SAS Scandinavian Airlines announced this week that it is changing its commercial strategy following the acquisition of new shareholders. In future, the shareholders will include the Danish government andAir France-KLM in association with investors Castlelake and Lind Invest. By joining Air France-KLM, SAS is naturally leaving Star Alliance to join SkyTeam.
The company has published its schedule of changes. SAS to remain in Star Alliance until 31 August 2024. Customers will be able to start enjoying benefits with most SkyTeam airlines from 1st September 2024.
Following this transfer, SAS EuroBonus members will benefit from loyalty advantages with most SkyTeam airlines. The Scandinavian airline is currently in discussions with these airlines to ensure a rapid transition. Travellers who are EuroBonus members should have access to 19 new airlines and more than 1,060 destinations. Including many cities not yet served by the airline.
" We are delighted to be making progress with the transition of our alliance and to be paving the way for new destinations and new benefits for frequent flyer programmes around the world. Our aim now is to guide customers and EuroBonus members through every step of this transition. We look forward to sharing more details as they become available." said SAS Commercial Director Paul Verhagen.
Pending this change on 1 September, SAS maintains all Star Alliance customer benefits. This includes the opportunity to earn and spend EuroBonus points, as well as lounge access and priority ground handling for certain categories of Eurobonus members.
An intense summer programme
For thesummer 2024, SAS expands its North American routes. In particular, it inaugurated the Copenhagen-Atlantahub of Delta Air Lines, the future SkyTeam partner. The flight will be daily in summer and will be increased to 5 flights a week in winter. SAS is also offering two daily flights to Copenhagen/New York-JFK in addition to services to Newark from Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen. Copenhagen-Boston flights will also become daily, while a fourth weekly flight will link Copenhagen to Toronto.
On theAsiaSAS now offers a fourth weekly flight from Copenhagen to Shanghai and Tokyo-Haneda.
Finally in Europethe Scandinavian carrier is inaugurating services to Dalaman, Genoa, Ibiza, Salzburg and Tromsø from Copenhagen. It also connects Bergen to London and adds Geneva, Milan and Tivat from Oslo. From France, SAS is offering 25 flights a week this summer to Nice and is increasing to two daily flights between Paris CDG and Stockholm.
