SAS marks 80 years with flights to New York
Airline SAS commemorates its 80th anniversary with special flights to New York, the destination of its very first journey in 1946.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is celebrating 80 years of operation with commemorative flights from Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo to New York, retracing the route of its inaugural journey.
The airline's first flight departed Stockholm for New York on September 17, 1946. The journey, completed by a DC-4 aircraft named "Dan Viking," took 25 hours with multiple stops. Today, the same transatlantic route is covered in under eight hours via direct flights.
Over its eight decades, SAS has been a pioneer in international aviation. In the 1950s, the airline introduced the polar route, significantly reducing travel times between continents. SAS has also become recognized for its Scandinavian design, service, and hospitality, contributing to the evolution of modern air travel.
Concurrent with its anniversary celebrations, SAS is investing in its future fleet. Recent announcements include orders for up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft and 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional jets. These investments represent a significant fleet modernization and aim to reinforce SAS's position as Scandinavia's gateway to the world.
A commemorative reception is scheduled in New York on September 18, 2026, bringing together representatives from government, diplomacy, business, and culture to honor the airline's legacy and future outlook.