After a pleasant overnight stay at the Oslo airport arrivals area, I checked in early for my SAS flight. At this airport, SAS has many self check-in kiosks, but there are manned check-in counters as well. I used the counter to check in and drop my baggage. SAS does allow all its passengers to check in one piece of baggage free.
Though its considered a domestic flight, it still departs from the international terminal.
In the past, SAS used to provide free breakfast to all its passengers on all flights departing before 9am, but seems like this has been abolished. Now, its only a coffee/tea service. Food becomes buy-on-board.
On this short return flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, what's interesting is the scenery outside, and not the service.
Though its considered a domestic flight, it still departs from the international terminal.
In the past, SAS used to provide free breakfast to all its passengers on all flights departing before 9am, but seems like this has been abolished. Now, its only a coffee/tea service. Food becomes buy-on-board.
On this short return flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, what's interesting is the scenery outside, and not the service.
Somewhere over Scandinavia
The extent of service on the short 3 hr flight
A smooth flight over the Barents Sea
Reaching Svalbard, the world's northernmost big city
De-icing the wing
There is no jetbridges at this small airport, which only receives a few flights a day. So all passengers deplane by stairs made the short walk in the cold into the terminal building.
A polar bear greets me at the baggage claim. Haha !
Nope, there's no Singapore. Nearest is Bangkok or Hong Kong.
Svalbard airport operates an airport bus service that meets all flights. After claiming my baggage, I proceeded to board the waiting bus parked beside the terminal building. After seated on the bus, the driver then came around to collect the ticket money one by one. There is a discount for purchase of return tickets.
Yup, its a pleasant morning flight on the way to Longyearbyen and an even early morning 2am flight back to Oslo. Though it was delayed to 2:45am. For a short haul flight, SAS is as good as it gets. The complimentary coffee/tea service is a welcome. Sadly no free breakfast. On the SAS B737 aircraft which services this route, there is no usb port. However, on the SAS A320 aircraft which services the Copenhagen to Faroe Island, there is actually a usb port. Legroom is similar to any other narrowbody aircraft. I didn't try the recline, though I guess it will be similar as well.
I forgot whether I booked or was assigned window seats. But the scenery is fantastic on this exotic route. In June, the sun never really sets in Svalbard, so there is great window view on the return journey as well.
