Tag Archives: SAS

SAS to add two new routes to Miami

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is opening for sales of tickets to two new Scandinavian destinations from Miami. The routes to Norway’s capital Oslo and to Denmark’s capital Copenhagen will be served four and three times a week respectively and thus offering 190,000 seats yearly to and from Miami and Scandinavia.

SAS is the first airline to serve Miami International Airport with direct routes to Oslo and Copenhagen with first flight to Copenhagen on September 28 and to Oslo on September 29, 2016. The year round routes will be served with an Airbus 330-300 redesigned with completely new and ultra modern cabins. Departures to Copenhagen are three times weekly Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and departures to Oslo are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

SAS schedules the last Boeing 717 revenue flight for October 31

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is now planning to operate the last Boeing 717 revenue flight on October 31. The last flight is currently scheduled to be flight SK1768 between Prague and Stockholm (Arlanda) according to Airline Route. The 717s are operated by Blue1 (Helsinki) for SAS.

As previously reported, SAS sold Blue1 to CityJet and will continue to operate operate other aircraft types for SAS under contract.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-23S OH-BLP (msn 55064) in the Star Alliance scheme departs from Zurich.

Blue1 aircraft slide show:

Airline Aircraft Type “Endangered Species List” (kept up to date): CLICK HERE

SAS to launch eight new routes next summer

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is planning to launch eight new routes next summer. The airline made this announcement:

SAS continues to open new direct routes, providing nearly 600,000 more seats from Scandinavian airports in its 2016 summer timetable. More departures are also being added on a number of popular routes.

As the summer timetable gradually comes into effect from the end of March, SAS customers will be able to look forward to new direct year-round routes from Copenhagen to Reykjavik, Vienna, and Krakow, and from Stockholm to Gdansk. Krakow and Vienna are particularly popular holiday destinations, while Reykjavik and Gdansk both attract business and leisure travelers.

The new additions next summer also serve in-demand holiday routes during the peak season. During the summer, SAS will fly from Stockholm to the Greek island of Mykonos, from Copenhagen to Faro in Portugal, from Aarhus to Palma de Mallorca, and from Stavanger to Paris.

SAS is during the summer high season providing over 100,000 more seats to and from vacation destinations compared with last year.

More frequencies from Oslo

As well as the new routes, SAS is also enhancing its offering to and from Oslo with an additional daily departure on five key business routes. From April 2016, there will be flights to Aberdeen and Düsseldorf twice a day, to Brussels and Billund three times a day, and to Bodø eight times a day.

In addition to the new direct routes from Scandinavia to popular European destinations, SAS recently launched new direct year-round routes to the US in 2016: from Stockholm to Los Angeles, from Oslo to Miami, and from Copenhagen to Miami and Boston.

With the new routes to the US, SAS is opening a total of 12 new routes from Scandinavian airports in 2016. The new routes and additional departures mean that during the summer season SAS will be providing 579,000 extra seats compared with last year.

New routes

Copenhagen-Vienna
Departures from Copenhagen on SK695, on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. During the summer peak season, departures on Monday and Thursday. First departure: March 24, 2016.

Copenhagen-Krakow
Departures from Copenhagen on SK1735, on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. First departure: March 25, 2016.

Copenhagen-Reykjavik (Keflavik airport)
Daily departures from Copenhagen on SK595. First departure: March 27, 2016.

Copenhagen-Faro:
Departure from Copenhagen on SK2823 on Saturday. First departure: April 2, 2016.

Aarhus-Palma de Mallorca:
Departure from Aarhus on SK1513 on Monday. First departure: June 27, 2016.

Stockholm-Gdansk:
Departures from Stockholm on SK2759 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. During the summer peak season, departures on Friday and Sunday. First departure: March 25, 2016.

Stockholm-Mykonos:
Departure from Stockholm on SK2739 on Saturday. First departure: May 21, 2016.

Stavanger-Paris (CDG)
Departures from Stavanger on SK831 on Monday and Friday. During the summer peak season, departures on Monday and Friday. First departure: April 8, 2016.

SAS aircraft slide show:

SAS is coming to Boston from Copenhagen with a PrivatAir Boeing 737-700

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is launching yet another year round service between the US and Scandinavia. From March 29, 2016, SAS will operate daily nonstop flights between Copenhagen and Boston. As such, SAS will be the first carrier to fly directly to Boston from Scandinavia.

