Surviving the world's longest narrowbody flight. (9+ HOURS!)

An insane 4000+ mile flight on a lovely new Airbus A321LR? Yes please - in this video I take the world's longest narrowbody flight for the 9 hour trip between Copenhagen and Washington Dulles in the USA. What's it like? Would you fly long haul on a small aircraft?
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0:00 Intro, flight explainer
2:04 SAS Business Lounge Copenhagen
4:42 CPH Airport scenes
6:16 Boarding SAS A321LR in business class
8:25 Taxi and takeoff
9:32 Seat tour 6K (throne)
10:48 Menu and business class food review
13:00 Amenity kit
13:20 Airfare explainer (WHAT I PAID!)
14:07 Bed mode seat overview
15:09 IFE details
15:37 Approach and landing into WASHINGTON DULLES, conclusions and thanks
My website: www.winginit.me
Date of Travel: 9 MAR 2023
Airline: SAS
Livery: SAS standard
Route: CPH-IAD
Aircraft: Airbus A321LR
Flight Number: SK 925
Miles: 4,063
Airborne time: 9h11m
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[@Paul_Lucas]

Surviving? Heck I LOVE flying narrow bodies on long routes! Would YOU fly long haul flight on a small narrow body aircraft? 🤔 let me know! 👇🏻

[@MrBlazemaster525]

If the seats are comfy why not lol

[@jenserikjohansson6228]

Can be hard

[@lowercherty]

Back in the day 707's and DC 8's were it. You at least had a real business class, not SAS's plebian "business class" coach plus on inter European flights.

[@nicholasgerken9934]

Would be intrigued to fly with JetBlue on their transatlantic route from London to New York. Probably a better service than one would get with AA or United.

[@andynorris3537]

Hell yes! Cmon Ryanair dare you.....

[@arbenbiscoff729]

“Surviving” my brother in christ you are in FIRST CLASS

[@yasminbarry7941]

😅

[@leegilbert7551]

Business

[@beezelyparker9695]

Want to see how he survives down the back 😂

[@yasminbarry7941]

@@beezelyparker9695 😅

[@bsr6823]

He’s too good for a morning pint as well. Says it all.

[@wheatwild]

With due respect Paul, surviving will be more suiting for a flight like this one in economy. Not to mention a middle seat. That will be surviving. Other than that, another excellent trip report. Thanks!

[@scotty241991]

Wouldn't that be exactly the same in a widebody where you could end up in a 3-4-3 confiq?

[@scottscottsdale7868]

I once flew on a flight from TNR to CDG in economy. 10 hour flight. Guy next to me sat down and went wide. He didn’t move all flight. I sat in the isle.

[@kernthorpe864]

@@scotty241991 and how about the middle seat on a 2-5-2 configured D10/M11/L10? Wasn't the argument in favour of that layout that the middle-middle seat would usually only be occupied by family members traveling together?

[@maxart3392]

Not really that bad. The A320 family has 18' standard seats while most of the widebodies have 17-17.5', so it should actually be better. Also only 1/3 of the seats are middle seats. Only B767 is better in this respect.

[@terryeiss8469]

It amuses me when people are amazed at long-haul narrow body flights. I grew up in the fifties and early sixties, frequently crossing the Atlantic on Stratocruisers and Constellations, later 707, DC8 and VC10 and into my first job, always most comfortable with excellent service.

[@Tvsnumber1fan]

I was going to say the same thing and I am only in my mid 30s. Many people just don’t know a lot about aviation history.

[@frankbarr9239]

Well you did fly Business Class and that surely makes a difference! Economy on a narrow body Long Haul might be a different experience. I probably wont have much choice in flying from Dublin (my home airport) on some flights in the future - as the A321 has been introduced by Aer Lingus on some routes to the USA. That said - given a choice I would always opt for Wide Body. I do love the Dreamliner and A350 in particular.-both very quiet and comfortable

[@colors6692]

Well just fly Business on the A321 Aer Lingus! What's the issue? The seats are exactly the same as in this video!

