The Air France KLM Group recently announced that it was considering a rebrand ahead of the envisaged increase of its stake in Scandinavian Airlines. I suspect the timing of that announcement was also intended to sweeten the deal for the Portuguese government ahead of the privatization of TAP Air Portugal, for which they have also submitted a bid.

Transfer in Oslo

I’ve just arrived in Oslo on a Lufthansa A 320 from Frankfurt. I’m continuing my journey to Haugesund on SAS Link, which departs, obviously, from the domestic pier. Unfortunately, Schengen to Domestic airside transfers are only possible in Oslo if you arrive on an international flight with SAS. Otherwise, as in my case, you’re going to have to go through customs, go up one floor to departures, and go through security again.

There are two security checkpoints on the departure concourse, on either side of the SAS service centre. The fast track line is open and empty, so that I’m quickly processed and ejected on the other side into the domestic concourse.

SAS Domestic Business Class Lounge Oslo… or not

Originally, my plan is to find the SAS lounge and wait there until boarding for my flight to Haugesund starts. But then two things happen. First, my nose picks up the smell of something alluring and seductive. I take a deep sniff, and immediately I’m overcome by a strong desire to answer the siren’s call taking over my senses. And then I find the source of the tantalizing smell… BIT Union is a bakery with several outlets throughout the terminal here in Oslo. And it looks like I’m just in time to watch them take out a fresh batch of Kanelknuttes out of the oven. So I quickly snag myself one.

The second thing that happens is that I come to the realisation that the views of the ramp are far superior outside the lounge. And so, that is how I end up not in the lounge, but sitting on a comfortable couch by the window and making obscene noises as I inhale my Kanelknutte.

SAS Boarding

Eventually, boarding for the flight to Haugesund starts with a delay of forty minutes due to the delayed inbound from Aalesund. Boarding starts with groups 1 and 2. There’s a bit of a hold up because some big guy refuses to accept that his boarding group has not been called yet. He just wants to get onboard quickly. Despite the rudeness and grief he’s giving the gate agent, she doesn’t budge, until eventually he relents.

SAS Cabin & Seat

By the time I step aboard, the cabin is already full, which makes it difficult to take photos. I stash my suitcase in the overhead bin and my backpack under the seat in front. Pitch is good on row six. My only complaint about the seat is that it’s misaligned with the windows, which means I have to turn back to get a look out the window.

What is a bit unusual about this aircraft, is that it has an integrated set of stairs by the L1 door that fold away forward into the space where most airlines would have the forward lavatory on the Embraer 195. As a result, the lavatory has had to be placed opposite seats 1A and C.

SAS Service & Crew

There are three cabin crew on this flight. They speak Norwegian, but from their accents when they speak English I’m guessing they’re probably from the Baltics. Their service is curt and more efficient than friendly, but with a flight time of only 45 minutes, this feels more like a bus ride than a flight anyway.

SAS Premium Economy Snack

It only dawns on me once I’m inside the plane that I’ve been upgraded to Premium Economy. When I checked in this morning on the app, I’m sure I was on 7F. But when I checked again as I stepped aboard, the boarding pass in my wallet showed 6F.

In Premium Economy passengers have a choice of complimentary snacks and drinks. In normal Economy there’s complimentary tea or coffee and water. I have an apple juice and a packet of cashews.

Arrival in Haugesund

The mountain range that runs the full length of Norway like its spine is covered in snow. As we approach the cost, the snow recedes to give way to a a rugged and rocky coastline. With the airport right on the sea, we’re battling a heavy crosswind on the approach. However, I don’t think the pilots are too impressed by it. They plonk us down on the runway unceremoniously with a heavy thud, the reversers open, and we quickly slow down.

As I step off the plane, the first thing I do is step aside to put on my jacket. It’s only thirteen degrees here, 21 degrees less than it was in Basel this morning.

Getting into Town

There is an airport bus that runs to and from the airport, but that is only loosely coordinated with arrivals and departures at the airport. As we’re running twenty minutes late, the bus has already left, leaving me no choice but to take a taxi to the hotel.