Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I haven’t seen them live since February 2020 just before the first lockdown and I haven’t travelled to this area since 2019. I’m flying with SAS and Delta. The itinerary: Brussels in Belgium – Copenhagen in Denmark – Atlanta in Georgia – Wilmington in North Carolina. 

As my flight from Brussels Airport in Zaventem to Copenhagen Airport was delayed, I rushed through Kastrup to catch my next flight. I’m not familiar with CPH so I didn’t know what to expect. But getting off the aeroplane, rushing through the boarder and getting to the gate went smooth. 

Next question: would my bag follow? I asked the staff at the gate and they answered me “we can handle short turnarounds”. The attendant was a bit snooty about it. I don’t blame her, I’d do be the same.

The gate design reminded me of an Apple Store. Not just seats but also high tables. I could see the flight would not be full. Boarding went smooth and I was almost the first of my boarding group to get in. Practical for photos.

So let’s go to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on an Airbus A330.

SAS SK929
Copenhagen Airport to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Scheduled: 1:25 PM CET to 5:20 PM EST.
Actual: 1:23 PM CET to 5:08 PM EST.
Equipment: Airbus A330-343 (LN-RKR).

The economy section is organised in a 2-4-2 configuration. I was assigned seat 48A. A window seat on the left side. I love seat A because I have a window and I end to tilt to the left when I fall asleep. And I sleep on planes. Usually already before take-off. 

The seat has everything you expect of a contemporary economy seat for long-haul travels. Decent padding, decent recline. A big screen, a USB-A power outlet. A sturdy table, a cupholder. 

On the seat I found a cushion and a blanket. 

Uzbek grandma

My neighbour would be a grandmother from Uzbekistan. She only spoke Russian and Uzbek, two languages I do not speak. But I she could tell she came from Stavanger in Norway and after Atlanta she had another flight. She dreaded her three flights.

The flight was far from full so she moved to a row of four. You go, madam. More space for me and my stuff. I could store my backpack under her seat and use her table when eating for lids and and cups. 

Food and beverages

Service started fairly quickly after take-off. First we got drinks. Water, soft drinks, wine and beer were included. For something stronger, you needed to pay. 

The napkin and cup were unbranded as you can see.

For lunch, we could choose between chicken, and chicken. No options. I heard someone saying of her child “she’s vegetarian”. Well, she should have asked for that in advance. Luckily there was some vegetarian option over. I wonder what the passenger would have done if there wasn’t.

The meal consisted of said chicken, with mash potatoes, spinach and some sauce. There was a side salad, Swedish crackers and bread roll. Some dressing and butter. And carrot cake or dessert. 

All these items were packaged as sustainably as possible, using cardboard.

It was pretty good. 

The cabin crew came twice for tea and coffee. 

During the flight, you could buy some snacks and drinks. But the crew came several times offering water. 

Second serving

As a snack before arrival, we received a toast with a creamy tomato and olive Parmesan spread, which tasted fine. Again, the package was unbranded. We also received a mandarin and elderflower juice.

This snack came just over an hour before landing. 

In-flight entertainment

The in-flight entertainment was intuitive to use. I didn’t find a ‘favourites’ option, but the offering wasn’t enormous. 169 films, many TV shows, music and games. No Angry Birds! Imagine that!

A nice option was the system remembered where you stopped a film or show, so if you left and return, you didn’t need to guess. 

I found the offering uninspiring, but I admit it’s more a me-issue. I just didn’t see anything I really wanted. I ended up watching the 1978 version of ‘Superman‘ with Christopher Reeves, Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando. I hadn’t seen that one since childhood.

So?

The flight was certainly okay. I found the plane to be quite noisy with aeroplane noises. Some passengers couldn’t stay put. Some really wanted a lot of attention from the crew and some teen decided to do some basic gymnastics. 

I love travelling business class, but this flight, my flights to Seoul, Mexico City and New Orleans show long-haul economy is far from bad. Or can be. 

North Carolina 2025

1. REVIEW | SAS Scandinavian Airlines System – Brussels to Copenhagen – economy – Embraer E195LR.