Norwegian-Swedish-Danish SAS Scandinavian Airlines is leaving the Star Alliance and joining SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, from 1 September 2024.
SAS will join 18 other members of the alliance, expanding mileage earning opportunities and benefits for current Elite and Elite Plus status holders, as well as significantly expanding SkyTeam's destination portfolio in Northern Europe.
Why is SAS joining SkyTeam?
SAS Scandinavian Airlines was one of the founding airlines of the Star Alliance and holds a prominent position in the alliance.
However, following financial difficulties, Air France-KLM, a cornerstone of SkyTeam, acquired a significant stake in SAS.
Therefore, with the significant intertwining of these airlines, membership of the competing Star Alliance no longer makes sense and SAS will join SkyTeam.
SkyTeam will strengthen in Northern Europe
SAS is a large airline with bases at Copenhagen, Stockholm-Arlanda and Oslo airports and a very dense route network across Scandinavia.
The other SkyTeam airlines have so far only served the most important Scandinavian cities and therefore the alliance's presence in Denmark, Norway and Sweden in particular will expand significantly.
As of September 2024, the following airports are new destinations in the SkyTeam network thanks to SAS:
- Denmark - Aarhus, Bornholm
- Estonia - Tallinn
- Faroe Islands - Vágar
- Finland - Turku
- Lithuania - Palanga/Klaipeda, Vilnius
- Morocco - Agadir (seasonal flights)
- Norway - Alta, Bardufoss, Bodø, Haugesund, Kirkenes, Kristiansund, Lakselv, Longyearbyen, Molde, Sandefjord Torp
- Sweden - Ängelholm, Kalmar, Kiruna, Luleå, Malmö, Åre Östersund, Ronneby, Sälen, Skellefteå, Sundsvall, Umeå, Visby
- Turkey - Alanya (seasonal flights), Antalya (seasonal flights)
EuroBonus loyalty programme continues
Despite the significant new relationship between SAS and AirFrance-KLM, SAS will not join the FlyingBlue frequent flyer programme but will retain its EuroBonus.
Existing EuroBonus members will not lose any benefits and will retain all earned miles and status.
EuroBonus members will no longer be able to redeem benefits and earn miles on Star Alliance airlines, but will instead be able to redeem benefits on SkyTeam airlines.
How many miles do I get?
Already a member of a SkyTeam frequent flyer programme? Then you will also earn miles when travelling with SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
Below is an overview of the SAS fare classes and how many miles you will receive for each class of flight in each frequent flyer programme.
| Frequent flyer programme | Fare class | Basic Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Aerolíneas Argentinas (Aerolíneas Plus) |
-- | -- |
| Aeroméxico (AeroMexico Rewards) |
-- | -- |
| Air Europa (Sum) |
-- | -- |
| Air France - KLM - Tarom (FlyingBlue) |
-- | -- |
| China Airlines (Dynasty Flyer) |
-- | -- |
| China Eastern Airlines (Eastern Miles) |
-- | -- |
| Delta (SkyMiles) |
-- | -- |
| Garuda (Garuda Miles) |
-- | -- |
| ITA Airways (Volare) |
-- | -- |
| Kenya Airways (Asante Rewards) |
-- | -- |
| Korean Air (SKYPASS) |
-- | -- |
| MEA (Cedar Miles) |
-- | -- |
| Saudia (Al Fursan Loyalty) |
-- | -- |
| Vietnam Airlines (Lotusmiles) |
-- | -- |
| Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) |
-- | -- |
| Xiamen Air (Egret Air) |
-- | -- |
We will update the list gradually as the process of implementing the use of miles by partner airlines may take several months.
