SAS Scandinavian Airlines/News

From FlyerWiki

Back to --> SAS Scandinavian Airlines

1 Back to --> SAS Scandinavian Airlines
2 SAS to launch direct routes to New Delhi and San Francisco
3 SAS' EuroBonus joins Star Alliance upgrade program
4 SAS increases traffic to China
5 SAS new Stockholm Beijing route
6 See also
7 FlyerWiki Deutsch
8 References
9 External links
10 Ad a comment or review

SAS to launch direct routes to New Delhi and San Francisco

Next year, SAS will expand its fleet of aircrafts with an additional Airbus A340, thereby making it possible to launch two new intercontinental routes. In autumn 2008, New Delhi in India and San Francisco in the US will be introduced to the traffic program. India is a market experiencing strong growth and demand for flight connections is increasing. SAS will initially offer four non-stop flights per week between Copenhagen and New Delhi from November 2008.

“We are continuing to focus on satisfying our customers’ needs for new destinations by offering time-efficient non-stop connections from Scandinavia. Both India and the US are countries that are attractive destinations for both business and leisure travelers. We will offer an attractive product with three classes onboard and a high level of flexibility,” says Lars Lindgren, Chief Executive Officer of Scandinavian Airlines International. San Francisco will also become a new SAS destination from autumn 2008 when the traffic program is expanded, initially with three non-stop connections per week between Copenhagen and San Francisco.

“SAS currently has a relatively large traffic program in the US, with direct flights from Copenhagen to New York, Chicago, Washington and Seattle. From Stockholm, we fly to New York and Chicago. Based on our partnership with United Airlines, we have been able to offer a wide range of additional destinations in the US. Due to considerable demand we are now experiencing for travel to California, it feels appropriate that we add our own route to San Francisco,” Lars Sandahl, Chief Commercial Officer at Scandinavian Airlines International.

The Airbus 340 to be used on the New Delhi and San Francisco flights has approximately 245 seats in three classes: Business Class, with Business Sleepers (chairs that recline to a bed), Economy Extra – an upgraded economy class with extra legroom and extra in-flight service, and Economy Class. “The launch of these two routes is part of Scandinavian Airlines International’s new expansion strategy, which this year has resulted in the launch of three new routes: from Stockholm to Bangkok and Beijing and from Copenhagen to Dubai,” says Lars Sandahl, Chief Commercial Officer at Scandinavian Airlines International.

SAS' EuroBonus joins Star Alliance upgrade program

SAS Scandinavian Airlines' award-winning frequent flyer program EuroBonus has joined the Star Alliance Upgrade Award. It is the world's first confirmed upgrade award product offer by an airline alliance.

EuroBonus members can now redeem points for electronic upgrades on flights with a number of participating Star Alliance carriers, including Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI and United Airlines. Similarly, frequent flyer members of these carriers can now upgrade when flying Scandinavian Airlines.

Frequent flyer members can upgrade from Economy to Business and from Business to First. Upgrades can be booked online up to 24 hours prior to departure on the members' airline website or through their dedicated frequent flyer program office.

SAS increases traffic to China

As part of SAS's new China strategy, the aim of which is to rationalize air traffic and become better at meeting customer needs through such activities as expanding accessibility to the Chinese market, SAS has chosen to focus on Beijing from several locations in Scandinavia.

SAS has an extensive route network between Scandinavia and China. SAS will operate ten flights a week to Beijing Airport and from September 2007 traffic will be strengthened with additional departures from both Stockholm and Copenhagen. With Beijing's geographical location, the new airport terminal that will be completed later in 2007, and SAS extended cooperation with Air China, Beijing will be an excellent point for transfer. From March 25, 2007, it will be possible to fly nonstop to China from Stockholm with the launch of the sought after Stockholm-Beijing direct route.

"Beijing governs much of China's economic and industrial development. We see that many of our customers often prefer Beijing as their gateway to China. We want to open all of Scandinavia to China and our future vision is that Beijing will become SAS's gateway to China, regardless of whether customers fly from Stockholm, Oslo or Copenhagen and regardless of their final destination," says Lars Lindgren, CEO Scandinavian Airlines International.

SAS has noted increased demand for connections to Shanghai that are not routed via Pudong International Airport. The most sought-after destination among SAS customers today is currently Shanghai's domestic airport. With the aim of meeting these demands and appealing to a broader market in Scandinavia, SAS has decided to reorganize its traffic to China and will discontinue flights to Shanghai's Pudong International Airport from April 8. Instead, SAS can offer excellent connections to the domestic airport Hong Qiao Airport in Shanghai and to a range of other important points in China.

"Through our close partnership with Air China, we can offer travelers wishing to connect to other destinations a unique network of direct flights throughout China. In addition, this partnership means that customers earn Euro Bonus points, enjoy a smoother check-in and the availability of connecting flights that meet their specific needs," says Lars Lindgren, CEO Scandinavian Airlines International.

SAS new Stockholm Beijing route

As of March 25, 2007, the Stockholm-Beijing route will be added to our already extensive flight connections with the East. There will be four direct flights per week from Stockholm to Beijing.

Passengers to Beijing from Stockholm will have access to the very highest comfort. The route will be operated with an Airbus 340 aircraft equipped with SAS's well-known Business Sleepers in the entire Business Class cabin. The design and functionality of these seats has led to them being called the next generation of airline seats and they can be compared with a real bed when folded into the sleeping position. The new seats provide improved comfort and more secluded space than traditional seats. Departures from Stockholm will be late at night, making it possible to plan an entire day of work prior to the comfortable flight to Beijing.

To create as flexible a journey as possible, customers traveling on the route to Beijing can choose between Business, Economy Extras and Economy class. The Economy Extra cabin is separate from the rest of the Economy area, the seats are wider and passengers have more legroom. In this class, it is also possible to combine other types of tickets, such as Business Class, and security control will be quicker through the Fast Track area.