SAS Announces Return to Dubai and New Routes to Phuket and Krabi from Copenhagen
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has announced a significant expansion of its long-haul network for the Winter 2026/27 season. The airline is adding three new intercontinental routes from its primary hub in Copenhagen: Dubai, Phuket, and Krabi. This move responds to sustained growth in demand for travel to the Middle East and Asia while consolidating the Danish airport’s role as the global gateway for Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Return to Dubai: Ending a 15-Year Absence
One of the most notable announcements is SAS’s return to Dubai, a market it has not served since 2011.
- Schedule: The new Copenhagen–Dubai route will launch on October 25, 2026, and run through March 27, 2027.
- Frequency: The service will operate daily.
- Strategic Value: Dubai is recognized as a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation. For SAS, re-establishing a presence in the UAE recovers direct access to a high-value market for both corporate and leisure travelers.
- Operations: Interestingly, the route will be operated by the Airbus A320neo. Using a single-aisle aircraft for a segment typically reserved for wide-body planes highlights a unique operational approach.
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Focus on Thailand: Record Growth and Historic Firsts
Southeast Asia serves as another pillar of this expansion, with SAS increasing its capacity to Thailand by more than 75% compared to the previous winter.
Phuket and Krabi: First-Ever Scheduled Operations
For the first time in its history, SAS will operate direct, scheduled services from Copenhagen to Phuket and Krabi. This makes SAS the only airline offering non-stop flights from Copenhagen to these destinations, providing a clear competitive advantage.
Route Season Frequency Aircraft
- Copenhagen – Phuket
Dec 9, 2026 – March 29, 2027
2 to 3 flights per week
Airbus A350
- Copenhagen – Krabi
Dec 8, 2026 – March 28, 2027
2 flights per week
Airbus A350
The schedule is designed to optimize European connections, maximizing transit passenger flow and reinforcing Copenhagen’s status as an intercontinental hub.
Fleet Expansion and Global Capacity Increases
This growth is supported by the addition of two new Airbus A350s, leading to a 34% increase in operations for this specific model within the SAS network. This wide-body fleet expansion is the structural foundation enabling increased supply in key markets.
Notable Capacity Increases:
- North America: Boston (+70%), San Francisco (+20%), and Chicago (+10%).
- Asia: Seoul (+50%), Tokyo Haneda (+40%), and Bangkok (+15%).
Punctuality as a Strategic Asset
SAS emphasizes that this expansion is backed by tangible improvements in operational performance. Over the past year, the company has been recognized several times as the most punctual airline in the world.
According to Erik Westman, Chief Revenue Officer at SAS, the growth in capacity and fleet reflects “the strong momentum of our transformation and our ambition for sustainable growth”.
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