My departure gate was in the B pier, and man, it was some walk. I didn’t even know Copenhagen airport could get that big.
Boarding started pretty much on time, and finished quickly again for an on time departure.
Considering the disappointment with the lounge visit, I pulled up the BoB menu. The Light Meals section was actually a nice surprise, with very agreeable prices for a Scandi airline. Alas, note the note at the top – I was firmly in Scandinavia by now. No toastie for me.
The pasta portion for 3 euros must be laughably tiny, but a toast with soda for 7 was quite tempting
Plan B was sleep. I caught up on it, enough to get me through the day now.
Arriving at ARN just that bit early, I figured I had about 30 minutes to spend in a lounge, and a choice to make – do I go for SK Gold again, or do I try out the new Amex lounge?
Amex lounge, I think, deserves more than 30 minutes. Hopefully I will have enough time to give it justice on the way back on Thursday; I will be passing through Arlanda again before the year is out, but then I only have a 1:10 transfer again.
SAS Gold lounge it is then.
I… have mixed feelings about the one in Arlanda. The ambiance is not as nice as in Copenhagen and it’s a lot busier. But on the other hand, the F&B offer is much better.
I could have picked something to eat if I was in the mood, but I am less picky than some other posters.
Orange juice and bubbles, the trinity could happen in ARN lounge.
But there are also options to make yourself something fancier.
A proper cocktail, with this selection, indeed
I did not fancy a full meal at this time and speed, so I furnished myself with a bowl of crisps and a long overdue Bloody Mary.
Hey, I’ve been feeling like having one since 6:10 am, give me a break.
And after finishing them, took of for my next gate.
E8 is at the end of the pier, but at least it’s the pier right next to the lounge this time, so the walk didn’t take long, and I arrived just a minute or so before the boarding started 5 minutes early. Flight managed to board quickly again, sitting pretty at T-15 already. I like the efficiency of Scandinavians boarding.
Not too long into the flight, the service began, minimal as it is. At least it’s not nothing, though if a hot drink is better than a cup of water and a tiny chocolate is a matter of opinion. I definitely believe it is.
Some branding would not be amiss
And with that. I am done with the first part of my trip. Three segments out of 10 in the bag.
Before I scurry away to figure out which bus takes me to central Gothenburg cheapest or at least quickest, and pulling the notes on what ChatGPT would have me look at (no guided tours being available, and after a disappointing performance of a self-guided tour app earlier this summer), what did I learn?
All three flights were on time, and on all three flights I was able to easily claim exit row, with a free middle seat next to me, making for a comfortable journey. Service could be better, but is entirely acceptable in the context of European Legacy Y service, with sadly AFKL looking to join the race to the bottom. Lounges are a little bit underwhelming, but it’s not a catastrophe. What I was surprised by, is how far back SAS Plus went, ending at row 8 or 9 in all of my flights. Granted on AMS-CPH, there were 2 people in there only, but from CPH onwards, it was actually fairly full. And I get it. The price difference from Y, especially if you need a bag anyway,is not big, and then it can be a good product. I wonder what next year and the change to “real” J will bring. Perhaps I will give it a try on a segment run for FlyingBlue, if I decide to push for a requalification.
Up next: Gothenburg