SAS joins Air France-KLM’s Skyteam alliance
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is now entering a new reality by stepping out of bankruptcy protection into a partnership with the Skyteam alliance, leaving behind its former associates including Lufthansa and United Airlines. SAS customers will now have access to the networks of 19 airlines such as Air France-KLM, Delta, and Virgin. According to Sydbank aviation analyst Jacob Pedersen, frequent SAS travelers will most notably see different airline names on the tails of planes for connecting flights. The two alliances both cover over 1000 global destinations, so the overall network impact may be minimal. However, certain destinations may be affected, while new routes could open up. With the switch, SAS grows closer to Air France-KLM, a recent co-owner post-reconstruction. Pedersen suggests that joining a new alliance offers potential for renewed strategies and opportunities in managing passenger flows to and from Scandinavia.