Review: SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen Airport

Visited October 2015

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen

Where is it?

The SAS Lounge is located in the international transit hall in the Schengen area. After passing through security control, follow the signs for the E and F gates. The lounge is located on the first floor and can be reached using the lift or the stairs on the left hand side opposite the taxfree shop.

For SAS and Widerøe domestic passengers there is a domestic lounge to use in the domestic transit hall.

How do I get in?

An SAS Plus ticket, an SAS longhaul business class ticket or a business or first class ticket with another airline in Star Alliance will get you in.

Access is also provided to EuroBonus Gold and Diamond as well as Star Alliance Gold travelling on SAS or Star Alliance but they also have access to the SAS Gold Lounge, located inside the regular SAS lounge, which offers a nicer interior and better food and drinks.

What’s it like?

The lounge has been available for many years since Gardermoen airport opened in 1998 but was completely refurbished and enlarged in 2015. The lounge used to be called ‘SAS Business Lounge’ but the name was changed to just ‘SAS Lounge’ as SAS no longer offer a business class cabin within Europe.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
The new part of the lounge

The new SAS Lounge opened in October 2015, three months after the opening of the new SAS Gold Lounge. The lounge is partly located in the same area as the old lounge with the same entrance located after a bridge above the shopping area. However the lounge has been significantly expanded with another 202 sqm, giving a new total size of 550 sqm.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
New seating areas

The new 202 sqm are mostly the area which was previously used for the old SAS Gold Lounge, along the windows facing the transit hall and the shopping areas. In this part of the lounge there are new seating areas, a play area, a business centre and phone booths. The Gold Lounge has now moved to a new location facing the check-in hall.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
The seating areas and dining areas by the entrance

In the new layout the lounge is basically divided into two sections connected by a corridor. In the old part, just after the entrance, you find the buffet and dining areas and seats for people who just want to make a quick visit. Further down the corridor, in the new part, there are seating areas for people who want to stay a bit longer in the lounge. Generally there are less people in this section and it is often a bit more quiet with less people passing.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
More quiet seating ares

The lounge has the latest SAS lounge design with the new SAS lounge furniture. The design feels modern and contemporary with arts on the walls and furniture in green, grey, blue and black. It feels less ‘Ikea’ than in the past.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
New furniture and a view overlooking the transit area

Food and drinks

The buffet area is located opposite the entrance and is also much larger than before. It is divided into two sections, one with the cold buffet and one with drinks and snacks.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
One of the buffet areas

The food selection varies depending on the time of the day. Breakfast items are offered in the morning and later during the day a cold buffet is available. Fresh fruits, cookies and snacks are also available throughout the day.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
Cold buffet with food for self service

Beer and wine are available for self service but in contrast to the SAS Gold lounge the wines are on tap and there are no spirits. There are also juices, soft drinks, coffee machines and tea.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
Second buffet area with drinks, bread rolls and snacks

Facilities

Free wireless internet is available and there is also a business centre with internet computers. Newspapers are no longer offered in the SAS lounges but can be downloaded free of charge to a mobile phone or tablet using the SAS app.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
Business centre

There are restrooms in the lounge but no showers.

There is an SAS service desk in the lounge on the immediate right after entering the lounge where passengers can get assistance with check-in, rebookings and upgrades.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
SAS service centre

Anything else not to miss?

For passengers travelling with children there is a play area with games and toys.

SAS Lounge, Oslo Gardermoen
Play area for children

Final impression

The new SAS lounge is a nice improvement. It is much larger and has a much more modern and stylish interior compared to the old lounge. A cold buffet and a reasonable selection of drinks are available.

About MorePremium.com 1018 Articles
My interest in premium travels and frequent travels started in the 90’s, so to date I have over 20 years of premium travel experience. MorePremium.com will mostly be about my own experiences, based on my own knowledge and my travel history, but you will also find news items, analyses, tips and tricks and reports from events.

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