Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), currently in its insolvency process, seems to be experimenting with its transatlantic routes. After announcing flights to New York JFK, the airline has now revealed it will begin operating transatlantic flights from Aalborg and Gothenburg.
From Aalborg and Gothenburg to New York
Starting 27th April 2023, SAS will operate 3-flights-a-week between Denmark’s Aalborg Airport and US’ Newark Liberty International Airport with the following schedule:
- Aalborg-Newark
- Departure time: 18:35
- Arrival time: 21:05
- Flight time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
- Flight number: SK921
- Frequency: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Newark-Aalborg
- Departure time: 23:30
- Arrival time: 13:05 (the next day)
- Flight time: 7 hours and 35 minutes
- Flight number: SK922
- Frequency: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
As of 28th April 2023, SAS will fly 3-times-a-week between Sweden’s Gothenburg Airport and US’ Newark Liberty International Airport with the following schedule:
- Gothenburg-Newark
- Departure time: 18:30
- Arrival time: 21:05
- Flight time: 8 hours and 35 minutes
- Flight number: SK917
- Frequency: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
- Newark-Gothenburg
- Departure time: 23:30
- Arrival time: 13:15 (the next day)
- Flight time: 7 hours and 45 minutes
- Flight number: SK918
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
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These summer-seasonal flights will be operated by SAS’ Airbus A321LR (Long Range) aircraft featuring 22 lie-flat Business Class seats, 12 SAS Plus seats (Premium Economy Class seats) and 123 SAS Go seats (standard Economy Class seats). Every seat is equipped with IFE screens, PC power and/or hi-power USB. The A321LR aircraft is part of SAS’ ongoing fleet renewal and will reduce climate-impacting emissions compared to previous generations of similar aircraft.
These flights will be operated during Summer 2023 season and will be back during Summer 2024 season.
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 travellers.
said Erik Westman, EVP & CCO – Network and Revenue Management, Scandinavian Airlines.
A321LR with the right job
Aalborg-Newark and Gothenburg-Newark are the type of routes that the A321LR aircraft is built for. The aircraft is perfect for routes that have less traffic and where the demand for premium seats is comparatively less. So it’s great to see an airline like SAS open these type of new routes with the right aircraft.
This will be the first time that Aalborg and Gothenburg will have nonstop transatlantic flights. These two airports mostly see European services. Gothenburg used to have a service to Doha by Qatar Airways but that no longer exists.
SAS’ A321LR is premium heavy with 34 premium seats. I am a little skeptical about how much premium demand is present from these cities.
SAS will certainly have done a market research but it will be in interesting to see how these two routes perform.
Featured image by Scandinavian Airlines
What do you think of SAS launching transatlantic service from Aalborg and Gothenburg? Let me know in the comments section below.
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