[@CallumElsdon]

Have been a subscriber for quite a while, Paul, but first time commenter. Thanks for the honest and factual reviews over the years - they are truly excellent and I'm glad to see you are staying true to the av-train-geek genre! P.s. completely get the title...got to get the eyeballs to the video somehow 🤣

[@tonytee2107]

The experience seems better than I would imagine. Thanks for sharing.

[@gavinscott5943]

I'm a massive massive fan of this idea and delighted you did and and even more so that you felt so good about the experience.

[@TheRareVideosXL]

What a wonderful flight with breathtaking scenery. Fantastic content as always. Keep it up.

[@scottyerkes1867]

I've had several trips on SAS many years ago. The aircraft were 747, DC 8 and DC 9(intra Scandinavia) and all were very pleasant. Thanks for the inside look into the A321 business class.😀💚

[@TheRudymentryGuide]

LOVE the video Paul! Funny thing about TMI Plant, I was living around there in March '79, and remember the evacuation. I've never seen that pointed out in a travel video. Great job, love the 321LR, and keep up the great work!

[@armzy]

Great video! As always!

[@neilcoram3495]

Great video Paul. Looks like you really enjoyed the flight

[@chaosfortune12]

That turbli promo was exactly what I needed after a sleepless JFK to LHR flight!!!!!! Maybe I need to check that out ahead of time 😊

[@GenkisTravels]

Great trip report! Narrow body or not, as long as it has a bed, I am sold. :)

[@jeff640]

Loved the plug for the turbulence forecasting app. I had no idea there was such an app. That's definitely now a part of my travel toolbox

[@andredonnelly8521]

Great video as always 😊

[@tjshan]

So happy you are wearing green and purple, plus you are a Ranga! Love your work

[@philippegosselin7756]

I would love to see a review of a long narrowbody flight but in economy

[@NathanKenyon]

Wild to see Three Mile Island pop up in your video. I grew up right next to the plant!

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Excellent review Paul!

[@jmaresq7756]

Great Video!

[@debramage739]

Thanks Paul, enjoyed that.😊

[@petersmith2216]

Great video !!! I really like watching your content it cheers me up when I’m having a rubbish day! I love aviation and as I can’t do what you are doing its really great to follow your journeys. Thanks so much and keep the brilliant content coming ! Cheers 👍✈️🛩️✈️

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you Peter I’m glad the videos make a difference!

[@Extased]

Thanks for the Turbli tip!

[@Paul_Lucas]

Welcome! I hope it helps.

[@ojosef4608]

Superb video! I may have to drug myself to do this for 9hrs. Kudos to you.

[@marklease9717]

Sometimes watching current aviation videos makes me feel even older than my 65 years......but narrow body long-haul flights were a reality up until the early '80s.....despite the advent of the 747, DC10 and L-1011s from the early '70s....long thin routes were still flown by 707 and DC8 aircraft. PA used them until late '80....TW until late '81. My last long-haul transatlantic on a 707-331B of TW from JFK to LIS (which continued on to AGP) was in Nov 79. PA on their JFK-NCE service was either a 747SP during the season, or a 707....until 80. So things have come full circle.

[@gobbledygook5786]

Hey Paul, I love your videos. SAS is a great airline, one that I often go out of my way to connect on during my trips from EWR to London. I love their bidding for SAS Business upgrades, I snagged a cheap deal for 450 pounds extra! Keep up the good work!

[@EdJonesVideos]

I love SAS' lounges. Never too flashy but, as you say, they do simple things very well. I've made some phenomenal sandwiches with the bread, salad and cold cuts they serve in the morning!

[@mikkelank]

Hey, you’re the first KZbinr this year fly for my country

[@heathertruskinger6214]

LoL...." Getting the window seat, so I can make sure the wings are still there !," Sounds like the best reason to me , to have a window seat !😅😅😅

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

SAS Who Fares Wins!!!! Awesome! Absolutely got it :)

[@DanTheCaptain]

I’ve flown my first 2 flights on a long haul narrow body last year from YYZ-DUB with Air Transat and the experience was surprisingly good! The airline being decidedly budget was alright but the aircraft itself, an A321neo LR, was great!

[@dsdonovan]

Continental ran 757s from Newark to a few European destinations in 2006. Flew EWR-ARN in old-school First (2+2), but CO offered full trolley service: newspapers, bar service, crown rack loin with paper doilies and ice cream sundaes. Compact but full service!

