Paris/Stockholm — Air France-KLM and SAS Scandinavian Airlines are expanding their partnership to strengthen transatlantic travel, a move designed to improve connectivity, boost loyalty offerings, and give travelers more choice between Scandinavia and the United States.
The expanded collaboration builds on last year’s agreement and will now see Air France codesharing on SAS’s non-stop flights across the Atlantic. Both carriers say the partnership reflects their shared strategy of offering passengers more seamless travel experiences and strengthening their positions in the competitive U.S.–Europe market.
Expanded Codesharing on Transatlantic Routes
Under the new arrangement, Air France will place its code on a slate of SAS-operated long-haul flights. That includes departures from Copenhagen (CPH) to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (EWR and JFK), San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
From Stockholm (ARN), passengers gain direct access to New York (EWR) and Miami, while flights from Oslo (OSL) will connect to New York (EWR and JFK). The codesharing agreement allows travelers to book flights through Air France that are actually operated by SAS, making connections smoother and expanding available itineraries.
This move is part of a broader effort to integrate operations and networks, enabling both airlines to offer a larger footprint in the lucrative transatlantic corridor.
Building on the 2024 Partnership
The announcement follows a year of closer collaboration. In September 2024, SAS officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance, where Air France-KLM is a founding member. Since then, the carriers have introduced joint initiatives, including reciprocal codeshares across Europe and access to loyalty benefits.
Earlier this year, SAS began placing its code on long-haul flights operated by Air France and KLM from their respective hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol. Travelers now earn miles and experience points (XP) on these codeshare flights, which count toward Flying Blue status. SAS-operated flights are also eligible for Flying Blue reward tickets, subject to availability.
By aligning loyalty programs and expanding route options, the airlines say they are addressing growing demand for flexible, connected, and rewarding travel experiences.
Strategic Importance of the U.S.–Europe Market
The transatlantic market remains one of the most contested and profitable arenas in global aviation. For SAS, deeper integration with Air France-KLM allows it to maintain a strong presence in North America despite recent restructuring and competitive pressures.
For Air France-KLM, the partnership provides a broader reach into Scandinavian markets, where SAS holds a leading position. By offering a greater number of one-stop itineraries and simplified booking options, the two airlines hope to win over both leisure and corporate travelers.
The announcement also underscores the growing role of alliances and partnerships in global aviation. With demand for international travel rebounding, carriers are increasingly turning to codeshare agreements and loyalty program integration as ways to capture market share without the added costs of new fleet expansion.
About the Carriers
Air France-KLM is among the largest airline groups in the world, with a combined network of over 320 destinations. Its main hubs include Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, and Amsterdam-Schiphol, and it operates through Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Transavia.
SAS, founded in 1946, is the leading airline in Scandinavia, operating hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. Each year, the carrier serves more than 25 million passengers and transports 60,000 tons of cargo to 135 destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Looking Ahead
By expanding their codesharing partnership, Air France-KLM and SAS are signaling confidence in transatlantic demand and positioning themselves to capture growth in a competitive landscape. For passengers, the benefits are clear: more nonstop routes from Scandinavia, seamless connections through major European hubs, and enhanced opportunities to earn and redeem loyalty rewards.
As airlines across Europe and North America look for ways to strengthen their networks without adding significant new capacity, partnerships like this one between Air France-KLM and SAS are expected to play a central role in shaping the next phase of transatlantic travel.
