SAS EuroBonus - Either 1.0 or 4.75 hour layover in CPH for EWR-CPH-ARN

I (perhaps foolishly) just bought tickets on SAS for a Dec 6/Dec 13 itinerary that gives me an almost 5 hour layover in CPH for my outbound EWR-CPH-ARN trip:

EWR-CPH arrives CPH at 07:10
CPH-ARN leaves CPH at 11:55

However, from the SAS website I see that there's an earlier CPH-ARN flight that leaves at 08:10, just 60 minutes after scheduled arrival.

So, the obvious questions for those who are familiar with Copenhagen and these flights are

(1) What are my chances of squeezing my way onto the earlier flight to Stockholm along with my wife and baggage? On a Monday morning is this flight likely to be full? Woudl be be likely to have to walk far between different terminals?

(2) If we are stuck in CPH for over four hours, what could we do there? We are sporty and (if not too jet-lagged and cranky) would love to find a gym. Or would it be feasible to pop into town briefly and get back in time?

Thanks for any advice,

Brian

Just noticed there's a second CPH-ARN at 09:15 on Dec 7, too. Maybe we could get a better chance at this flight.

One hour is doable, however tight. It all depends on the lines in passport control when entering the Schengen area.

Your baggage should be sent all the way to ARN.

On the other hand, like 3 hours is perfect timing to take a walk down the Ströget shoppingstreet in Copenhagen. Take the train or a taxi.

Also -- I forgot to mention that I have no status on SAS or any partner airline.

And maybe these european airlines are less easy to convince to let us fly on an earlier connecting flight than in the USA?

SAS is like any other european airline; you can not wailtlist for the earlier flight if you travel on a non flexible fare.
So, better to book the tight connection from the start. If you misconnect they will obviously put you on a later flight anyhows.
And yes, the morning departures on this shuttle route will be about full.

SAS is like any other european airline; you can not wailtlist for the earlier flight if you travel on a non flexible fare.
So, better to book the tight connection from the start. If you misconnect they will obviously put you on a later flight anyhows.
And yes, the morning departures on this shuttle route will be about full.

This is spot on. You will never be allowed to waitlist for the morning CPH-ARN flight - this is not the US! Anyway, the Monday morning flight to ARN will be full with business pax on their way to work...

60 min at CPH is plenty of time for this connection. A short walk from C pier to A or B. The passport control and security check in C pier is rather painless and quick.

I would recommend as short connection as possible too... as far as the airline allows it, and it is all in one booking, you are OK. As you have noticed, the CPH-ARN route is one of the most frequent routes on SK, so there are plenty of flights to move you to, if the incoming plane is delayed.

I'd go to the lounge, take a shower, read some news or Flyertalk, enjoy a morning coffee, maybe some breakfast and without any stress go to a later connection. This would be true if you have *G and not in a hurry.

You mentioned you do not have any status with the airline, I suppose that also mean no status with any other StarAlliance airlines.

So if you end up with a couple of hours on your hands in Copenhagen, may I suggest one of the following:

Hilton Hotel at Copenhagen Airport. Connected at terminal 3, the hotel has a nice lobby with bar, nice and usually quiet and just as nice as any lounge. Hilton also has a Spa and Gym that you can use (pay). Probably a really good idea to visit the website and book any treatments ahead of time.

If you and the Ms. feel more adventurous take the Metro train to the center of Copenhagen, I think the fare is $2. Get off at Kgs. Nytorv station right by the Royal Theater, spend a couple of hours in the center of Copenhagen before you head back to the airport (15min with Metro).

Enjoy your trip

:-: Flyer

At Ørestad (5 minutes and two stops on the regional train towards Copenhagen) there is a shopping mall (Fields) with a large fitness center, Fitnessdk, which is the largest fitness chain in Denmark with execellent facilities including swimming pool, fitness area, aerobics classes, steam sauna....

They have an offer for a free trial with this coupon (in Danish):

http://www.fitnessdk.dk/Medialibrary/PDF/Kampagner/Værdikupon.pdf

Thanks for the gym suggestions (in the Hilton, and in the nearby mall).

I do have one question for Jespersm: I don't read Danish, but my German skills are not completely gone. I think there are no explicit requirements for local residency, or other reason why I would not be able to use the coupon. We are also both tooold for the fine print to be a problem, if I am guessing correctly about all that!

Seriously, is there any reason we would not be able to use the coupon as tourists?

Thanks for the gym suggestions (in the Hilton, and in the nearby mall).

I do have one question for Jespersm: I don't read Danish, but my German skills are not completely gone. I think there are no explicit requirements for local residency, or other reason why I would not be able to use the coupon. We are also both tooold for the fine print to be a problem, if I am guessing correctly about all that!

Seriously, is there any reason we would not be able to use the coupon as tourists?
When I read it (being Danish), I see no obstacles. Only limitation in the fine print is that the coupon is not valid for children under the age of 15.
Usually, Fitnessdk is very friendly and likes to welcome everyone. Perhaps you shouldn't mention that you are only in transit, but just say that you want to try out this chain. You will have plenty of time as CPH is quite easy and fast to get in and out of, and trains run every 10-15 minutes. You will need a ticket for two zones to Ørestad (two zones is the least you can buy) Have fun:)