Dan reviews SAS, the 777X is delayed again, and a St. Regis Miami deal

Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Wednesday!

Today we have a classic midweek mix: one airline review, one aircraft delay that somehow keeps getting worse, and one luxury hotel deal in Miami.

Here's what's inside today's post:

Dan's newest video is live. This time he reviewed SAS business class on the A330 from Copenhagen to Chicago.

I have never flown SAS long-haul myself, but I always assumed it was at least a solid product. Not one of the best in Europe, but Scandinavian, calm, probably some nice Nordic touches. The video made me rethink that.

The review starts with real promise. SAS has changed a lot recently, the airline is now part of Air France-KLM, leaving Star Alliance and joining SkyTeam, and Dan even gets one of the special 80th anniversary livery aircraft. The seat itself, the older Thompson Vantage XL, has aged fairly well. Flat, reasonably comfortable, and the even-numbered window seats are the better pick for privacy.

Then things get very SAS.

The lounge in Copenhagen looks underwhelming for a main long-haul hub. There is no boarding music, which sounds minor but apparently makes the cabin feel oddly tense. Dan's special meal seems to have been wrong, food choices run out early, and the pre-arrival meal looks very weak for a nearly 10-hour transatlantic flight.

The drink selection is actually a highlight though. SAS has some interesting non-alcoholic options including elderflower drinks and better soft drink choices than many European airlines. That is exactly the kind of Nordic identity I would want to see more of.

But the real problem came after the flight. Six weeks later, SAS still had not properly responded to Dan's customer service complaint. An airline can have a bad catering day. But when something goes wrong and the response is silence, that is where the experience really starts to feel broken.

Dan still sees potential in SAS. The free Wi-Fi, the drink selection, the general direction under Air France-KLM influence. But right now it feels like an airline trying to figure out what it wants to become.

At this point, saying "the 777X is delayed" feels like saying "water is wet."

This aircraft was originally supposed to enter service in 2020. We are now looking at a likely 2027 service entry, making it roughly seven years late. For an evolution of the existing 777 family rather than a clean-sheet design, that is a very long time.

The 777X is supposed to be Boeing's next-generation flagship wide-body: bigger than the 777-300ER, more fuel efficient, with new composite wings, folding wingtips, and a cabin that airlines like Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines have been waiting on for years.

The certification process has been painful. Engine issues, structural issues, regulatory scrutiny, and the broader Boeing safety crisis all running in the background.

I will say this honestly: I would rather Boeing and regulators take too long than rush this aircraft into service. The 777X needs to be right. But from a commercial perspective, every extra year means airlines keep older 777-300ERs flying longer, fleet plans get reshuffled, and Airbus enjoys a very comfortable position with the A350.

The 777X may still end up being a fantastic aircraft. Boeing really needs this program to stop being a punchline though.

Now for something much nicer.

I go to Miami a lot, and St. Regis Bal Harbour is one of my favorite options there. It sits directly on the ocean in Bal Harbour, which is calmer and more polished than South Beach. You are still close enough to Miami for dinner or a night out, but you come back to a quieter, more elegant base. And if you like luxury shopping, Bal Harbour Shops are right across the street. Very dangerous information for some people. There is also a restaurant I always visit when I am in Miami called Carpaccio, right in the shops, with great Italian food and atmosphere. Highly recommend.

The deal right now is a good one. Stay four nights and get a 25% daily discount, valid through December 23, 2026. Basically a 4th night free.

The rate includes:

Miami luxury hotels get expensive very quickly once you add breakfast, resort fees, and all the extras. A fourth-night-free structure plus breakfast and resort credit is a nice score in a city like this one!

If you are planning Miami for a longer stay or a four-night trip, this is one I would consider. And as always, we can help book it with the right benefits so you are not just getting a room, but the full package.

That's it for today. Dan's SAS review is live, the 777X is somehow delayed again, and St. Regis Bal Harbour has a very solid Miami offer.

More deals, news, and trip ideas coming your way on Friday.

Catch you in the clouds, 

Tomi from Points Master