On May 21, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) relaunched a long-haul flight connecting Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with Copenhagen Airport (CPH) after a 16-year-long pause. The flight will operate five days per week during the SAS summer schedule—but I was lucky enough to snag a business-class seat on the first flight.

“The Seattle-Copenhagen route has been a highly requested destination,” Paul Verhagen, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Scandinavian Airlines, tells Travel + Leisure. “Washington State has deep Scandinavian roots, with many residents tracing their heritage to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. This creates natural demand for both leisure and family travel.”

As any business class journey should, my excursion began with a visit to the lounge. While there isn’t an SAS lounge in Seattle, the airline is a part of the SkyTeam airline alliance, so I got access to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport’s Delta Sky Club. The lounge has views of Mount Rainier and the runway, and you can plane spot while enjoying small bites like clam chowder, chicken sliders, and caprese salad from the buffet or a drink from the bar.

Although the Delta Sky Club was located in Concourse A and the flight was scheduled to depart from Concourse S, it was easy to move between terminals, thanks to the SEA Underground—trains leave every three minutes and there was no need to go through security again.

The inaugural festivities kicked off with a celebration near the gate, featuring historic pictures of the original inaugural SAS flight from Seattle to Copenhagen.

Boarding was quick and easy (admittedly, being in zone one didn’t hurt), and we soon found ourselves on an Airbus 350-900, considered one of the best modern wide-body planes. It’s much quieter than most other planes in its peer group, and the air pressure is lower. It only ever feels like you’re, at most, an altitude of around 5,500 feet. That all means a more comfortable experience with less jet lag. 

After a send-off from the local fire department and the airport staff, our flight was soon in the air, making its way across the Rocky Mountains, through Canada, and finally across the Atlantic.

I’ve always flown economy so let’s just say that in SAS business class, some socks were knocked off. 

The business class section was in a 1-2-1 formation, and I found myself in the middle aisle. The units were generously sized, and the seat was large and cushy, with buttons that could adjust the height, angle, and level of cushion in the chair. There was plenty of overhead storage, as well as a nifty area to store other items near my feet. I also appreciated having a shelf (with a drink holder, no less) to store odds and ends that I had with me during my flight. 

There were over-the-ear headphones for watching movies on the very deluxe, oversized entertainment console. Entertainment selection was broad, with new movies like “Nosferatu,” “A Complete Unknown,” and “The Brutalist” available to watch as well as classic flicks like “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” “Cool Hand Luke,” and “Dumb and Dumber.”

But perhaps one of the coolest perks of flying in an A350-900 is the tail-view camera, where you can watch mountains, rivers, and oceans pass you by during your flight from the comfort of your seat. The internet service, however, was pretty spotty during this particular flight, and it was hard to load a browser page, much less get work done.

In addition to the usual business class swag bag—packed with an eye mask, face cream, a toothbrush, and socks—passengers on this inaugural flight also received a small bag filled with things like Scandinavisk-branded hand cream, white chocolate truffles, and a commemorative luggage tag. Passengers also got a “boreal forest” soy wax candle by Skog, which did indeed smell like a brisk walk through the pines.

As far as airplane food goes, it would be hard to find fault in Scandinavian Airlines’ business class fare, which truly goes all out with fresh, Scandi-inspired fare. For each meal, flight attendants began service by “setting” the table by laying down a napkin on the tray table.

Dinner was a four-course event consisting of a starter, a main, a cheese plate, and a dessert. I opted for the burrata salad for a starter, a spring-y arrangement of tomatoes, basil, and burrata with a sweet balsamic reduction on the side. I then had the grilled miso chicken, which was served with piping hot jasmine rice and perfectly cooked radishes and bok choy. There was fresh fruit and a cheese plate for dessert, featuring a generous slice of very nice blue cheese.

Breakfast was a simple affair with overnight oats, a smoothie, and a poached egg with shashuka. Bedding down in a comforter from the luxe Swedish linen brand Dux made it easy to catch some shut-eye, too.

With the multiple feasts and plenty of movies to watch, I soon found myself in Copenhagen. Since I felt so well-rested from my flight, it was easy to hit the ground running—and that’s exactly what SAS intends.

