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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
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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.

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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

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.