Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has announced a significant expansion of its long-haul network for the 2026/27 winter season. The airline is adding three new intercontinental routes from its main hub in Copenhagen: Dubai, Phuket and Krabi. This measure responds to the sustained growth in demand for travel to the Middle East and Asia, while consolidating the Danish airport’s role as a global gateway to Scandinavia and northern Europe.
Return to Dubai: ending a 15-year absence
One of the most notable announcements is the return of SAS to Dubai, a market it has not served since 2011.
- Schedule: The new Copenhagen-Dubai route will be launched on October 25, 2026 and will be extended until 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 its presence in the UAE regains direct access to a high-value market for both corporate and leisure travellers.
- Operations: Interestingly, the route will be operated by the Airbus A320neo. The use of a single-aisle aircraft for a segment normally reserved for wide-body aircraft 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 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 that offers direct flights from Copenhagen to these destinations, which represents a clear competitive advantage.
Route Season Frequency Aircraft
- Copenhagen – Phuket
December 9, 2026 – March 29, 2027
2 to 3 flights per week
Airbus A350
- Copenhagen – Krabi
December 8, 2026 – March 28, 2027
2 flights per week
Airbus A350
The schedule is designed to optimize European connections, maximize transit passenger flow and reinforce Copenhagen’s status as an intercontinental hub.
Fleet expansion and increase in global capacity
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 expansion of the widebody fleet is the structural basis that allows greater 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 supported by tangible improvements in operational performance. Over the past year, the company has been recognized several times as the world’s most punctual airline.
According to Erik Westman, chief revenue officer at SAS, the capacity and fleet growth reflects “the strong momentum of our transformation and our ambition for sustainable growth.”
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