efficient, and the meal was served promptly after takeoff. The appetizer featured smoked salmon or duck with a green salad.

I also enjoyed SAS's "Apple Must," produced at the Ringi farm in Norway. We pre-ordered our main course online to ensure we got the fish, as the flight typically only offers beef, chicken, and pasta.

The salmon with lentils was delicious, and my wife and I ordered fish while the kids opted for steak. The meal concluded with fruit and cheese, and I managed to sleep until the plane prepared for landing.

Visiting the Cockpit

Claire Marie had a bit of trouble waking up, but the pilot invited the kids into the cockpit, making for a delightful and unexpected Christmas experience.

Conclusion

The flight was pleasant and peaceful, a wonderful experience on SAS's A350. Although I preferred to spend "Heiligabend" with family, sometimes you have to embrace what is available. SAS once again provided me with a comfortable journey, and I have never had a meal that wasn't delicious!