Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is celebrating its 80th anniversary by launching special flights from Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo to New York, echoing the airline's inaugural transatlantic journey in 1946. The original flight, which took 25 hours with multiple stops, has now been transformed into a direct flight lasting under eight hours.

SAS President and CEO, Anko van der Werff, highlighted the airline's enduring mission: “We believe the world needs more Scandinavia, and our role is to keep connecting our people, ideas, and businesses with the rest of the world.” This sentiment reflects SAS's founding principle of cross-border collaboration to enhance global connectivity.

The airline's history is marked by significant milestones, including the introduction of the polar route in the 1950s and the adoption of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. SAS has also been a pioneer in industry collaboration, co-founding the Star Alliance and launching the EuroBonus loyalty programme.

Looking forward, SAS is investing in its fleet with plans to acquire up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft and 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional aircraft. These updates are part of a broader modernisation effort to maintain SAS's position as Scandinavia’s gateway to the world.

To honour its legacy, SAS will host an anniversary reception in New York on 18 September 2026, celebrating its history and future in transatlantic travel.

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