Scandinavian Airline Systems (SAS) announced Monday that they have received the first of eight Airbus A350s and revealed special features. The airline will also open direct service to Tokyo Haneda International Airport from Copenhagen.
Today, SAS welcomed the 'Ingegerd Viking,' the first of eight Airbus A350s to their fleet and revealed unique features of the state-of-the art aircraft. The aircraft will serve SAS’ new direct route from Copenhagen Kastrup to Japan’s Tokyo Haneda International Airport. The new A350 will begin revenue passenger service on January 28th, 2020 allowing SAS customers to experience one of the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft. In Monday’s announcement, SAS’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Rickard Gustafson said,
“The A350 is a milestone in the extensive renewal of the SAS fleet which will consist of the market’s most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft. With this aircraft we reduce the fuel consumption compared with the aircraft it replaces, which means reduced carbon emissions by up to 30 percent. Also, the external noise footprint will be reduced by 40 percent. Along with the new livery, the A350 is a symbol of a more sustainable and competitive future for SAS. The aircraft is one of our biggest investments, enabling us to provide an outstanding travel experience. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board this state-of-the-art aircraft.”
The designers and engineers of SAS have also designed the interior of the new A350 to maximize passenger comfort while reducing weight and therefore emissions. Accommodating 300 travelers, SAS’ new A350s will provide the quietest widebody experience with an optimized cabin altitude and advanced temperature and humidity controls. The first A350 will be based at the SAS hub at Copenhagen and will serve seven routes during its inaugural year including Chicago, Beijing, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong and San Francisco. As part of the airline’s fleet modernization program, by the end of 2023 they will take delivery of 80 A320neos, five A330s, eight A350s, and three A321LRs.
The new SAS A350 features vertical sidewalls offering passengers more shoulder room along with the highest ceiling and largest overhead bins on the market. Passengers can also enjoy the view from the aircraft’s tail camera on the inflight entertainment (IFE) system at every seat. The aircraft is configured with 40 SAS Business, 32 SAS Plus and 228 SAS Go seats. SAS Business Class passengers will enjoy an 18.5” high-resolution IFE screen, power and USB ports, a newly articulated seat with a separate backrest recline control and a new bi-fold tray design including a personal device holder.
SAS Plus, a new product for the carrier, offers seats with a leg rest and foot support feature, 13.5” high-resolution IFE screens and power and USB ports at every seat. Additionally, there is a new snack shop to encourage SAS Plus and Go passengers to stretch their legs onboard. SAS Go features a high-resolution 11.6” IFE screen, poser and USB ports and a cross aisle midway through the cabin for facilitated movement. Cabin Crew and pilots will also enjoy enhanced crew rest areas, larger galley work surfaces and iPads to personalize service and report faults to maintenance.
New Tokyo-Haneda Service
Scandinavian Airline Systems (SAS) also announced on Monday that they are opening direct service from Copenhagen Kastrup to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Along with their Star Alliance Partner ANA, travelers will enjoy connectivity to 30 Japanese destinations. The Tokyo-Haneda route will be served by SAS’ brand new state-of-the art Airbus A350. In a separate announcement Monday, SAS’ President & CEO, Rickard Gustafson said,
“Japan is already a very popular destination, and this will provide a positive boost for our travelers, both in relation to business travel and tourism. The new service offers an attractive timetable to Haneda and we hope it will be well received and appreciated by our travelers throughout Scandinavia and Japan. SAS look forward to the opportunity to serve Haneda from summer season 2020 in time for the Olympic and Paralympic games. With this initiative, SAS aims to support Olympic athletes in the national teams of Denmark, Norway, Sweden in their quest for Olympic success.”
In connection with today’s announcement of new Copenhagen-Tokyo (Haneda) service, SAS will be discontinuing service between Copenhagen and Tokyo-Haneda. This spring, Star Alliance partner ANA will add more connectivity between Scandinavia and Japan with service between Tokyo-Haneda and Stockholm, Sweden.
Source: SAS