Hunting the Northern Lights: Tromso and Alta (Norway)

[JennyH]

I'm also following with interest. I have booked flights for Svalbard and Tromos for next February. I'd be happy with a single good viewing of the northern lights, given I was 0/5 from previous winter trips to northern Finland.
I couldn't get the SAS flights to link with the Singapore flights, so I am hoping that 90 minutes is enough time to transfer in Copenhagen.
@ADLhighflyer do you think Scandinavian business class was worth it for the short flights?

 

[jase05]

do you think Scandinavian business class was worth it for the short flights?

Had a few flights with SAS last year and obviously it depends on the price difference and what you want from it. They don’t have even Euro Business as such and instead call it SAS Plus. The middle seat isn’t blocked so it’s just like Economy and I felt really cramped on 2 of the flights. The meals mostly were pretty ordinary and basic but had a couple of beers so not all bad. Priority Boarding was in the second group after Star Golds back then and no extra luggage unless you go the top priced SAS Plus tickets.
I didn’t have any Star Alliance status so most of the tickets were only about an extra $40 for SAS Plus which also gives you lounge access.

 

[ADLhighflyer]

@ADLhighflyer do you think Scandinavian business class was worth it for the short flights?

@JennyH It would depend on the flight duration and extra cost. For me, the flights to/from Singapore Airlines were all in the same booking so was a continuation of the long haul flights. 90mins transfer in CPH is more than enough if on the same booking, but if on separate tickets it is hard to say as I didn't go landside.

For the Tromso-Alta via Olso flight, SAS Plus was only about 15-20 Euro's more so was worth it as it included food and lounge access. Of note though, Tromso doesn't have any SAS Lounge so nil additional perks there. On the flight Alta-Tromso which is about 40mins, I just bought the cheapo fare as it wasn't worth spending more.

As @jase05 mentioned, SAS Plus doesn't guarantee a spare seat next to you, but was hit and miss from the crew as to what you got - if they were proactive you were told, if not you got nothing. The lounges in OSL/CPH is ok, and an ok spot to spend a few hours. I was lucky to visit OSL on a Saturday afternoon when it was quiet.

 

[JennyH]

@JennyH It would depend on the flight duration and extra cost. For me, the flights to/from Singapore Airlines were all in the same booking so was a continuation of the long haul flights. 90mins transfer in CPH is more than enough if on the same booking, but if on separate tickets it is hard to say as I didn't go landside.

For the Tromso-Alta via Olso flight, SAS Plus was only about 15-20 Euro's more so was worth it as it included food and lounge access. Of note though, Tromso doesn't have any SAS Lounge so nil additional perks there. On the flight Alta-Tromso which is about 40mins, I just bought the cheapo fare as it wasn't worth spending more.

As @jase05 mentioned, SAS Plus doesn't guarantee a spare seat next to you, but was hit and miss from the crew as to what you got - if they were proactive you were told, if not you got nothing. The lounges in OSL/CPH is ok, and an ok spot to spend a few hours. I was lucky to visit OSL on a Saturday afternoon when it was quiet.

Thanks to both for the advice. It seems that SAS Plus is now called "business", but comes at a premium (around 80 -100 Euros extra for short flights). When I progressed to seat selection it shows the centre seat as blocked for flights between countries (e.g. Copenhagen - Tromso) but not for within a country flights (Tromso - Svalbard).
Anyway - I'm looking forward to the rest of your journey. NordKapp in the winter must be quite something.