Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check

SAS pilot assessment

Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD

SAS Assessment GuideLeave your email and we send you one message the day it is released.

SAS is recruiting steadily in 2026 - experienced FOs for all Scandinavian bases (courses from fall 2026 for summer 2027), E195 direct-entry captains and A320neo crews for SAS Connect at Heathrow - while Air France-KLM's move to majority control awaits EU clearance.

Actively hiring experienced FOs, E195 DECs and SAS Connect LHR FOs/captains; cadet FO campaign intermittent (Oct 2026)

Get an email when the SAS guide is released

One email when it is out. No newsletter unless you ask for it.

While you wait

These guides are available now and cover the same preparation.

Ryanair Assessment Guide
Europe’s largest airline: cadet and direct-entry selection, tests, interview and sim check.
easyJet Assessment Guide
easyJet first-officer and cadet selection, step by step.
Cleared for Selection
The universal pilot-assessment handbook: tests, interview, group exercise and simulator check, for any airline.

See every guide on sale in the Pilot Shop →

SAS is the multinational flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, flying from hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm and carrying 28.3 million passengers in FY2025. After leaving Star Alliance it joined SkyTeam in September 2024, and Air France-KLM plans to raise its stake from 19.9% to 60.5%, with closing targeted for the end of 2026 subject to EU approval. SAS was born from cooperation between three national airlines and became a pioneer of polar routes and a founder of Star Alliance.

Key facts

Fleet	About 140 aircraft (Oct 2025): 88 A320 family incl. 81 A320neo, 8 A330-300, A350-900 (6 in 2026), 15 E195 (SAS Link), CRJ900/ATR wet lease
Orders	18 A330-900 firm + 10 options and 12 more A330-300 (June 2026); 45 E195-E2 + 10 options (2027-2031)
Bases	CPH, OSL, ARN (A320 & E195 per base), BGO (E195), LHR (SAS Connect A320neo)
Pilots	Not published; group average headcount about 9,100 (FY2025)
Hiring 2026	Experienced FO (all bases), DEC E195 (TR/NTR), SAS Connect LHR FO & captain, cadet FO when open
Entry routes	Cadet FO (CPL/MPL + MCC), Experienced FO (400 h CS-25), DEC E195 (3,000-4,000 h), LHR A320neo captain (4,000 h)

Entry routes and requirements

Experienced First Officer (E195 / A320)

EASA pilots with CS-25 experience (SAS Scandinavia / SAS Link)

EASA CPL(A) or MPL (ATPL also accepted); Danish, Swedish or Norwegian licence preferred, other EASA licences converted before course start
MCC course (Advanced UPRT listed on SAS pilot pages)
400+ h on CS/FAR-25 aircraft (2026 ad)
Valid EASA Class 1 medical

Direct Entry Captain E195 (type-rated or non-rated)

Experienced commanders (SAS Link E195)

EASA ATPL(A) (or CPL/MPL meeting ATPL criteria), valid IR, Class 1
ICAO English 5-6; EU right to work; clean record
One of: 4,000 h TT incl. 250 PIC/PICUS; 3,500 h incl. 500 PIC on >16 t MTOW; 3,000 h incl. 1,000 PIC on >16 t MTOW

Cadet First Officer

Newly qualified pilots with frozen ATPL

EASA CPL(A) + MCC, or MPL
EASA Class 1 medical; ICAO English Level 5+
Scandinavian licence preferred (others converted before course)
Unrestricted EU right to live and work (no visa sponsorship); clean criminal record

SAS Connect A320neo First Officer - London Heathrow

UK-based EASA pilots (employer SAS Crew Services Ltd)

EASA CPL with ATPL theory
A320 type rating preferred, not mandatory
EASA Class 1 medical; ICAO English Level 5
No incidents/accidents

SAS Connect A320neo Captain - London Heathrow

Experienced A320 commanders

EASA ATPL; 4,000+ h TT
1,000+ h PIC on CS-25 aircraft >30 t MTOW
EASA Class 1; ICAO English 5; no incidents/accidents
A320 type rating and UK right to work preferred

The selection process, step by step

CV and document screeningonline (SAS careers portal; email not accepted)
Licence, medical, last LPC/OPC, ATPL theory results, passport and last 3 logbook pages reviewed (upload via careers portal only).
Video interviewon-demand recorded video
Recorded answers to predefined questions (FO route).
Online interview with recruiter / SAS representativelive video
Live interview with an SAS recruiter (first step for DEC).
Online cognitive and personality testsonline
Online cognitive/quantitative aptitude and personality assessments (provider not published; candidates report an Aon/cut-e-style battery).
Assessment Dayin person
Welcome, group exercise, simulator assessment flown as PF and PM, and personal interview, assessed against the SAS Pilot Profile. Preparation material is sent in advance.
Final checksin person / admin
Offer or holding pool, then drug and alcohol test, five-year background check (criminal record certificates for every country lived in), security interview and licence verification/conversion.

