SAS to launch Atlanta-to-Copenhagen service this summer
Scandinavian Airlines is venturing into a new major U.S. market in a move that underscores major changes underway at the airline.
Starting this summer, SAS will begin flights between its Copenhagen Airport (CPH) hub in Denmark and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
The new 2024 route will kick off with daily flights between the two cities throughout the summer months.
Once it begins its Atlanta service, SAS will fly to a total of nine North American airports, including eight in the U.S.
It's also a move that, in many ways, signals the start of a new chapter for the carrier. With SAS embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings, Air France and KLM acquired a stake in the carrier last year. As it links up with its new minority owners, SAS plans to shift from the Star Alliance (which it once co-founded) to the SkyTeam alliance.
The alliance shift figures to see SAS deepen its partnerships not just with Air France and KLM but also with other SkyTeam carriers like Delta Air Lines.
In fact, in announcing the new route to Delta's home base in Atlanta, SAS leadership noted an interline agreement that will allow SAS flyers to book itineraries with seamless connections to Delta flights.
New SAS route to Atlanta
The route between Copenhagen and Atlanta, home of the world's busiest airport, will include daily nonstop flights between the two cities beginning June 17.
Over the summer, SAS will operate daily frequencies between the two cities aboard an Airbus A330 aircraft, which seats a total of 266 passengers.
During the winter months, SAS will operate five weekly round trips on the route, including flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays aboard an Airbus A350, which seats 300 passengers.
Eastbound flights from Atlanta to Copenhagen will take off at (or just after) 7 p.m. EST and land around 10:20 a.m. local time the next day. Westbound flights will depart Copenhagen just after 1 p.m. and land around 5 p.m., all times local.
Changes on other routes
In addition to adding an Atlanta pin to its route map, SAS is increasing frequencies to a few other cities.
It will begin flying up to two daily round trips between CPH and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). SAS already flies to the New York area, with service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), Oslo Airport (OSL) in Norway and CPH.
SAS also plans to shift from six weekly frequencies to daily service between CPH and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) during the summer months.
In total, SAS currently serves eight U.S. airports and one in Canada. Here's what the airline's current U.S. route map looks like as of this month, according to scheduling data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
SAS will continue to serve eight U.S. airports after adding ATL since the carrier plans to end its service to Miami International Airport (MIA) in early April.
Dipping its toes into SkyTeam territory
At present, the SAS U.S. route map (with some exceptions) skews heavily toward major hubs for its current Star Alliance partner, United Airlines.
However, the addition of the Atlanta service is a notable foray into Delta's top hub city.
An interline agreement with Delta will allow passengers to book itineraries that include seamless connections between the two carriers — though it's not a full-scale codeshare agreement like Delta has with its existing SkyTeam partners.
"Passengers can continue their journey on other Delta-served destinations out of Atlanta," SAS president and CEO Anko van der Werff explained in a statement. "This development means an expanded offering for SAS passengers, who can look forward to reaching several new and exciting destinations across the Southern USA, Caribbean and Latin America."
As for the timing of the airline's move to SkyTeam, an SAS spokesperson tells TPG that details are still "under discussions" with both the Star Alliance and SkyTeam.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- Best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees