Over the weekend SAS officially joined SkyTeam, becoming the latest addition to the global airline alliance. The move is expected to enhance SAS’s connectivity, offering passengers increased access to over 1,000 destinations across SkyTeam’s network. As SAS navigates its financial restructuring, joining SkyTeam could provide crucial support through shared resources, codeshare agreements, and deeper cooperation with member airlines like Air France-KLM and Delta. However, some may question whether this alliance can deliver significant benefits to SAS, considering the competitive pressures within the industry. Will this strategic decision strengthen SAS’s position in the market, or is it a gamble that may not pay off? Let us know what you think!
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-768x378.jpg)
3 Responses
I mean, for me, it just means more liveries for my database :). That aside, I think it’s a good idea that the majority of airlines join an alliance, cause then you can share benefits from one airline with the other, like Qantas and Finnair, which have a codeshare flight that gets travellers from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Bangkok before flying to Helsinki, all without much of a layover, which is a bonus for me.
I still really miss the old times when SAS was in the star alliance, since it was one of the founding members. Now only four original stars remain: Lufthansa, Thai, United, and Air Canada.
Definitely a benefit. The old alliance with Star had left behind SAS as the black sheep of the club with UA-LH-AC forming their own little trio across the pond leaving SK to hold it’s own. In the long run I think Star will regret SAS’s defection and will envy the courting AF-KL and DL will offer SAS. I can see SAS expand their North American network as well as increase their presence in other far eastern markets with KE’s network.