SAS outlines historical milestones from founding to present

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has published a summary of its extensive history, highlighting significant developments since the early days of aviation in the region.

The airline's origins trace back to the establishment of its Danish parent company, Det Danske Luftfartselskab (DDL), in 1918. This was followed by the founding of Sweden's AB Aerotransport (ABA) in 1924 and Norway's Det Norske Luftfartselskap (DNL) in 1927, laying the groundwork for the eventual formation of SAS.

SAS was formally established in 1946, launching its first intercontinental flight from Stockholm to New York. The airline has since pioneered routes, including the first polar route to Los Angeles in 1954 and "round the world" services over the North Pole starting in 1957. The company entered the jet age in 1959 with the introduction of the Caravelle.

Expansion beyond air travel occurred in the 1960s with the opening of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and the implementation of an early electronic reservation system in 1965. The fleet grew with the addition of the Boeing 747 in 1971. Over the years, SAS has diversified through ventures like founding Spanair and acquiring stakes in other airlines, but has also undergone restructuring to refocus on core airline operations.

Recent decades have seen SAS implement significant financial and strategic initiatives, such as the Core SAS program and the 4Excellence strategy. The company is also investing in fleet modernization with Airbus A320neo aircraft and is pursuing sustainable aviation fuel, with a stated ambition to use only bio-jet fuel on domestic routes by 2030.