Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has officially announced that it will become a full-fledged member of the SkyTeam alliance on September 1st. This move has been long anticipated, as SAS had previously announced its departure from the Star Alliance, but the exact date of joining SkyTeam was uncertain until now.
With this transition, SAS’ EuroBonus program members can look forward to enjoying alliance perks such as reciprocal mileage earning and elite benefits starting on September 1st. EuroBonus Silver members will be recognized as SkyTeam Elite level, while Gold and Diamond members will be recognized as Elite Plus, granting them access to a network of over 750 airport lounges and SkyPriority services at key airport touchpoints.
This strategic move by SAS comes as the airline prepares to exit bankruptcy, with Air France-KLM taking a stake in the company as part of the restructuring process. The decision to switch alliances was influenced by the new ties with Air France-KLM, as SkyTeam counts Air France as one of its founding members.
Upon joining SkyTeam, SAS will become the 20th member of the alliance, which includes major carriers such as Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, and China Airlines. Delta Air Lines is currently the only U.S. carrier in SkyTeam.
This alliance shift marks a significant change in the global aviation landscape and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on SAS and its passengers. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the airline industry.