Compare / SK vs AY
SAS vs Finnair
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates SAS and Finnair for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
SAS
SK · Copenhagen
7.0
crew score
Finnair
AY · Helsinki
6.8
crew score
Choose SAS if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 17% more per month
- ✓Bigger network: ~130 destinations vs ~100
Choose Finnair if…
- ✓Actively hiring right now
- ✓English alone is enough — no Scandinavian requirement
Side by side
| SAS | Finnair | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $2,400-$3,000 | $2,100-$2,500 |
| Senior pay / month | $3,300-$4,400 | $3,000-$4,100 |
| Tax-free | No | No |
| Housing | Not provided | Not provided |
| Base | Copenhagen | Helsinki |
| Type | Full-service | Full-service |
| Fleet | ~130 | ~80 |
| Destinations | ~130 | ~100 |
| Alliance | SkyTeam | oneworld |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Reach / height | 160 cm | 160 cm |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Language beyond English | Scandinavian | None required |
Crew scores compared
SAS
Finnair
Apply
SAS
Seasonal and growth-driven campaigns across Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, frequently starting with temporary summer contracts; vacancies posted on the SAS group careers site.
Finnair
August-September 2026 campaign open for Helsinki-based cabin crew (applications via recruitment partner Barona, closing 6 September 2026), with training and flying start in 2027; windows like this are rare, so apply promptly.
Still torn? Let the data decide.
Tax-free money or home every night? Fast promotion or a calm roster? Seven questions, ranked against pay, lifestyle, career and hiring data.
Frequently asked questions
Does SAS or Finnair pay cabin crew more?
SAS pays more at entry level: about $2,400-$3,000 a month against $2,100-$2,500. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, SAS or Finnair?
SAS is periodic intakes (Seasonal and growth-driven campaigns across Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, frequently starting with temporary summer contracts; vacancies posted on the SAS group careers site.) while Finnair is actively hiring (August-September 2026 campaign open for Helsinki-based cabin crew (applications via recruitment partner Barona, closing 6 September 2026), with training and flying start in 2027; windows like this are rare, so apply promptly.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
SAS or Finnair — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
SAS scores higher overall in our index (7.0 vs 6.8), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.