Skip to content

Goodbye, red engines: SAS is repainting its planes in new colors

Sept. 19, 2019
2 min read
SAS new colors rendering
Goodbye, red engines: SAS is repainting its planes in new colors
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Scandinavian Airlines' signature red engines will soon be a thing of the past. The airline unveiled on Thursday its first update to its livery in 21 years on Thursday.

The airline describes its updated colors as a modern take on a classic Scandinavian design. After a cabin interior overhaul in 2015, the airline says that the updated livery aligns the interior and exterior of its aircraft. The first aircraft to feature the new livery will be the most modern of the airline's fleet, the Airbus A350s and A320neos.

"The new livery design is a symbol of our future, a more sustainable and competitive future for SAS, but one that also embraces our heritage," SAS CEO and President Rickard Gustafson said in a statement.

The biggest change to the livery is silver replacing the airline's most distinguishable feature, those red engines. Continuing with the silver theme, there is a striking SAS in giant letters situated at the front of the aircraft. (That's the acronym of Scandinavian Airlines System; SAS was created as the multinational flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.)

The airline's new livery will also feature "Scandinavian" on the underbelly of the fuselage, a feature that Emirates, Alitalia, Delta and others have introduced as well.

The move follows recent changes to their liveries by the carrier's Star Alliance partners United Airlines and Lufthansa, both of which also went for simpler, modern and predominantly blue and white/silver liveries.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Existing aircraft in the fleet will get the new livery in accordance with the airline's already-scheduled repaint process. All SAS aircraft will feature the new livery by 2024.

SAS has a robust network in the US, with flights to its three constituent countries from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (Newark), San Francisco and Washington. The first of eight Airbus A350-900 on order, featuring the new livery, will enter service on the Copenhagen to Chicago from January 28, 2020, SAS said in a statement. You might spot an older A330 and A340 from the airline's all-Airbus long-haul fleet repainted in the new colors before then, so keep your eyes open at airports served by SAS!

All digital renderings courtesy of SAS

Featured image by Getty Images

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
5X milesEarn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X milesEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Enjoy a $250 travel credit & earn 75K bonus miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

Pros

  • Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
  • You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
  • Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners

Cons

  • Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app