[@anthonylamesa7619]

That food is on another planet from what I watched Jeb eat the other day on a much longer and more "premium" Delta flight from LAX to SYD. Great job, SAS!

[@stephenburnside9179]

Excellent video.

[@lawrenceakini9507]

Have an amazing day! Fly and safe travels. Ciao. 2023.

[@philbarber8324]

That scrambled eggs looked good enough to fill in the potholes on our roads - you should have brought some back !!

[@jeadie2273]

Flew Play airlines from Boston to Reykjavik to Paris on a A321LR. All economy but great legroom and incredible service. Still a LCC but considering it was my first narrow bodied flight since I was 4 years old on a 707, I was amazed how fine it was. Helped that we had a whole row for all for legs for the 2 of us but it was still great and would not hesitate to do it again on a longer route, maybe with JetBlue next time.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Jetblue is great in business or economy, I love flying with them!

[@jeadie2273]

@@Paul_Lucas will be on them again Wednesday to Boston then on Iberia to Seville Spain. Love your videos…they always inspire me to go somewhere.

[@bsr6823]

Lol glad you survived. I have been transatlantic on the 757 and 321 for almost a decade with Aer Lingus in economy. It’s really not bad.

[@ReinSouls]

Well that was a pleasant surprise there towards the end hearing a shoutout for TMI. Grew up near the plant.

[@truckerman1427]

As long as it's not a CRJ I'd try it. The Salmon looked great , Cheers Paul.

[@mccarly3258]

Flew from Gatwick to Halifax Canada on a 737 Max and actually really enjoyed it. Quick boarding as it was a smaller aircraft. It was modern with WiFi and actually had more leg room then the previous 767 I'd flown on this route on. Thumbs up from me.

[@Darkcrowman]

I prolly would've called it Middletown, Pa. heh, most peeps do around there. Great vid as always.

[@filbertkm]

Did a flight like this from TXL (Berlin Tegel) to Newark (EWR) on United. Since Tegel was so small, it couldn’t accommodate super huge airplanes. Due to strong headwinds and potential weather issues in Newark, we had to stop for refueling in Gander, Newfoundland. Fortunately, I had a row in economy plus to myself so wasn’t uncomfortable at all. Hopefully this aircraft had more fuel capacity and this won’t be an issue.

[@robmurphy6077]

Brilliant 😊

[@rowanmorgan457]

Good luck on your next trip Paul. This one looked lovely.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thanks 👍

[@o2uk.]

Great video

[@tameonetwothree]

Paul colour co-ordinated with the telescope! Nice work 😉😂

[@keiththomas6861]

Looked like a great time

[@dazlebluefrogify]

my first vlogger i started to watch and still the best with excellent commentary,as for the flight would jump at the chance but in the back would be hard i think ,keep up the great video's mate and keep me dreaming ,just a question when you book flights you use surfshark but which country always the same ?i know its cheaper who you book some like that

[@K1W1fly]

Rocking the "Michael Portillo" colours.... :)

[@makale3889]

i flew from Brisbane to manila and return in the back of an A 321 with PAL....not overly anxious to repeat !

[@matthewdavies6470]

I took an Air Transaat A321LR from Toronto to Gatwick in 2019. I liked it for the cost. I was in the back row isle seat and it was weird seeing all the was to the cockpit and the flex on takeoff.

[@danfossconsultant]

Thanks for the video - any thoughts on the economy class experience in the SAS narrow body?

[@tommoseley5142]

Did a recent return trip London to jordan with RJ going out was a A320 and coming back at 787, do prefer the widebodies, maybe its a mentality thing but there is more options to stretch your legs on a widebody, single isles always feel cramped expecially in economy 😂. Love the videos, they always feel honest and not sensationalist unliike other youtubers who I wont mention😂

[@LoveStallion]

I'll be on an A350 CPH-IAD soon. Was debating a business upgrade, but right now I'm in economy, Woof.

