SAS Marks 60 Years of Aviation Service

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is marking its 60th anniversary as an airline on Sunday, September 17. The company's journey began 60 years ago with its first scheduled transatlantic flight from Stockholm-Bromma to New York. Since its inception, SAS has achieved numerous significant milestones in aviation history.

SAS was formed in 1946 through the merger of three Nordic airlines. The airline has been a pioneer on several occasions. In 1954, SAS became the first airline globally to offer scheduled flights over the polar region, launching the Copenhagen-Los Angeles route. Three years later, in 1957, SAS established the first flight route across the North Pole to Japan, drastically reducing travel time from 52 to 32 hours.

Further innovations include being the first airline to deploy the French-built Caravelle jet aircraft in scheduled operations in 1959. In 1965, SAS introduced Europe's first electronic booking system for all its services. The airline also pioneered changes in onboard policies, being an early adopter of allowing smoking, but later becoming the first to implement a smoking ban in 1986.

SAS has consistently focused on enhancing the passenger experience, introducing features like onboard writing desks and becoming the first airline worldwide to offer wireless internet connections on all its intercontinental flights. The 60th anniversary will be celebrated with various events at airports across the SAS system and onboard aircraft.

On September 17, celebrations are planned at airports such as Arlanda and Copenhagen, particularly for departures to New York. The two pilots from the inaugural flight are scheduled to attend the festivities in Stockholm. Additionally, SAS has unveiled a newly delivered Airbus A319 aircraft painted in the livery used by the airline in the 1950s and 1960s.