Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is charting a course for the future of air travel with its recent announcement of a new route to Atlanta and its transition to the SkyTeam Alliance. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of SAS’s expansion plans and how they are reshaping the airline’s presence in the United States and beyond.
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has been making headlines with its plans to leave the Star Alliance and join the SkyTeam Alliance, thanks to a proposed partial takeover by the Air France-KLM Group. As this transition unfolds, many have wondered how it would impact SAS’s existing relationships with Star Alliance carriers and their hubs. Recent route announcements by SAS provide intriguing insights into the airline’s plans. This blog post will explore SAS’s exciting new Atlanta route and its broader implications.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) proudly holds the title of the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, a distinction it has maintained for over two decades. Scandinavian Airlines is set to launch a new service from Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) to Atlanta on June 17th. Initially, this route will operate daily, with the Airbus A330-300 as the aircraft of choice. However, during winter, the road will be reduced to a five-weekly frequency and upgraded to the Airbus A350-900. This new service will become the sole route connecting Atlanta and the Nordic region.
The new service will initially operate with the following schedule, which is expected to continue when it reduces to a five-weekly frequency in the winter:
SAS’s new route to Atlanta coincides with a partnership agreement with Delta Air Lines. SAS has already begun including Delta flights on its itineraries, offering customers more connectivity options. Passengers can seamlessly transition between SAS and Delta flights, opening up a world of possibilities, especially from Atlanta, Delta’s largest hub. SAS has also revealed plans for additional daily flights to JFK and increased frequencies to Boston, which are significant Delta hubs. While no frequency reductions for Star Alliance hubs have been announced yet, Air France-KLM Group’s purchase of up to 20% of SAS’s shares is influencing the carrier’s transition into SkyTeam.
While no official timeline has been provided for SAS’s departure from Star Alliance, the airline’s recent moves signal significant progress towards joining SkyTeam. This transition could add more U.S. cities to SAS’s network, offering seasonal and year-round service. Potential destinations include SkyTeam hubs like Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), and even a revival of the Seattle (SEA) route that SAS once served. However, SAS has yet to unveil its plans for additional U.S. destinations, leaving travelers eager to see how the airline’s network will evolve.
SAS’s new Atlanta route and partnership with Delta Air Lines are significant in the airline’s journey towards the SkyTeam Alliance. As it continues to expand its U.S. presence and make strategic alliances, SAS’s future in the world of aviation promises exciting developments for travelers seeking seamless connections and new destinations. Stay tuned as we watch SAS soar to new heights in the evolving airline landscape.
