Scandinavian Airlines Systems ( SAS) is undergoing a transformation as it transitions into the SkyTeam Alliance and repositions itself at home and abroad. Simple Flying recently sat down with the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Verhagen, to learn more about the airline’s US expansion, new partnerships, and Copenhagen Hub.
Swinging into Seattle
SAS was the first European Airline to serve Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in 1966 and will return to the Pacific Northwest Airport next summer. The link is set to capitalize on the airport’s status as a hub for fellow SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines, which recently launched a codeshare with the Scandinavian flag carrier.
Related SAS Announces New Route To Seattle-Tacoma Airport For Summer 2025 The last time that SAS served flights from Copenhagen to Seattle was in July 2009.
When the Airbus A350 flights launch on May 21st, they will mark the carrier’s 11th destination in North America. The reintroduction of Seattle-Tacoma follows the launch of flights from Copenhagen to Atlanta, which has already seen bookings representing load factors of over 90%.
Photo: Renatas Repcinskas | Shutterstock
Naturally, the route serves to connect passengers from Delta’s busiest hub in the US to almost 40 European cities via Copenhagen, including key destinations such as Berlin, Helsinki, Milan, and Zurich.
Concentrating in Copenhagen
SAS has long served as the flag carrier for the countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. However, following the completion of its successful restructuring process, the Danish State is the only country that remains a principal owner, alongside private investors Castlelake, Lind Invest, and Air France-KLM.
Related SAS Welcomes New Era Amid Bankruptcy Exit SAS has finally exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and the subsequent company reorganization in Sweden.
In this new era, SAS is positioning Copenhagen Airport (CPH) as its main hub and a key international gateway to and from Scandinavia and Northern Europe, beginning with 15 new routes next summer. Several factors went into the selection of Copenhagen as the new focus hub. According to CCO Paul Verhagen, the airport’s Southern location makes it easier to connect to the rest of Europe without backtracking, and the airport’s existing infrastructure leaves room for additional growth.
The new routes introduced in the 2025 summer schedule from CPH are Krakow, Madrid, Budapest, Lyon, Valencia, Malta, Bucharest, Milan Linate, Seattle-Tacoma, Seville, Turku, Billund, Kristiansand, Harstad/Narvik and Bodø.
Photo: Chakarin Wattanamongkol | Shutterstock
This is not to say that the airline’s other Scandinavian hubs are to be neglected. Sweden’s Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) will still have more than 70 direct routes (including new links to Halmstad, Kalmar, and Sälen) and around 120 daily departures. In Norway, Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) will maintain up to 125 daily departures to more than 60 destinations, including a new service to New York JFK.
Leveling up loyalty
Another way SAS is rapidly expanding is through its partnerships with its new SkyTeam Alliance partners. While SAS is not yet part of the group’s transatlantic joint venture that includes Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic (it was not included in the Star Alliance transatlantic venture either), Verhagen suggests that it remains a possibility as the airline is expanding its codeshare agreements with its new partners.
The carrier’s codeshare agreement with Delta came into effect on September 25th and offers improved connection opportunities between North America and Scandinavia and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem SkyMiles or SAS EuroBonus points across both carriers.
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Last week, the codeshare with Virgin Atlantic commenced, offering passengers on flights from the US and Canada seamless onward connections through London Heathrow and Manchester onto SAS’ services to Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stavanger, and Bergen. The agreement also provides additional perks for frequent flyers, such as access to SkyPriority services and SAS lounges at Stockholm Arlanda, Copenhagen, and Oslo airports.
Photo: B.Forenius | Shutterstock
Members of the SAS EuroBonus frequent flyer program also love the new redemption opportunities opened up by SkyTeam partners. According to Verhagen, award ticket redemptions since the change have been “staggering.” Compared to the same week last year and in previous years, EuroBonus passengers are booking “five to ten times” more award tickets as new destinations, including Bali and Cancun, become available thanks to the new partners.
One of the most unique was that SAS is celebrating its new airline partnerships through its
Exclusive: How SAS Is Capitalizing On Its SkyTeam Alliance Membership With New Links To The US And Copenhagen Hub