Aptitude and psychometric tests

cognitive/quantitative
personality
pre-recorded video interview

Not published by SAS; Aon (cut-e) style battery reported by candidates

Group exercise

Group exercise on the Assessment Day (team problem-solving/prioritisation task, reported), observed for communication, teamwork and decision making.

The interview

Recorded video + live recruiter interview + personal interview on Assessment Day + security interview

SAS Pilot Profile: situational awareness, communication, workload/stress management, decision making, teamwork
motivation

Typical questions to prepare

Why SAS?
Why Scandinavia, and how will you adapt?
What do you know about SAS's ownership and the Air France-KLM deal?
Tell us about SAS's operating platforms.
How would you handle being placed in a holding pool?
Describe a time you disagreed with a captain.

The simulator assessment

Device	Airbus A320 FFS (reported); non-rated candidates get a cockpit and SOP briefing
Where	CAE training centre in Copenhagen or Stockholm (reported); SAS Connect LHR candidates may be assessed in the UK or Copenhagen
Typical profile	Not published; reported: departure, raw-data/ILS approaches, engine failure, go-around, possible diversion; flown as PF and PM

Language and after selection

ICAO English Level 5 or 6. Scandinavian language not listed as required in 2026 ads (useful for life at base).

Offer or holding pool; course start per operational need. Type rating paid by SAS (36-month bond reported; 3-year bond on DEC).

Common reasons candidates fail

Weak PM performance or poor CRM in the sim
Losing control of workload during the non-normal
Generic motivation with no knowledge of SAS's platforms and ownership
Poor self-reflection or defensive debrief
Dominating or passive behaviour in the group exercise

Get the complete SAS Assessment Guide

196 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Airbus A320neo / A350 systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.

Look inside the guide

Status: Preview · current to October 2026 · not on sale yet · join the waiting list

About this guide

Format: PDF (bookmarked, iPad-optimised)
Language: English
Edition: Ed 2026 · Revision 1.0
Current to: October 2026
Pages: 196
Status: Preview · not on sale yet
Licence: Personal, single user · see licence terms
Updates: Update policy to be announced before sales open
Simulator stage: Covered as reported by candidates and public sources

Independent publication. Facts in this overview are labelled “reported” when they come from candidate reports rather than official sources — see the editorial standards. Notify me about this guide · See it in the catalogue

Practice questions: company knowledge

Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.

When was SAS founded?

1 August 1946, by the airlines of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

When did SAS join SkyTeam?

1 September 2024, a day after leaving Star Alliance.

What is Air France-KLM's current stake and target?

19.9% now, rising to 60.5% (pending regulatory approval).

Which shareholders sell to Air France-KLM?

Castlelake (32%) and Lind Invest (8.6%).

What stake does the Danish State keep?

26.4%.

What widebody order did SAS place in June 2026?

18 A330-900 firm, 10 options, plus 12 additional A330-300s: up to 40 aircraft.

Preparation guides

Pilot Aptitude Tests: What They Measure and How to Practise Pilot Assessment Guide: How Airline Selection Works and How to Prepare Pilot Group Exercise: How to Show Real Crew Behaviour Pilot Interview Questions: How to Prepare Competency and Technical Answers Pilot Personality Questionnaire: Honesty, Consistency and Crew Fit Pilot Simulator Assessment: What to Expect and How to Prepare Pilot Technical Interview: Key Topics and How to Explain Them

Other airline assessments

Main sources

https://careers.sasgroup.net/job/Kastrup-EXPERIENCED-FIRST-OFFICER/1288107401/
https://careers.sasgroup.net/job/Kastrup-DIRECT-ENTRY-CAPTAIN-E195-%28TRNTR%29-ALL-BASES/1291477801/
https://careers.sasgroup.net/job/Kastrup-CADET-FIRST-OFFICER/1288108301
https://jobbank.dk/en/job/2899000/sas-scandinavian-airlines-system/join-sas-as-a-experienced-first-officer
https://www.sasgroup.net/career/teams/pilot-jobs/Pilot-Recruitment-Process/

SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with SAS. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.