Scandinavian Airlines

  About Scandinavian Airlines

Scandinavian Airlines, popularly referred to as SAS, is the flag carrier for Scandinavian countries including Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The abbreviation SAS stands for Scandinavian Airlines System, also formally known as Scandinavian Airlines System Denmark-Norway-Sweden. One portion of the headquarters is at the SAS Frösundavik Office Building, located in Solna, Sweden. The main hub of Scandinavian Airlines is located at the Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport. It has connections with about 109 international destinations. The second-largest hub for Scandinavian Airlines is at Stockholm Arlanda Airport while the third one is at Oslo Airport Gardermoen. Some of the smaller hubs for Scandinavian Airlines include Sola, Flesland, Göteborg Landvetter Airport, Trondheim Airport, Værnes, Bergen Airport, to name a few. Reportedly, in 2017, Scandinavian Airlines accommodated 28.6 million passengers and eventually achieved a revenue of 40 billion Swedish kronor. SAS is the eighth-largest airline in the European continent and the largest in Sweden and Denmark.

Founded in 1946, Scandinavian Airlines was birthed by a consortium to bring forth transatlantic operations for Denmark's airline Det Danske Luftfartselskab, Sweden's airline Svensk Interkontinental Lufttrafik and Norway's Det Norske Luftfartselskap. Two years from the genesis, the consortium also extended its cooperation to accommodate European and domestic operations. Eventually, in 1951, the airlines merged under the consortium to create the Scandinavian Airlines System. SAS is also known to be an icon of Swedish-Norwegian-Danish cooperation. SAS is also one of the founding members of the major airline alliance, Star Alliance. They joined the league in 1997, along with Air Canada, Thai Airways International, Lufthansa and United Airlines. Government holdings of SAS have changed with Sweden having 21.4 per cent shares while Norway and Denmark hold 14.3 per cent respectively. The remaining 50 per cent shares are publicly held as they are traded in the stock market. Much recently, Norway announced that they are giving up all the shares to the organisation.

Much recently, the airlines revealed its new livery, which will be rolled out to the whole fleet by 2024. It was initially showcased on their new A350 and A320neo. SAS aircraft is predominantly white with a light beige fuselage that has "Scandinavian" written above the windows and "Airlines" etched below the windows. The airline has used the typeface Rotis SSemi Serif. The classic white SAS logo has been imprinted on the vertical stabiliser and winglets, in blue.

Fleet size of Scandinavian Airlines

Scandinavian Airlines System fleet comprises of 180 aircraft and has aircraft such as Airbus A319, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A330, Airbus A350, Boeing 737 Next Generation, Airbus A320, Airbus A321 and Airbus A340. The airline also has wet leases ATR 72, A320neo and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline has been working on expansion plans for short-haul and long haul flights that fall under its fleet. In 2011, the Scandinavian Airlines announced to order 30 new A320neo aircraft to harmonise their fleet. Their vision is to have an all-Airbus fleet at both its bases in Stockholm and Copenhagen. The plan to have mixed A320neo and A320ceo fleet operations from both the airline bases. As for their Oslo base, SAS plans to keep all the Boeing 737-800 aircraft operations. SAS plans to achieve their eventual goal to have an all-Airbus fleet by 2023.

As part of their long-haul aircraft plan, in 2013, the airlines and Airbus signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) where it was stated that the airline plans to buy twelve new-generation aircraft along with six options. As part of the agreement, the plan was to replace the ageing A340-300s with A350-900s and A330-300Es. The first eight Airbus A350-900s for Scandinavian Airlines is expected to be delivered by 2019 with long haul options kickstarting at the beginning of 2020. The new Airbus fleet operating for SAS is set to follow international routes by connecting with cities such as Tokyo, San Francisco, Beijing, Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.