SAS is now launching a year round nonstop daily service from Copenhagen to Boston. In 2016, SAS will offer approx 500 flights between Boston and Copenhagen and 6,600 flights between Scandinavia and the US – a total of 1.6 million seats between USA and Scandinavia.

The route will be operated by an 86 seat Boeing 737-700 BBJ (Boeing Business Jet).

The route opens on March 29, 2016 and will be operated by PrivatAir with a Boeing 737 configured with 20 Business and 66 Go seats. Departure and arrival times are scheduled to connect with flights to and from Copenhagen to major airports in Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavian to New York, Washington DC, Chicago and San Francisco and recently launched new direct routes to the US in 2016: From Stockholm to Los Angeles, from Oslo to Miami and from Copenhagen to Miami.

Timetables Copenhagen-Boston

From Copenhagen: SK927 will depart daily at 12:50 arriving in Boston at 15:20.
From Boston: SK928 will depart daily at 17:30 arriving at 07.00 the following day.

Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. SAS Boeing 737-76N WL SE-REZ (msn 32738) taxies to the gate at London’s Heathrow Airport.

SAS aircraft slide show:

CityJet to acquire Blue1, CityJet will operate 8 CRJ900s for SAS

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has made this announcement today:

SAS’s strategy is to offer frequent travelers a broad network with frequent flights to, from and within Scandinavia. To adapt the size of the production to traffic flows SAS utilizes hired capacity, known as a wet lease, with smaller regional jet and turboprop aircraft.

In line with this strategy, SAS has entered into an agreement with CityJet (Dublin) on the wet lease of eight new Bombardier CRJ900s. SAS already operates twelve regional jet aircraft of this type through its subsidiary, Cimber.

The new aircraft, which each have 90 seats and are painted in SAS colors, will be put into service from March 2016 on routes and at times when there is a need for smaller aircraft. The wet lease agreement is for three years and covers eight Bombardier CRJ900s with an option on a further six aircraft.

As part of this collaboration, CityJet is acquiring 100% of the shares in SAS subsidiary Blue1. The sale of Blue1 will lead to a marginal impact on SAS’s income before tax, cash and net debt. The Group’s income after tax during Q4 2014/2015 will be negatively impacted of around MSEK 90, primarily due to write down of capitalized loss carry forwards. The sale and the new wet lease agreement are expected to increase cost efficiency and flexibility.

Above Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. It is unclear what CityJet will do with Blue1. Blue1 currently operates five Boeing 717-200s and SAS is selling the 717s to Volotea and Delta. The type is due to be retired at Blue1 next month. Will Blue1 operate the CRJ900s for SAS? Boeing 717-23S OH-BLM (msn 55066) taxies at Zurich.

Airline Aircraft Type “Endangered Species List”:

CityJet is a European airline that was founded in 1992. CityJet has a fleet of 18 Avro RJ85 jet aircraft and it operates over 680 flights per week throughout Europe.

In the meantime, CityJet made this announcement today:

CityJet wins major contract to operate SAS regional routes and places order for up to 14 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft.

Irish airline CityJet has been awarded a major wet lease contract by SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) to operate a network of regional routes from Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm . Commencing in March 2016, CityJet will operate services on behalf of SAS using eight new aircraft, with an option to increase to 14 aircraft in 2017.

CityJet has also announced that it is to acquire eight 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets, major components of which are manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast. The CRJ900 fleet will be operated exclusively on behalf of SAS, with all aircraft in SAS colors and crewed by CityJet staff.

In addition to the eight aircraft in 2016, the contract has potential to add six further aircraft in 2017, bringing the total aircraft value to over $650m;

Since becoming independent last year, CityJet has seen continual growth across its network, and will carry over two million passengers this year on its scheduled services, charter services, and a Paris-based wet lease programme for Air France.

The airline has recorded 40% growth on its key route Dublin to London City route in the last six months, as well as strong advance bookings for the new Cork to London City service, which commences today and will see up to eighteen flights a week on the route.

CityJet now employs almost 500 staff, with over 300 based at its headquarters in Swords, County Dublin, and additional crew bases in London and Paris.

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. SAS Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) OY-KFD (msn 14221) prepares to land in Zurich.

