SAS to launch new JFK to Oslo route, strengthening Copenhagen hub

Change continues at Scandinavian Airlines after the airline officially join SkyTeam alliance.

A day after the Stockholm-based airline announced new nonstop service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), SAS also announced a significant expansion of its Copenhagen hub along with two new routes to North America.

On Wednesday, SAS announced 15 new routes from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), with more than a dozen new flights to European cities such as Krakow, Poland; Madrid; Budapest, Hungary; Valencia, Spain; and Bucharest, Romania. In addition, the airline is increasing its service to other short-haul European cities such as Prague, Berlin, and Helsinki by 15%.

SAS said on Wednesday that this is just part of a plan to boost Copenhagen’s presence as a global hub and gateway for travelers connecting to destinations outside Europe.

But the airline is also ramping up its transatlantic schedule — and not just in Copenhagen.

The airline said Wednesday that it will launch new service in late March from Oslo Airport (OSL) in Norway to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The nonstop service will operate from March 30 to October 25 as part of the airline’s summer 2025 schedule.

SkyTeam’s Hub Shift

It’s the latest move SAS has made to make its network — including in the United States — more friendly to Sky Team connection after the carrier joined the alliance earlier this month following a partial acquisition of Air France-KLM.

You can see the change. The map below from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows SAS’s planned US routes in summer 2025 to hubs with SkyTeam partner Delta Air Lines.

Here’s what a more limited map might look like in the summer of 2024 — a year in which see Delta’s additional carrierHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), into its network.

It will be interesting to see if the airline makes any additional moves from Star Alliance hubs to SkyTeam hubs in the near future.

“With its new SkyTeam membership, SAS is focusing on its global operations and will continue to develop Copenhagen as a key hub for international flights,” SAS said in a statement on Wednesday.

New JFK Service

The new JFK to OSL route will provide the New York airport with a second direct flight to the Norwegian capital. Norse Atlantic Airways currently operates the route.

According to the airline’s booking channel, SAS will operate flights from JFK to Oslo from the end of March using one of its narrow-body Airbus A321neo aircraft.

It is worth noting that SAS now offers non-stop service from JFK to CPH.

Meanwhile, the airline currently serves nearby Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), a Star Alliance hub, with direct flights to OSL, CPH and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).

Copenhagen Growth

In addition to nonstop service to JFK, SAS has also announced a new flight to North America for the summer of 2025. Starting March 30, the airline will fly from CPH to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).

SAS’s expansion of its Copenhagen operations comes as the city — and Denmark more broadly — has seen increased air traffic in recent times.

Services for Denmark are growing

In a recent press conference, Cirium reported that in August, the number of seats on transatlantic flights to Denmark exceeded that of any other country in Europe.

Cirium data shows that seat capacity between the US and Denmark this summer is up about 24% compared to the same period last year — and up 15% from 2019 levels.

Related: Villa Copenhagen Review: Scandinavian Style in a Danish Landmark

Improving intra-European business services

In addition to increasing flights next summer, SAS also is said to be planning to up his game. at the front of the plane.

On short-haul flights to Europe, there will be improved business class service with empty middle seats, along with enhanced service both on the ground and in the air.

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