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 👋

[@hyperthreader]

I flew on a Delta 757 from my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania non-stop to Charles de Gaulle in the middle seat in economy. The onboard service was fine, but I remember my legs being so numb by the time we got to France that I've always connected through Washington or Newark to get a widebody to Europe ever since.

[@gazwj]

Guessing the mistake was the flags at the beginning 👀 the famous Swedish city of Copenhagen

[@jaypainespotter]

Paul- "I'm a sucker for ice cream on planes." Me- Yes, I remember that Delta One review from LAX to JFK a few years ago when the ice cream was inedible, and you were disappointed.

[@richt71]

Good video Paul. However I got put off SAS last year when they went on strike at last minute and my Danish friends flight got cancelled to the US for a wedding. They literally spent hours on hold trying to reach SAS customer services to find out when/if they could fly.

[@MrGreatplum]

Great video, as ever Paul. If I flew a narrow body long haul in business, I wouldn’t mind either! I’ve only flown long haul on a narrow body once - Turkish airlines from IST to DAR (7 hours 35 mins) on a 737 700ER about 10 years ago for my sister’s wedding in Tanzania. It was cramped, uncomfortable and claustrophobic for that length of time in economy!

[@1pacarr]

Loving the custom name on the 120s, I had to rewind to make sure I'd seen that correct 😂😂😂

[@adamliebreich-johnsen6104]

“Good boy,” she said hoping for a sub response. That’s adorable.

[@markcainejenkinson6385]

Great content again Paul. Cheers 🍻

[@rapkae]

I'd love to try that. big fan of the a320 family

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Happy to see a new video on the channel! There’s never a dull moment with planes.

[@jim.pearsall]

I ❤ SAS!

[@Skurovski]

I flew on a MIAT Mongolian Air 737-800 from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Frankfurt with a refueling stop in Jekaterinburg and a travel time of 12+ hours twice. Once in Economy and once in Business. With no or very limited food during 2021 and no IFE even in Business Class. It was a grind and the experience on the 9.5h direct flight with their 767 was much better. But this looks like it doesn´t matter if it is a widebody or a narrowbody if the service and the seat is good and I´d give it a shot.

[@nicholasgerken9934]

Looks an amazing route. Would hardly call a First Class throne seat ‘surviving’, though! 😅

[@dianetravis1122]

It's quite obviously humour x

[@drdewott9154]

I'll say for sure, the long haul narrowbodies really open up the possibility of more trips. Heck as another example, SAS will open up another route with them this spring between Aalborg in Denmark and Newark Intl. This will be the first ever long haul route to serve that airport in the north of Denmark.

[@Paul_Lucas]

That is a really interesting route, yes. The type of route that could never exist without these aircraft.

[@trotva]

Welcome to Northern Virginia. Dulles is my favorite and hometown airport. As far as planes, it's simple. When I travel by plane, I look for time of travel at landing location. That way I can get to my hotel at reasonable time. Coming home its not an issue as I arrive whenever. Living 20 minutes from airport makes it easy to get home. I always plan a extra day after my trip before anything I need to do, just in case of travel issues . I leave my car in long term parking and take shuttle from terminal. Easy. As far as plane, I have never taken any trip using a specific plane. I never even look at that. To me, seat location, arrival time, day of travel and arrival times at location and home are only consideration. My last long haul trip was on a C-5 from Dover , Delaware,US to Taipei, Taiwan for the earthquake response. 17+ hours flight. No windows, box lunch, 1 bathroom, 70 rescuers and 4 search dogs.

[@santoshgujar3796]

Thanks

[@samitolonen1674]

Great video Paul! But Copenhagen is in Denmark, you’re showing the flags of Sweden and the USA in the intro. 😉

[@Paul_Lucas]

Yes, but did you watch until the end of the video? 😉

[@coolfeet77]

It was really surprising to see a SAS A321 flying into Dulles a couple of weeks ago. SAS used to fly an A330 on this route. Nice accommodation, though.

[@andrewsebastianrothgarnant350]

It's only a low season thing and due to lack of other long haul aircraft. It'll be operated by an A350 from about two weeks time and the rest of the summer before going back to A330s later on

[@rqstaffan]

SAS is well known for back in the day of regulated air travel being the airline that served too many shrimp in their sandwiches in business class. Maybe not their current feel, but it's a thing.

