Scandinavian Airlines celebrates 60 years in the sky

September 17 marked the 60th anniversary for SAS Scandinavian Airlines. The very first SAS flight departed Bromma Airport in Stockholm on September 17, 1946, only six weeks after the official formation of the airline. The flight touched down in New York 27 hours later after three immediate stops. 

Over the six decades that have followed, SAS has maintained its position as one of the world’s leading international airlines, as well as one of the most innovative. SAS has made its mark in aviation history on a number of occasions by opening up new routes and shortcuts, and by introducing new unique products.

For instance, SAS was the first to launch the Polar shortcut in 1954; first to introduce in-flight entertainment in 1968 and an in-flight exercise program in 1977; first to introduce a sleeper seat in 1992; and the first airline to offer wireless internet connection in all classes across its entire intercontinental fleet in 2005.  

SAS arrived in Asia as early as October 26, 1949 by connecting Scandinavia with Bangkok. The service was later extended to Tokyo and a number of other Asian cities. In 1975, SAS became the only airline to serve Tokyo, one of its most popular destinations, by three different directions: twice weekly via Bangkok, twice weekly via the North Pole and once a week via Siberia. By linking the Tokyo via Bangkok and Tokyo via Anchorage routes, SAS established the world’s first commercial around-the-world route.

The DC-7s used on the route proudly had “First over the Pole and Around the World” marked on the aircraft. Over the years, SAS has also shortened the flying time between Scandinavia and Tokyo from 54 hours to 11.5 hours. 

SAS has been present in Australia since August, 1984, when it established an office in Sydney. In its 22 years, Australia has grown to become one of SAS’ most successful off-line markets and partners with Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways to connect with SAS through its four Asian gateways. 

 “SAS is extremely proud to celebrate six such successful decades, especially here in Asia Pacific, where we have operated almost since the formation of the airline,” says Lars Sandahl Sørensen, General Manager, Australia and New Zealand. “In Australia, we have made our mark by offering Australians innovative packages to Europe, either travel in mixed classes or flying alternative routes on outbound and return journeys through our Asian gateways.” 

Today, SAS connects to almost any destination in the world through its own network, that of its subsidiaries or through its Star Alliance™ and other airline partners. SAS was part of forming Star Alliance™ in 1997, which is the world’s largest airline alliance. SAS’ parent company, SAS Group, is now Europe’s third largest airline group and operates the main or second largest airline in eight European countries. 

To celebrate sixty years of operations, SAS has produced an in-depth media kit, outlining the companies’ success over the past six decades and highlighting its presence within the Asian regions. It also includes the speech Per Kampmann, SAS’ first president, addressed guests with at the airline’s inaugural dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, September 19, 1946. 

Next for Asia, SAS is launching direct flights between Stockholm and Beijing, which will commence in April 2007. Flights to the Chinese capital were first established from the SAS hub of Copenhagen in 1988, whilst Shanghai was added to the Asian network in 2004. SAS also flies to Bangkok and Tokyo.   

For more information visit www.flysas.com.au or call 1300 727 707.