After joining the SkyTeam alliance earlier this month, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has further solidified its presence in the alliance by signing a codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines. Today, we will explore what this new partnership entails and the benefits it will bring.

Massive Sidestep

Scandinavian Airlines is best known as being one of the five founding members of Star Alliance. The five "points" in the star logo represent each of the five founders. With the Star Alliance membership eventually came a longstanding codeshare agreement and partnership with United Airlines.

Because of this, most of SAS' American destinations were to United Airlines hubs. However, because of the shift to SkyTeam, SAS has aligned itself with competitor Delta Air Lines.

The carrier's American route network is experiencing some changes to reflect this change. While no cuts have been announced to current United strongholds like Washington Dulles (IAD) or San Francisco (SFO), SAS is adding flights to Delta hubs.

In June 2024, SAS launched flights between its Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) hub and Atlanta (ATL), the world's busiest airport and home of Delta Air Lines.

Just a few days ago, SAS announced it would be resuming flights to Seattle (SEA) in the Spring of 2025 with a new service from Copenhagen. Seattle has become an increasingly larger Delta hub and is now the primary transpacific gateway for the carrier. This will mark SAS' first time back in Seattle after some decades.

New Codeshare Agreement

What is a "codeshare"? This is an arrangement where two partner airlines can market each other's flights. For example, if SAS is now codesharing with Delta, the carrier can sell itineraries that feature both SAS and Delta flights.

Let's take Copenhagen to Tampa as an example itinerary. You can book this on the SAS website and the most likely result will be the following:

• Copenhagen to Atlanta on SAS
• Connect in Atlanta (ATL)
• Atlanta to Tampa on Delta
• Opposite routing on the way back

The vice versa is true with Delta Air Lines and its website. Just like how KLM, Air France, Aeromexico, and most other SkyTeam member flights can be seen on Delta's website, so too will SAS.

The codeshare agreement between Delta and SAS will take effect from September 25th, 2024. As Delta states in its official press release, the agreement will improve connection opportunities for customers flying between North America and Scandinavia. 

Furthermore, the agreement will offer reciprocal codeshare and frequent flyer benefits. passengers will be able to redeem both SkyMiles (Delta) or SAS EuroBonus points across both carriers.

According to Delta, its customers flying from North America will gain access to 50 more destinations in Northern Europe from SAS hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo (OSL), and Stockholm (ARN). This will be made easier considering Delta already flies to both Copenhagen and Stockholm from New York (JFK).

SAS customers will be able to access over 150 destinations in North America through Delta hubs in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle, all of which are served by SAS.

Paul Verhagen, SAS' Chief Commercial Officer, commented that:

"We [SAS] are thrilled to expand our partnership with Delta through this new codeshare agreement, enhancing travel options between Scandinavia and North America. With our new direct route from Copenhagen to Seattle, we're strengthening connections to the Pacific Northwest, offering more travel options for our passengers."

"As a proud new member of SkyTeam Alliance, this collaboration offers great opportunities to provide seamless connectivity and benefits across our global network. We are excited about the possibilities and committed to delivering an elevated travel experience for our customers."