SAS to add new summer services from Scandinavia to the USA

SAS is expanding its transatlantic operation, with planes to start new services from Denmark and Sweden.

The new routes from Aalborg (Denmark) and Gothenburg (Sweden) will be able to fly directly to New York (Newark) three times weekly. They will utilise the Airbus A321 Long Range (A321LR) to operate these routes. The aircraft is configured in a three-class configuration, with 22 Business, 12 Plus and 123 Go seats for a total of 157 seats.

Gothenburg – New York EWR will operate three times a week, outbound Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Inbound Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 28th April (outbound), 27 April (inbound).

Meanwhile, the Aalborg – New York EWR service will also run three times a week, outbounds on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, inbound Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 27th April (outbound), 28th April (inbound).

The flights will operate throughout the summer 2023 season and will return for the summer 2024 program.

The new routes complement SAS’ other four routes to New York and SAS will offer a total of five daily departures from Scandinavia to New York.

In Quotes

Erik Westman, EVP & CCO, Network and Revenue management said

“As part of SAS’ strategy to strengthen the regional offering in Scandinavia, we are pleased to add intercontinental routes from Gothenburg and Aalborg. We see a demand from secondary cities and are delighted to connect even more parts of the world. The Airbus A321 Long Range is a slightly smaller long-distance aircraft and perfect in size for servicing the regional markets. Having a comfortable way of traveling with fewer stops to exciting cities such as New York, is something we believe will be highly valued by our travelers,” 

A clever use of timetabling

It’s a very interesting move, utilising one aircraft to cover two routes and using a “right-sized” aircraft. For some routes an A330 like SAS uses would be “too much of an aircraft”, resulting in empty seats and wasted capacity that could be used elsewhere on the SAS network.

By utilising an A321LR, SAS can provide point-to-point service, “right-sizing” the service and deploy capacity where it is needed.

It also shows the flexibility of the A321LR being able to operate the “thin and long” routes and may give ideas for other airlines too when they take delivery of the A321LRs…. or XLRs.