Icelandair vs SAS Scandinavian Airlines Business Class — Full Comparison
| Feature | Icelandair | SAS Scandinavian Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Saga Class | SAS Business |
| Seat Type | Recliner business seat on 737 MAX and 767 | 1-2-1 lie-flat with direct aisle access |
| Alliance | Independent | SkyTeam |
| Primary Hubs | KEF | CPH, ARN, OSL |
| US Gateways | JFK, BOS, ORD, DEN | JFK, EWR, ORD, LAX |
| Top Destinations | Reykjavik, London, Paris | Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo |
| CEOFLIGHTS Savings | Up to 40% | Up to 40% |
Icelandair
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Icelandair and SAS Scandinavian Airlines both connect North America to Europe through compact but strategically positioned hub networks, yet they represent two very different philosophies of business class travel. Icelandair, a small independent carrier unaffiliated with any global alliance, built its reputation on affordability and its clever Reykjavik stopover routing. SAS, a longtime SkyTeam member with hubs spread across Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, offers a more traditional full-service European business class experience with lie-flat seating and broader alliance connectivity. For travelers weighing these two carriers, the decision often comes down to whether you prioritize a value-driven, character-filled Icelandic layover experience or a polished, internationally connected Scandinavian product.
How Do the Seats Compare?
The hard product is where the two airlines diverge most sharply. Icelandair's Saga Class uses a recliner-style seat on both its 737 MAX and 767 aircraft rather than a fully flat bed, arranged in a standard forward-facing configuration. It's comfortable for the airline's typical five-to-seven hour transatlantic hops, but travelers expecting a flat sleeping surface will be disappointed. SAS Business, by contrast, features a 1-2-1 lie-flat seat with direct aisle access from every seat, a configuration that rivals many larger European flag carriers and delivers genuine privacy and uninterrupted rest on longer sectors. For anyone booking a red-eye where sleep quality matters most, SAS holds a clear hard-product advantage.
What About Dining & Service?
Icelandair
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Onboard service reflects each airline's cultural identity. Icelandair leans into Icelandic-inspired dining, with lighter, ingredient-driven menus and a crew culture that feels efficient and unfussy rather than overtly luxurious. SAS emphasizes Scandinavian design and cuisine throughout the cabin, from tableware to a curated beverage program featuring Nordic wines and aquavit, paired with a service style that is warm but understated, in keeping with Scandinavian sensibilities. Neither airline chases the theatrical service of a Middle Eastern or Asian carrier; both prioritize quality ingredients and calm, competent execution over flourish.
How Do the Airport Lounges Compare?
Icelandair
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
On the ground, SAS benefits from its trio of hub airports and access to the SAS Lounge network across Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, plus reciprocal SkyTeam lounge access worldwide for connecting itineraries.
On the ground, SAS benefits from its trio of hub airports and access to the SAS Lounge network across Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, plus reciprocal SkyTeam lounge access worldwide for connecting itineraries. Icelandair's single hub at Keflavik is smaller and less lounge-rich, but it offers a genuinely differentiated ground experience: the free stopover program lets business class passengers break up their transatlantic journey with days in Iceland at no extra airfare, turning a layover into a destination in its own right. Travelers who value expansive premium lounges will lean SAS; those who want a built-in adventure will favor Icelandair.
Network breadth is another clear differentiator. Icelandair operates from an unusually large number of US gateways for its size, including JFK, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Washington Dulles, and Portland, but its onward European network beyond Reykjavik is comparatively limited, with connections to cities like London, Paris, and Copenhagen. SAS flies from JFK, Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco into its three Scandinavian hubs, and as a SkyTeam member it unlocks broad reciprocal mileage earning and elite recognition for US travelers already aligned with Delta or other SkyTeam carriers. For passengers who value alliance status and deeper European connectivity, SAS is the stronger long-term partner; for point-to-point value seekers, Icelandair's gateway breadth is compelling.
Whichever carrier suits your itinerary, both Icelandair Saga Class and SAS Business are available through CEOFLIGHTS® private fares, with savings of up to 40% off published business class rates. Our Personal Travel Managers know the nuances of each product intimately and can advise on seat selection, stopover routing, and alliance considerations to match your specific trip. Call (888) 851 6897 to speak with a CEOFLIGHTS® Personal Travel Manager and secure preferred business class pricing on either airline before booking directly.
Book Your Premium Cabin Today
✅ Choose Icelandair If You Value
- Saga Class recliner-style premium seat
- Icelandic-inspired dining
- Free stopover in Iceland on transatlantic routing
- Multiple US gateways for a small carrier
✅ Choose SAS Scandinavian Airlines If You Value
- Lie-flat with direct aisle access
- Scandinavian dining and design aesthetics
- SAS Lounge network across Scandinavia
- Now part of SkyTeam alliance
