Gothenburg rarely gets the transatlantic glory that Stockholm or Copenhagen enjoy, which is precisely why seasoned travelers should pay attention to how they route there. There is no nonstop option for business class from Philadelphia to Gothenburg, so the real decision lies in choosing your connecting hub wisely. SAS routes through Copenhagen with its SAS A330 or A350 business class, featuring reverse-herringbone seats with direct aisle access, a product that has matured nicely since its rollout and pairs well with Copenhagen's efficient Star Alliance connections. Lufthansa funnels passengers through Frankfurt or Munich, and depending on aircraft assignment you may find yourself in the newer Lufthansa Allegris business suites, though on this routing you're just as likely to see the long-serving Lufthansa business class with its 2-2-2 configuration on European hub aircraft. KLM connects via Amsterdam, offering their World Business Class product with Delft Blue houseware service, a small ritual that regular flyers come to appreciate on the shorter continental leg into Gothenburg.
My own preference, after flying this corridor repeatedly, tilts toward the Copenhagen connection via SAS — the transfer is fast, Landvetter Airport is a short hop away, and SAS's own frequency into Gothenburg means better recovery options if weather disrupts your itinerary, which happens more than you'd expect in Scandinavian winters. An insider tip worth noting: SAS occasionally releases premium award space on the Copenhagen-Gothenburg shuttle leg that isn't bookable as a standalone ticket, so building your itinerary as a single award booking through SAS's own system can unlock seats that don't show when searching Lufthansa or KLM's engines.
Late spring through early autumn brings the best fare environment for this route, coinciding with Gothenburg's brief but glorious archipelago season. Given how thin premium inventory can be on these connecting itineraries, setting continuous fare alerts is the smartest way to catch a business class fare before it disappears.
