SAS to End Lounge Access for SAS Plus Passengers on Long-Haul Flights from April 2025

SAS has unveiled a significant update that will affect passengers holding SAS Plus tickets for intercontinental flights, starting on April 1, 2025. Under this new policy, SAS Plus ticket holders will lose access to SAS lounges, bringing the service level in line with that of the standard SAS Go ticket. This change does not apply to SAS Plus tickets for travel within the Nordic region or Europe.

Passengers who booked their SAS Plus tickets before March 3, 2025, will continue to enjoy lounge access. The lounges impacted by this policy are located at airports where SAS operates its own facilities, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Chicago, and New York (Newark).

The airline has explained that the decision stems from a need to manage lounge capacity during peak travel times. While this is not described as a seasonal adjustment, it is expected to be a permanent policy change. Over the years, the SAS Plus product has undergone several reductions in service, and now the airport experience is more similar to that of the SAS Go ticket.

For EuroBonus loyalty members holding Gold, Diamond, or Pandion status (or equivalent status with a Star Alliance partner airline), lounge access will remain available, regardless of the ticket type purchased.

For those still able to access the lounges, the quieter atmosphere might be viewed as a benefit, especially during peak periods when seating is in high demand, particularly for passengers traveling in groups. However, this adjustment further highlights the diminishing value of the SAS Plus offering.

As travel experiences continue to evolve, it remains to be seen whether other airlines will follow suit, further pushing the trend of reducing premium service offerings. This change could have broader implications for frequent travelers who value access to premium amenities, such as lounge access, as part of their overall journey experience.