[@mottyk8491]

I still like the big planes. The last time I remember flying a flat bed on a 321 was BA LHR/TLV (at the time the seat was better than on the 777)

[@whatever8282828]

I know you and some other Aviation video-ers are fond of all the little cupboards in higher-end seating, but I would become so nervous about leaving a lot of stuff behind when I leave the plane!

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Have Not Try Out SAS A321 LR I Have Experience On TAP Business Class A321 LR From PORTO To USA.Great Trip Report

[@Paul_Lucas]

Haven’t tried the TAP ones but they are very similar!

[@quaysidetravelcentre425]

Paul love your videos. 2 questions. What gear do you use to video your travels? Second question, do you tap the plane by the door when entering an aircraft?

[@robertwalker1742]

Love the 321 Paul, much nicer than a 737 800.

[@markmitchell2658]

Travelled Manchester to kuwait 7hour plus. On narrow body very comfortable and plenty leg room as reduced capacity. From kuwait on way back only 88 passengers.

[@troytravels]

Great video! Agree on the narrow bodies opening up new routes. My question is how did you know Gdańsk was the right starting spot to save the $$? Safe travels!

[@gregory2kkk]

Great video! By the way, did you enjoy your stay in Gdansk? It's my home city, so I'm lively interested 😅

[@TheSurfingAlien]

Hi Paul. I like your content! Unlike some other flights / trains / busses reviewers, you seem to focus more on the positive side of your travels. Keep it up

[@Paul_Lucas]

I appreciate that Peter thank you!

[@andrewsherrill1791]

Heading from JFK to CPH tomorrow. I’d be happy with a narrow body if I were in business, but I’ll be satisfied with a 767 since I’m in the back on Delta.

[@dannyfox4705]

Flown TAP New York to Lisbon in a 321 neo ,business, did not like the small feel to the cabin, or the lake of food options due to limited galley space, the flight over on a A330.neo was great.

[@rezaalan3991]

Great flight. Long haul flights on narrow body aircraft is the future of the aviation, where more low demand route can be served directly or point to point.

[@skylineXpert]

Tried United 757 transatlantic when they still flew to hamburg and whow. Glad I did not head west but east...

[@kbroadhead10]

It will be interesting to see where Qantas sends its A321XLR in the near future, but widebody for long haul for me please. Seems perfectly fine for shorthaul like transatlantic, and I still want to experience SAS.

[@maartenkruijff4293]

Yeah doing it in business class is not really a challenge is it now!

[@HampshireHooker]

I don't have a problem flying small planes. I remember often taking a Lufthansa Canadair jet from St Petersburg to Hamburg. It felt like a private jet. I wouldn't mind a long flight in a 321, just so long as I was up the front like you and the seat was comfortable. I just don't fit normal economy seats.

[@herenow6953]

TBH in J class it doesn't matter much whether it's single aisle or wide body. The difference will be the window seat pax in what I expect is a 3 - 3 layout in the back. Now that is likely to be pretty uncomfortable for 9 hours.

[@TheArcarnus]

Yes

[@gittae8725]

Great report.🙂Q. What do you have in your glass jar?

[@Paul_Lucas]

The Little glass jar contains my SD cards! My mum gave it to me 😂

[@marcwolverson1186]

I remember flying from Manchester to Chicago on a 757 before US carriers all abandoned Manchester Airport. I think that was about 9 hours.

[@Charlizzie]

15:49 Yes, it's the flag of Sweden instead of Denmark at 1:56.

[@dlanodsknib]

Who's complaining about a "narrow-bodied" aeroplane. I flew on Qantas super-constellation propeller aeroplanes around the world in the 1950s. It didn't take hours - it took days! Seating? Two seats on either side of the aisle in First Class and three on either side in Tourist Class. (Just slightly reclining lounge chairs.) Them were the days! 😄

[@steveharper9814]

Great video. I’m going for the ‘blue and green should never be seen’ clothing error? 😊

[@Paul_Lucas]

It’s purple 😂 haha

[@steveharper9814]

@@Paul_Lucas - Must upgrade my IPhone (and my glasses 🤓. ) cheers