New SAS Route Connects Atlanta to Scandinavia: What You Need to Know
The Scandinavian carrier, previously a member of the Star Alliance, is now teaming up with Delta at its home airport in Atlanta to offer passengers unmatched connectivity with Copenhagen
Photo: Airbus A350, Business Class. Courtesy of SAS
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) recently announced a game-changing route for the Atlanta market and its many Delta frequent fliers—a new and first-ever daily nonstop flight from Hartsfleid-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Copenhagen.
SAS is Scandinavia’s leading airline, with main hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm, bringing an entirely new set of destinations to the world’s busiest airport.
The offering reflects the growing demand for travel between the United States and Scandinavia and the advantages of SAS’s new partnership with Delta and SkyTeam.
Photo: Courtesy of SAS
SAS President and CEO Anko van der Werff argues that the most compelling aspect of the new route is that it offers travelers a change of pace from the rest of Europe.
During a recent phone interview, van der Werff explained his thinking, “So many travelers are complaining that destinations in Europe are overcrowded and too hot. We can take them to a different part of the world, the nature and kindheartedness in Scandinavia where we don’t have mass tourism, and things feel bespoke and unique.”
There were several factors that contributed to the new route, chief among them the SAS’ new status as a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, which formally begins September 1.
Photo: Anko van der Werff, SAS CEO. Courtesy of SAS
“Atlanta is the biggest airport in the world, and the connectivity that Delta offers beyond Atlanta made sense for business and corporate reasons,” says van der Werff, “but the primary reason for the new direct flight is because we are changing our alliance and we wanted to tap into our new main partner’s hub—Atlanta. For us, Delta and Atlanta were always a no-brainer.”
According to van der Werff, the initial impetus for joining SkyTeam was partly due to a restructuring and equity process that resulted in Air France and KLM, both SkyTeam member airlines, becoming equity owners in SAS.
Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport / Photo: Courtesy of PANTHER MEDIA GMBH/Alamy Stock Photo
Delta frequent fliers will have the same interchangeability as other SkyTeam airlines—mileage earning, lounge access, and SkyPriority perks. More importantly, notes Perry Cantarutti, Delta SVP Alliances, and International, “This route is an extra connection to a part of Europe which has so much to discover and enjoy. Meanwhile, the U.S. is popular with Swedish and Danish customers alike, and Delta has many onward connections across the Americas.”
A daily nonstop offering on a widebody jet into Atlanta is a “major investment for SAS,” explains van der Werff. “Connecting Scandinavians to Atlanta is also good for business and cultural affairs.” Indeed, together, the Scandinavian nations represent the EU’s fourth-largest corporate travel market destination.
Photo: Airbus A350, Business Class. Courtesy of SAS
But notes van der Werff, “This is about much more than business travel. It is about everything. You can connect to so many opportunities with that one flight, both business and leisure.”
Atlanta-based cookbook author and Delta frequent flier Nandita Godbole describes Copenhagen as a “dream destination.” Says Godbole, “Denmark is rich in culture, and the convenience of flying out directly from Atlanta makes it such an excellent partnership.”
For those considering travel, van der Werff suggests starting with Copenhagen and exploring the easy-to-navigate downtown and the city’s restaurants and bars. Next, he recommends a visit to Norway for the fjords and sailing. “The food is awesome, and you’ll find fresh fish everywhere, but the sailing is unparalleled.” In terms of charm, notes van der Werff, “the prettiest capital in Scandinavia is Stockholm. It’s unreal. And the museums are just as amazing.”
The SAS route will run year-round, dropping from seven days a week to five during winter months, but argues van der Werff, “Winter is just as special with our Christmas markets, skiing, dog sledding, and the Santa Lucia festival of lights. From Copenhagen, you just have a 1.5-hour flight to skiing. From Oslo, you can take the subway to ski.”
Photo: Copenhagen. Courtesy of Nick Karvounis / Unsplash
Van der Werff wants travelers to consider Copenhagen another great hub for travel anywhere in Europe. “Copenhagen, which is a small and convenient airport, is going to be another great hub to reach all the places people want to visit, including places such as Estonia, Latvia, and the other Baltic states.”
SAS will operate the route with its Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft. Both aircraft types offer three travel classes – SAS Business, SAS Plus, and SAS Go.