Copenhagen Airport is a major hub to other Scandinavian destinations and a gateway to all that northern Europe has to offer. After this flight, I hopped on a couple of short plane rides to Bergen, Norway (a direct route from Copenhagen to Bergen is available), and spent a few days exploring the country’s breathtaking fjords by car—the transition from one of the region’s most bustling cities to one of the most remote and idyllic areas was smooth and easy.

“The route is among the fastest and most seamless transatlantic connections, offering travelers an efficient and smooth journey between North America and Europe,” Verhagen says. “Schedules have been designed to maximize connectivity with the rest of the SAS network, offering one-stop access to and from 39 European cities via Copenhagen.”

For West Coast and Pacific Northwest residents, that means Northern Europe is once again, just one short (and very luxurious) flight away.

Not even a surprise nor’easter that pummeled New England with inches of rain, knocked out power, and delayed flights dampened the celebratory mood as JetBlue launched its inaugural nonstop seasonal flight from Boston Logan Airport to Edinburgh, Scotland, on the evening of May 22. The air at gate C9 buzzed with excitement—plus the sound of bagpipes played by a live musician—as travelers snapped pictures of themselves by an illustration of Edinburgh’s stunning architecture. Garlands of Scottish flags and columns of balloons brightened the room. A table nearby was loaded up with Scottish shortbread cookies, sugar cookies emblazoned with an airplane soaring across the Edinburgh skyline, and tea served in (naturally, for Boston) Dunkin’ paper cups.

Mike Erbeck, JetBlue’s vice president of safety, was one of a handful of speakers at the podium during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Even though it looks like Scotland outside, are we ready to go to Scotland?” he said with a laugh, pointing to the rain beyond the gate’s windows.

With JetBlue’s first Boston to Madrid flight launching just a few gates down with a similar soiree, the carrier had a lot to celebrate. The once-scrappy airline launched its first transatlantic service—from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR)—in August 2021, with service to London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) the following month. Since then, JetBlue has added Paris, Amsterdam, and now Madrid and Dublin.

JetBlue and Boston are continuing their love affair, too; JetBlue is the largest carrier at New England’s busiest air travel hub, and in September 2024, the airline announced that its first-ever lounge will be opening in New York’s JFK Airport in late 2025, with a roomier lounge coming “soon after” to Boston, per a release obtained by Travel + Leisure. Mint customers will enjoy access to the lounge.

Last May, JetBlue launched its first flight from JFK to Edinburgh. The Boston expansion comes on the heels of that route’s success, and only boosts Scotland’s status as an “it” destination, thanks in part to lush, misty landscapes featured in the likes of historical drama Outlander and James Bond flick “Skyfall.” Edinburgh is the United Kingdom’s second-most visited city after London, and Carl Walsh, senior vice president for VisitBritain in the U.S., described the historic spot as “a great starting point for exploring Scotland and the wider U.K., rich in history, culture, and character,” in his remarks.

For the daily service between Boston and Edinburgh, JetBlue advertised special limited time round-trip rates: $649 for economy and $3,299 for the premium Mint experience. The seasonal route is currently listed as running through Oct. 25.

“This isn’t just another route,” Erbeck said. “It’s a major milestone in Jetblue’s European growth story. Adding Edinburgh from Boston following our successful JFK launch last year, strengthens our presence in Boston and introduces even more travelers to what sets JetBlue apart.”

Beyond the excitement of a first visit to Edinburgh, I was looking forward to experiencing a particular JetBlue perk: staying in one of those sweet Mint pods that I’ve walked past so many times on my way to an economy-class seat. Once remarks wrapped up, I boarded the Airbus A321LR, which was dubbed “A Mint Summer’s Night Dream.” The jets feature amenities like free Wi-Fi (or “Fly-Fi”), snacks, meals from culinary partner DIG, seatback screens, and more across its 90 economy seats and 24 more spacious EvenMore seats.

Though, the 24 Mint business class suites with their lie-flat seats are the most coveted nesting spots for flights. Decked out with Scottish flags for the inaugural flight, the pods looked like hibernation chambers out of a sci-fi flick, especially under the soothing blue cabin lights. Apt, as each daily trip from Boston to Edinburgh is scheduled to depart at 10:30 p.m. and sees a few adjustments to Mint’s service to focus on a restful overnight flight.

I was greeted by flight attendants Kristen, Mary, and Anthony and shown to my Mint cabin for the flight, slated to stretch under six hours. Each passenger aboard the inaugural flight found a card offering a free box of whisky tea or Scottish breakfast tea from Whittard’s Edinburgh store, a stone’s throw from the new 100 Princes Street hotel. At 4A, I found postcards, a food menu, and a Caara pouch filled with goodies: a dental kit, socks, a Tuft & Needle sleep mask and set of earplugs, and a towelette, facial cleansing pads, lip balm, hand cream, and moisturizer from the brand Dr. Dennis Gross. A pillow and extra-long blanket from Tuft & Needle continued the spa-like vibe. I’m not the most relaxed air passenger, but here I discovered that the cure for pre-flight jitters was a glass of champagne offered by beaming Kristen, who was excited for my first trip in Mint.

I settled into my pod and swapped my sneakers for a pair of free slippers. Mary showed me how to buckle the over-the-shoulder seatbelt and order meals on my pod’s TV screen as I sipped a Limitless Spritz, one of two zero-proof cocktails that joined three boozy cocktails options on the drink menu, along with a wide selection of beer and wine. Anthony, though, was perhaps the secret MVP. For some reason my near-depleted phone wouldn’t charge in my pod, and without even asking, Anthony offered up his personal portable charger so I wouldn’t have to wait in the Edinburgh airport for enough juice in my phone to get me to my hotel.

“My father emigrated from Scotland to the United States as a child, so it’s my honor to pilot the first JetBlue flight from Boston to Edinburgh,” said our captain Ian Duncan during his welcome.

That nor’easter meant a bit of turbulence early in the flight, which also delayed dinner service by about an hour. As tempting as it was to lie flat in my seat and catch some shut-eye—while others around me tapped at their laptops in the glow of reading lights—I wanted the full Mint meal experience, so I curled up and watched TV. JetBlue features Peacock on its screens, and as much as I keep meaning to start Poker Face, I opted for a comfort re-watch of episodes of Hacks, with the sound pumping through the Master & Dynamic headphones.

A notable change to Mint’s service for all flights departing after 8:30 p.m. is the “Savor & Sleep” concept of a more limited menu served all at once, though the bites are still restaurant-quality small plates curated by New York City-based Delicious Hospitality Group. Mint travelers pick all their meals ahead of takeoff or can skip them all together, hit the “do not disturb” button in their cabin, and snooze through the whole flight. I opted for the full dinner service, a partnership with New York City’s Bar Pasquale.

Dinner came beautifully served on real plates. I dug into a chilled endive salad with cucumber, crunchy Parmigiango frico, and a creamy buttermilk dressing cut by a zesty lemon vinaigrette. The orecchiette pasta was the surprising highlight. Slightly al dente and with pepper-spiked Pomodoro sauce, a basil-heavy pesto, and a heap of shredded parm, I would’ve sworn it was fresh off the fire of a luxe restaurant’s kitchen. Slivers of artichoke, mint, and breadcrumbs joined a generous main course of pan-roasted chicken. A jam-like roasted rhubarb compote provided a welcomed, slightly sharp contrast to the rich dessert of vanilla gelato, with crunch brought by an olive oil cake crumble.

Ahead of takeoff, I opted for the to-go breakfast instead of the full-service offering of chia pudding with blackberry preserves, and an extensive coffee and tea selection. I’m glad I did, as I was so stuffed from dinner that I didn’t think of food.

Instead, I was happy to fully recline my seat, lay back on the Tuft & Needle foam mattress, and drift off for easily the most restful sleep I’ve ever gotten on a plane. When I woke up about four hours later, a to-go bag with banana bread, orange juice, and a canned iced oat milk latte was waiting for me. And even better, the green patchwork quilt of the Scottish countryside stretched out below, as the plane drifted down from the clouds.