SAS has extended its new hand baggage-only fare, following last year's trials on selected European routes.
The Scandinavian carrier launched the Go Light option in August 2015, initially testing it on routes between Scandinavia and Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain (see news August 18, 2015).
The fare option will now be extended to all flights to and from the UK from April 26, as well as flights between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, but not on domestic routes within Scandinavia.
SAS Go Light fares work out “around £10 lower each way than for SAS Go”.
The fare includes standard SAS benefits such as the option to cancel with a full refund within 24 hours of booking, the ability to choose seats from 22 hours before departure, and tea and coffee refreshments on board.
The carrier said that while it will still be possible to add checked baggage at the airport “those sure they are taking checked-in baggage when purchasing their ticket will remain better off booking a ticket in SAS Go”.
SAS Eurobonus Silver, Gold and Diamond members will be able to take checked baggage free of charge when travelling on SAS Go Light fares.
British Airways launched hand baggage-only fares on selected flights from Gatwick in 2013, before extending the fare option to all short-haul flights from London in 2014 (see news July 28, 2014).
Other European carriers including Air France, KLM, Swiss and more recently Finnair also offer hand baggage-only options.
Mark Caswell