SAS is expanding its network in North America and with direct routes to Copenhagen and Stockholm from Toronto. SAS will operate three weekly flights to Copenhagen and four weekly flights to Stockholm with its brand-new A321LR aircraft. The inaugural flight took place yesterday (June 2) from Toronto to Stockholm. The first flight to Copenhagen will take place today, June 3.
This marks the first flights between Toronto and Stockholm for SAS in 30 years.
Scandinavia offers a bounty of awe-inspiring experiences for every traveller. Known as the happiest city in the world, Copenhagen, Denmark is known for its stunning canals, world-acclaimed restaurants and bars, Tivoli Gardens, and as the home of author Hans Christian Andersen. Stockholm, Sweden, is comprised of 14 islands that are connected by 57 bridges and is home to the world’s first national city park, the Abba Museum, equally incredible dining and imbibing experiences, along with enchanting wildlife throughout the city’s archipelago.
Stockholm. PHOTO BY RAPHAEL ANDRES FROM UNSPLASH
“Lonely Planet called Stockholm ‘perhaps the most beautiful capital city in the world,’ and they know a thing or two about travel,” Anko van der Werff, President & CEO, SAS, told me in a one-on-one chat this morning. “The islands are just incredible. There are 24,000 of them, stretching out for tens of miles. Some have hotels and restaurants. The Vasa museum has a 350-year-old ship that sank off the coast and was perfectly preserved.” There’s also Gamla Stan, the old city.
Unlike many European capitals, Stockholm didn’t suffer damage during World War II and is therefore completely intact.
“We are delighted to connect Canada and Scandinavia and fly to Toronto with our latest generation aircraft, which is ideal for this route. Using the A321LR means we can connect even more parts of the world and it is well suited for the Scandinavian market and the emerging travel patterns to and from the region,” said van der Werff.
It would’ve been difficult to fill seats year-round on a wide-body plane, but the Airbus narrow-body A321LR makes it workable, he said. The Toronto routes will be operated with a three-class configuration with 157 seats; 22 seats in SAS Business, 12 seats in SAS Plus (premium economy), and 123 seats in SAS Go (economy).
The A321LR also uses 45% less fuel than its larger, wide-body counterpart, which saves roughly $50,000 per flight.
Anko van der Werff, SAS. Photo courtesy SAS.
“SAS aims to be a global leader in sustainable aviation. As we continue to phase in new, fuel-efficient aircraft such as the A321LR, we now have one of Europe’s most modern fleets. This state-of-the-art aircraft will give our customers an even more pleasant, comfortable, and sustainable way of traveling,” van der Werff continued.
SAS has pledged that emissions will be down 25% from 2005 levels by the year 2025, and that’s being externally audited. He also said the airline is working with Sweden’s largest energy company on creating synthetic fuels, such as converting alcohol to jet fuel.
SAS also is working on electric planes, and hopes to make its domestic network carbon neutral by 2030, van der Werff said.
In the coming summer season, SAS will fly from a total of seven destinations in the US and Canada: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Toronto.
Schedules to and from Toronto:
- Toronto-Copenhagen: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Copenhagen-Toronto: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Toronto-Stockholm: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- Stockholm-Toronto: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
Facts about Airbus 321LR
The Airbus 321LR aircraft has 22 Business, 12 Plus and 123 Go, meaning a total of 157 seats in a single aisle aircraft. The seats are especially chosen for the A321LR to optimize the comfort in all three travel classes. Seats in SAS Business offer fully-flat seat beds and there are different mood lighting scenarios in each cabins, as well as hi-speed Wi-Fi. Every seat is equipped with IFE screens, PC-power and/or hi-power USB. The reduced noise level inside the cabin will further enhance the travel experience onboard.
The A321LR is part of SAS’ ongoing fleet renewal and will reduce climate-impacting emissions in comparison to previous generations of similar aircraft.