SAS aircraft slide show:

CityJet aircraft slide show:

Blue1 aircraft slide show:

SAS is the first airline in Europe to place the new Airbus A330-300 Enhanced into service

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) today places its newly-delivered 242-ton Airbus A330-343 LN-RKR (msn 1660) into revenue service. The pictured LN-RKR IS named “Tore Viking” and was delivered on September 16 and is the first enhanced version in Europe. The airline issued this statement:

SAS is the first European airline to fly the new long-haul Airbus A330-300 Enhanced. The first commercial flight leaves today (September 21) from Copenhagen to Chicago (O’Hare). SAS continues to strengthen its intercontinental offering with new aircraft and the launch of new routes to destinations with high demand.

SAS’s thirteenth and newest long-haul aircraft, Tore Viking, is flying from Copenhagen to Chicago on Monday, September 21, with a departure time of 3.40 pm. This is the first of four new A330-300 Enhanced that will be added to the SAS fleet over the next six months. Another aircraft will be delivered in September and the remaining two in 2016.

From 2018, deliveries will also commence of SAS’s new Airbus A350-900. The new aircraft enable SAS to improve its offering to customers and to fly longer distances with lower fuel consumption.

The materials and color scheme in the cabin of the new aircraft have been carefully chosen to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. All through the cabin, mood lighting provides a pleasant environment throughout the journey. The seats in SAS Go and SAS Plus are designed to provide good storage and create extra space. SAS Business has direct access to the aisle and seats that can be fully reclined into a bed position. The beds feature linen from Hästens, ensuring passengers sleep well. There is also a new in-flight entertainment system throughout the cabin, offering HD screens and wireless Internet access. SAS is also updating its existing long-haul aircraft with the same new cabin interior in 2015 and 2016.

The first new A330-300 Enhanced will the first month operate the route between Copenhagen and Chicago and will then fly from Stockholm to Hong Kong and Chicago.

On September 10, SAS launched a new route between Stockholm and Hong Kong, and in March 2016 SAS will be launching a new route between Stockholm and Los Angeles. In the fall of 2016, the new route to Miami from Oslo and Copenhagen will begin operating.

Facts about the Airbus A330-300 Enhanced

Delivery of four A330-300 Enhanced in 2015/2016; two aircraft in September 2015, one in February 2016, and one in May 2016
Significantly improved range compared with the A330 (10,400 km compared with 9,600 km)
Maximum weight 242 tonnes
262 seats: 32 SAS Business, 56 SAS Plus and 174 SAS Go
2% lower fuel consumption than the A330

Photo: F. Lancelot/Airbus.

SAS aircraft slide show:

Flybe welcomes the first ATR 72-600 to be operated for SAS in Sweden

Flybe (Exeter) is introducing an ATR 72-600 series aircraft into its fleet. The pictured G-FEXB (msn 1277) named “Eindride Viking” has been delivered to Flybe from the leasing company Avation. The ATR 72 will operate from Sweden in the livery of Flybe’s new partner in Northern Europe, Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm).

During 2015 and 2016 Flybe will incorporate into the SAS network five new 70-seat ATR 72-600s leased from Avation. The aircraft will be based at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport from where they will serve selected SAS domestic and regional destinations. The operation of these aircraft is a result of the recently announced six-year white label partnership recently established between Flybe and SAS, Scandinavia’s largest carrier.

The new type is expected to enter service on October 25 from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Kalmar, Ronneby, Sundsvall-Härnösand, Turku and Visby according to ch-aviation.

Photo: ATR.

SAS to go to double daily to the New York area from Copenhagen, will drop the Stavanger – Houston route

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) will use a PrivatAir (Geneva) Boeing 737-700 (HB-JJA) for an additional new flight to Newark from Copenhagen. As a consequence, the carrier is dropping the relatively-new Stavanger – Houston (Bush Intercontinental) route.

The carrier issued this statement:

SAS is boosting its offer to Scandinavian frequent flyers with more than 60,000 seats between Copenhagen and the New York area in 2016. The additional evening departure will be operated by PrivatAir with a reconfigured Boeing 737-700 that has most recently flown the Stavanger-Houston route.

From the start of the SAS winter program in late October, SAS will fly twice daily to the New York area from Copenhagen to further reinforce its position as the number one Scandinavian carrier:

SAS is currently servicing Copenhagen-Newark with a daily midday departure. The new SAS flight will also depart daily – except Tuesdays – at 18.25 from Copenhagen and return from New ark at 22.55.

SAS will continue these double daily Newark flights next year and so offer more than 60,000 extra seats between the New York area and Copenhagen in 2016, which corresponds to approximately 25% increase.

