SAS Gold Lounge

The SAS Gold Lounge at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport is the Scandinavian’s carrier de facto flagship club, featuring a wide range of amenities across two stories.

The name “Gold Lounge” dates from the airline’s original affiliation with Star Alliance: the club used to be the exclusive territory of Star Alliance Gold members. In 2024, SAS switched allegiances and joined SkyTeam, propelled by an investment by Air France KLM. While the name “Gold Lounge” stuck, the lounge welcomes SkyTeam Elite Plus members and EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members going forward. Other lounge-eligible customers, such as Star Alliance Business Class, SAS Plus, and SAS Business class passengers, can visit the more modest SAS Lounge.

Both clubs are centrally located in Pier C, opposite gate C10, in the airport’s Schengen zone, near the main security checkpoint. Customers traveling to non-Schengen destinations should allow sufficient time to go through passport control and reach their gate. (The only lounge in the non-Schengen zone, the Eventyr Lounge, is not affiliated with SAS.)

SAS Gold Lounge CPH design

Perched high above the regular SAS Lounge and featuring a dramatic open floor plan and soaring ceilings, the SAS Gold Lounge at Copenhagen Kastrup occupies prime real estate and was designed to impress.

We had a soft spot for the original decor. In its inception, the SAS Gold Lounge used to be a beacon of Scandinavian design and featured homely touches such as colorful plush seats around fireplaces. It was warm and cozy, albeit a bit outdated: power outlets, in particular, were sorely lacking.

A few years ago, SAS modernized and remodeled the space based on the blueprint of the domestic SAS Lounge at Oslo airport. While the “bones” of the lounge are still there, including the fireplaces (though they’re not the focal point anymore), the new décor is colder and more sterile, and the floor plan more efficient (read: densely packed.) We miss the old design, but the makeover was necessary given the swelling crowds and the need to better accommodate modern travelers.

Despite a more modern soulless vibe, the SAS Lounge still incorporates numerous Scandinavian touches, including hardwood floors, wood paneling, and intriguing light fixtures.

The main area, located at the top of the escalators coming from the lobby, is the hub of the lounge and the focal point of the design. There, you’ll find the buffet, an expansive dining area, a barista stand, and a more residential zone with couches. Sporting cathedral ceilings, the space is light and airy, though sadly there is limited natural light: the only windows face another section of the terminal.

For views, you’ll want to head to the rear sitting area, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the tarmac. That’s also where you’ll find the most seating—and the thickest crowds, due to the dense seating layout.

Despite the remodel, SAS has preserved many of the lounge’s original facilities, including conference rooms and the business center. These spaces feel like a relic from the past, and take up valuable real estate that could have been repurposed to create a more spacious sitting area. Incidentally, the best tarmac views are from the conference rooms, which are typically off-limits without a reservation.

Fortunately, there are several options to escape the crowds: the SAS Gold Lounge has a few hidden gems. Turning away from the windows, walk back towards the lobby but stay on the upper floor and follow the left wall (facing the entrance.) Hidden away from the crowds is a large work area outfitted with communal tables as well as several full-size individual desks separated by privacy dividers. It’s eerily quiet, and often unoccupied. The desks have built-in power outlets, and individual lamp, and an ergonomic chair, making them a perfect place to work in peace (though phone calls wouldn’t be appropriate due to the lack of soundproofing.)

Walk all the way through the work area and you’ll find one of the more unique amenities: a “daylight booster zone”. More on this below.

Now, walk downstairs, but don’t leave the lounge. Tucked away at the edge of the reception area is a small and intimate living-room space, which, despite lacking daylight and facing the public concourse, is one of the more elegantly and comfortably appointed areas. It’s almost like a Scandinavian furniture showroom. Take a plush seat and enjoy the dim lighting for a chance to rest or doze off.

SAS Gold Lounge CPH amenities

The SAS Gold Lounge at Copenhagen Airport offers several amenities aimed at well-being and relaxation.

Wedged between the rear seating area and the conference rooms is a rest and slumber zone with recliners separated by privacy curtains. The concept is great, but the implementation poor: to find an open seat, you may have to awkwardly walk through someone else’s space.

For the ultimate in privacy, the SAS Gold Lounge features two individual, fully-enclosed bedrooms. Be sure to inquire at the reception desk should you want to enjoy these facilities are they’re likely to be in high demand.

Finally, adjacent to the workspace is a “daylight booster zone”, an SAS exclusive feature which debuted at the SAS domestic Lounge in Oslo. The room is equipped with a massive 4,000 lux light that aims at helping  travelers beat jetlag or get a brief reprieve from those long and dark Nordic winters. Realistically, it’s a bit of a gimmick, though light therapy can be beneficial to mental well-being, especially while traveling.

The SAS Gold Lounge features spacious bathrooms (including a unisex stall). Guests who wish to freshen up will also find well-appointed shower suites. We advise inquiring early as there may be a waitlist.

If relaxation isn’t on your agenda, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to be productive. The SAS Gold Lounge sports two business centers, two spacious conference rooms, and various business amenities.

The first business center is located near the rear seating area, and features tabletop seating with power outlets, several PCs, and a printer/copier. It functions well as a touch down space, but the area is noisy and sees high traffic. For a more private ambiance, head over to the opposite end of the lounge, above the lobby, where you’ll find a superb quiet workspace with individual desks and privacy dividers.

Two conference rooms with large windows can comfortably accommodate up to 8 participants, and may be reserved on a first come, first-served basis.

The food and beverage offering is a mixed bag. Outside meal times, the selection is rather limited for a hub lounge. The all-day spread includes crudites, cold cuts, eggs, cheeses, liver pate, and a choice of breads. We love the rotating cheese slicers as well as the thoughtful touches, such as the trays to easily carry service items to your seat, but don’t come in hungry or you’ll be disappointed.

At meal times, the selection is more generous, and includes a more substantial salad bar as well as a couple of hot dishes. The menu naturally showcases Danish fare.

All drinks are self-service, but once again the choices are limited: there is a soda fountain, Carlsberg on tap, and a couple of wines. Back in the day, SAS carried a range of liquor options, but we didn’t find any last time we visited.

At the barista station, you can order your favorite handcrafted coffee beverage, but service hours are limited and a long line forms as soon as the counter opens. Fortunately there is also a self-service espresso machine.

SAS Gold Lounge CPH bottom line

The SAS Gold Lounge at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport is a spacious and well-appointed lounge. An exclusive space for SkyTeam Elite Plus and EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members, the SAS Gold Lounge sports an impressive array of elevated amenities, ranging from the odd and unexpected (the “daylight booster zone”) to downright luxurious (private bedrooms).

There is, indeed, lots to love about the SAS Gold Lounge. Highlights include a superb quiet work area with individual desks, barista coffee, shower rooms, and cozy nooks with plush furniture.

Unfortunately, the average visitor is likely to have a less-than-stellar experience. The main seating area is cramped and noisy. The barista station has extremely limited hours. The food selection is typically underwhelming. The dining room doesn’t have views of any kind. And the location of the lounge in the Schengen zone means that non-Schengen passengers need to leave early in order to go through passport control.

The SAS Gold Lounge is a promising canvas with untapped potential. SAS could easily improve the experience by repurposing some of the lesser-used spaces such as the conference rooms, and by offering more substantial fare, especially outside meal times.