SAS Scandinavian Resumes Seattle Flights as Part of SkyTeam Integration
SAS Scandinavian Airlines is set to resume service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) as part of its ongoing network realignment following its recent entry into the SkyTeam alliance. Starting May 21, 2025, SAS will operate five roundtrip flights per week between Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and SEA, marking its return to the Washington air gateway after a hiatus of more than 15 years.
This announcement follows SAS’s official exit from the Star Alliance, a strategic shift aimed at enhancing its operational efficiency and market presence. The transition includes a significant investment from the Air France-KLM Group, which has acquired a 19.9% stake in the airline. Additionally, SAS has received approval from the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) to commence codeshare flights with Delta Air Lines, its new partner.
SAS President and CEO Anko van der Werff expressed enthusiasm about the new route, stating, “The route from Copenhagen will provide more travel options for our customers and strengthen the connection between Scandinavia and the Pacific Northwest, a region of growing economic importance with deep Scandinavian roots.” He noted that Seattle has been a highly requested destination and emphasized the city’s expanding cargo operations, which enhance the route’s strategic value.
SAS originally launched flights between Copenhagen and Seattle in 1967 but discontinued the service in 2009. The upcoming flights will be the second route connecting Seattle to the Nordic region, complementing Finnair’s summer-season service from Helsinki, which will resume in May 2025.
Once operations begin, Seattle will become the tenth North American destination served by SAS, which also targets the substantial Scandinavian community in the Washington area, home to approximately 740,000 Scandinavian-Americans. The new flights will offer convenient one-stop connections to 39 European cities via Copenhagen, including Berlin, Helsinki, Milan, and Zurich.
SAS will also benefit from access to Delta’s extensive network at SEA, which serves as the primary West Coast hub for the airline. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, SEA ranks as the eighth-largest airport in Delta’s network by capacity, with over 650,000 available departure seats in September 2024.
In addition to the Seattle route, SAS recently launched daily flights to Delta’s Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport hub during the summer, with operations reducing to five weekly flights in the winter using Airbus A350-900s.
At the Routes Europe 2024 conference in April, van der Werff discussed SAS’s efforts to “untangle” its existing Star Alliance connectivity while increasing its presence at SkyTeam hubs. He hinted at potential participation in the transatlantic joint venture involving Air France-KLM, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic.
SAS is also bolstering its domestic operations through a long-term wet-lease partnership with Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA). This collaboration will enhance connectivity in Sweden, allowing SAS to provide more frequent services between major cities and regional destinations, ultimately strengthening Stockholm Arlanda as a central hub for both domestic and international travel.
As SAS continues to expand its network and solidify its place within SkyTeam, the airline aims to deliver improved travel experiences while maintaining a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.