 Scandinavian Airlines Baggage Allowance

Scandinavian Airlines' baggage allowance varies depending on the ticket type of passenger. If you are a EuroBonus member, which is their mileage plan, the baggage perks are better compared to a regular economy class passenger. According to the Scandinavian Airlines standards, the maximum weight of the checked bag is 32 kg. The passenger will have to pay a nominal fee if the weight exceeds the said number. Simultaneously, the dimensions of the check-in baggage stand at 158 cm (this includes the length + width + height). Strollers or pram can also be considered as checked baggage and will need to adhere to the weight check of 23 kg and not more than that. Depending on the weight of the baggage, if it exceeds the standard margin, the passenger will have to pay an extra fee to accommodate the baggage. Details of the fees for extra baggage can be found on the official website of the Scandinavian Airlines System website. Usually, delicate and fragile items such as sporting equipment, strollers and musical instruments are allowed onboard, often they are sent in the checked baggage. Hence, it is essential to pack them properly and avoid any damage or mishandling of the equipment.

Baggage that can be carried onboard is also limited as one bag, and a small handbag/laptop bag is allowed with the passenger. The rule applies to all the classes and should be followed. The weight and size of the luggage that is being carried for overhead and under the seat need to be checked beforehand. The weight and size will be mentioned and might vary depending on the economy class and business class. Hence, the best way to approach this would be to check for more details at the airlines or peruse through their website. All the details concerning the baggage have been mentioned by them. The clauses for baggage also differ depending on the country or continent you are travelling to or from.

Scandinavian Airlines In-flight services

SAS Business - Scandinavian Airlines' in-flight services for the business class, are quite elite. The services range from a massage seat installed onboard which converts into a fully flat bed to being pampered with a champagne flute along with a three-course meal. The overall experience of flying in business class of SAS is quite good. They have entertainment systems installed as well with 15.4" HD screen for entertainment, free seat selection and free WiFi services. The private seat further offers power outlets too for individuals to charge laptops, phones and other electronic gadgets.

SAS Plus - SAS Plus is more like the Premium Economy class for Scandinavian Airlines. The cabin is blessed with exquisite in-flight services that range from piping hot meals to chilled beer. You can choose your seat for free too. Not to mention how the airline also has double checked-in baggage allowance reserved for passengers flying from SAS Plus. The wide-body aircraft seating is configured in a 2-3-2 pattern. The seats are also wide than the ones you would find in the economy. The premium economy class ticket also enables you to access the lounges as well as fast track security procedures at the airport. The seats are comfortable and reclining with adjustable headrest and entertainment system of 12" HD screen.

SAS Go - SAS Go is the economy class of Scandinavian Airlines. The airline touts the economy class to be their best value class which offers great in-flight services as well as promises a comfortable journey. At the economy class, you are eligible to purchase snacks and light meals, including beverages from the airlines' menu. A pre-order for the meal can also be made while purchasing the air ticket. WiFi is available for free at the economy class. If you need to choose a seat, you will need to pay a certain fee. The airline offers personal entertainment systems to the passengers along with meals that are included if you are travelling from the US and Asian countries. There are power outlets to charge electronic gadgets too along with great reclining seats.

Popular routes and top cities for Scandinavian Airlines

Scandinavian Airlines has terminated some of its domestic routes and international routes following some cost-cutting. They have completely terminated flights to the Middle Eastern cities. However, they still are well-connected to some of the big international cities in the world. These include Stockholm, Geneva, Bangkok, Istanbul, London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Zurich, Madrid, Saint Petersburg, Warsaw, Oslo, Alta, Amsterdam, Luxembourg City, Riga, Tokyo, Milan, Rome, Dublin, Budapest, Delhi, Athens, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Paris, Nice, Helsinki, Hong Kong and Beijing, to name a few. Much of the flights from Scandinavian Airlines are well-connected with European cities.

Why travel by Scandinavian Airlines?

Scandinavian Airlines has some limited connectivity as it does not primarily cater to various international destinations. However, when it comes to domestic route connections, the airline is perfectly networked. Some of the biggest perks of travelling via SAS is the ability to reach Scandinavian cities without much stress. You can book Scandinavian Airlines flights on their website as well as on some specific travel portals. Further on their website, you can also do your web check-in, find out about the flight status and know more about the Scandinavian Airlines' flight schedule.