Scandinavia's flagship carrier connecting the world.
Founded
1946
Headquarters
Stockholm, Sweden
Alliance
SkyTeam
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is the flag carrier of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, founded in 1946 through the merger of three national airlines. The airline operates as a joint venture among these three Scandinavian nations and serves as a major hub carrier in Northern Europe.
SAS operates an extensive network of routes across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, with primary hubs at Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. The airline has historically been a pioneer in transatlantic aviation and Arctic routes.
In 2022, SAS filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States as part of a restructuring effort, and subsequently announced a transition from Star Alliance to SkyTeam, which took effect in September 2024. The airline emerged from bankruptcy in 2024 under new ownership.
Hubs & network
SAS operates primary hubs at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL), and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).
Fleet
SAS operates a mixed fleet primarily composed of Airbus A320 family aircraft and Airbus A330/A350 widebody jets for long-haul routes.
Notable facts
- ›SAS was one of the founding members of Star Alliance in 1997 but transitioned to SkyTeam in September 2024.
- ›The airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in July 2022 and successfully restructured.
- ›SAS pioneered polar transpolar routes between Europe and Asia in the 1950s.
- ›The airline is jointly owned by Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, reflecting its tri-national heritage.
- ›SAS introduced the world's first commercial transpolar route from Copenhagen to Los Angeles in 1954.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
