On June 2nd at 12:00 CET, SAS started accepting reservations for its three inaugural commercial electric flights in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The ticket price, roughly 167 euros, is set at SE/NO/DK 1946 crowns, a tribute to the year when SAS first started flying. A date that also marks the beginning of SAS’ innovative nature, with then-founder Wallenberg stating that “moving from the old to the new is the only tradition worth preserving”. Passengers were allowed book up to two seats per reservation and person. Within hours, all available seats were booked.
The historic inaugural service will have 30 seats available on each of the three flights, which are scheduled to take off sometime in 2028. According to the airline, travelers will receive an email with information on the precise departure day and location. SAS describes itself as a pioneer in the aviation industry, highlighting that it was the first commercial airline to fly over the North Pole to significantly shorten the flight time between continents.
This is a significant step on our journey toward more sustainable aviation.
Anko van der Werff, SAS CEO
SAS has indicated that its goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and that, to this end, a key component is the development and use of technological innovations such as electric aircraft on shorter journeys. According to the airline, numerous actions are being taken to reduce CO2 emissions and climate impact. The airline affirms it has been supporting innovation and partnerships to find new solutions, investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft and increasing the production and use of more sustainable aviation fuels.
“Since its inception in 1946, SAS has been one of the pioneers in the airline industry, being the first commercial airline operator to fly over the North Pole to significantly shorten flight time between continents,” said Anko van der Werff, President and CEO of SAS. “A groundbreaking activity for which SAS received the Columbus Prize. The fact that we can now invite our passengers to the next major milestone in the future of aviation is a natural continuation of that pioneering spirit and a significant step on our journey towards more sustainable aviation.”
Among other significant achievements in sustainability, SAS highlights the partnership with Airbus in 2019 to facilitate the large-scale use of low- and zero-emission commercial aircraft, and cooperation with Heart Aerospace to drive the development of electric aircraft.
The airline has ambitious sustainability goals: by 2030, it expects a 50% reduction in noise compared to 2010 and for sustainable aviation fuel to equal SAS’ domestic production. By 2050, it aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions, in line with IATA’s updated ambition. One goal is to reduce the company’s total CO₂ emissions by 25 percent by 2025 and for all domestic SAS flights to be fossil free by 2030.
The company asserts it has been playing a significant role in the transition of the aviation industry. This includes supporting innovation and partnerships to find new solutions, making major investments in new, more fuel-efficient aircraft, increasing production and use of sustainable aviation fuels and many other enhancements to the airline’s inflight offerings and service.