Closure of oil route

As a consequence of reduced activity in the oil industry, SAS has experienced a severe decrease in demand and thus passenger loads on the Stavanger Houston route. Hence, SAS no longer has sound commercial grounds for continuing this niche route.

“The oil route came out of creative and constructive product development between SAS and our core clients in the oil industry. We have done all we can to make it viable, however, we have had to accept that the downturn in the industry unfortunately is also impacting us, hence our decision to switch the aircraft to Copenhagen-New York, where the market offers far more potential right now,” says Eivind Roald.

The last flight from Stavanger will depart on October 23 returning in Stavanger on October 24. SAS will do its utmost to make alternative arrangements for all customers who have flight bookings after these dates.

SAS will increase its capacity with approximately 20% from Stavanger to Copenhagen by switching aircraft type from Bombardier CRJ900 to Airbus A320 and A321 on several departures.

Product and timetable

The route is operated by PrivatAir on behalf of SAS with a Boeing 737 that up until the end of the year will be configured with Business seats only, 44 seats. The aircraft will then be reconfigured with 20 Business seats and 66 Go seats. The service will correspond to a full SAS inflight product to overseas destinations except with an iPad entertainment system.

Departures daily from Copenhagen (CPH) except Tuesdays at 18.25 arriving Newark (EWR) 21.35.

Departures daily from Newark (EWR) except Tuesdays at 22.55 arriving Copenhagen (CPH) 12.45 (next day).

SAS aircraft slide show:

SAS launches a new route to Hong Kong today

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) first departure from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Hong Kong takes off today, making it the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. At the same time, SAS is reopening its lounge at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport following extensive refurbishment, which will provide SAS customers with an even better experience.

The new route is SAS’s fourth direct connection between Scandinavia and Asia, and SAS is the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest airports and is the largest in the world in terms of freight.

Timetable Arlanda – Hong Kong

Departures from Arlanda on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK963 at 3 pm (1500), arriving in Hong Kong at 7.20 am (0720) local time.

Departures from Hong Kong on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK964 at 9.05 am (0905) local time, arriving at Arlanda at 2.35 pm (1435).

SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

During 2016 SAS will open three more routes; Stockholm to Los Angeles, Oslo to Miami and Copenhagen to Miami.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 LN-RKH (msn 497) departs from the Arlanda hub in this winter view.

SAS aircraft slide show:

SAS to open new routes to Los Angeles and Miami

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is expanding and opening three new nonstop routes to USA in 2016. The new routes being launched are Los Angeles from Stockholm (Arlanda), Miami from Oslo and Miami from Copenhagen.

SAS is also increasing the number of departures from Stockholm (Arlanda) to New York (JFK) and Chicago (O’Hare) and between Copenhagen and Shanghai.

That means that SAS will now offer over 330,000 additional seats on its intercontinental routes in 2016.

The first flight to Los Angeles will depart on March 14, 2016 and SAS will have daily departures from Stockholm to Los Angeles throughout the summer season and five-six departures a week in the winter season.

The first flights to Miami are expected to depart in the fall of 2016 and the Miami route will have a daily departure from Scandinavia.

Timetable Stockholm Arlanda – Los Angeles

Daily departures from Arlanda (SK933) at 09.50 arriving in Los Angeles 12.15.
Daily departures from Los Angeles (SK934) at 14.15 arriving at Arlanda 10.00.

Timetable Copenhagen – Miami

Departures Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Copenhagen (SK953) 09.30 arriving in Miami 13.50.

Departures Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Miami (SK954) 15.50 arriving in Copenhagen 07.10.

Timetable Oslo – Miami

Departures Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Oslo(SK955) 09.35 arriving in Miami 13.50.
Departures Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Miami (SK956) 15.50 arriving in Oslo 07.05.

Stockholm – Hong Kong, September 2015

In addition to the new routes, SAS is increasing the frequency of its long haul routes starting with the winter program. SAS will then offer daily flights on the following routes:

Copenhagen – Shanghai (two additional departures each week)
Stockholm – Chicago (one additional departure each week)
Stockholm – New York (one additional departure each week)
Oslo – New York (one additional departure each week)
Copenhagen – San Francisco (one additional departure each week)

These new long haul routes and additional departures mean SAS will now offer its customers over 330,000 more seats on its intercontinental routes in 2016. SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo.

SAS aircraft slide show: