Scandinavian airline SAS marked the 80th anniversary of its first flight with special flights from Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo to New York. The US city was the destination of SAS’ inaugural flight on September 17, 1946, marking the beginning of its mission to connect Scandinavia with the world.

The first flight was operated by a Douglas DC-4 named Dan Viking, which departed Stockholm’s Bromma Airport for New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Carrying 28 passengers, the journey lasted 25 hours, with scheduled stops in Copenhagen, Prestwick and Gander. Eight decades later, SAS connects all three Scandinavian capitals with New York on nonstop flights that, according to the airline, take just under eight hours.

SAS President and CEO Anko van der Werff said the anniversary reflected the airline’s origins in cross-border Scandinavian cooperation, aimed at bringing the region closer to the world. He added that this idea continues to guide SAS’ role in connecting people, businesses and ideas.

Over eight decades, SAS has contributed to significant developments in international aviation. In the 1950s, its introduction of polar routes shortened journeys between continents, while the arrival of jet aircraft brought greater speed and comfort. The Boeing 747 joined the fleet in subsequent decades as the airline developed its offering for business travellers. In the 1990s, SAS launched its EuroBonus loyalty programme and became a founding member of Star Alliance.

The anniversary also comes amid plans to renew the fleet. SAS says that over the past year it has announced investment plans covering up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft and 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional aircraft. Together with the ongoing renewal of its Airbus A320neo fleet, the airline describes these investments as its most extensive fleet modernisation in decades.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, SAS also announced a reception in New York for September 18, organised in cooperation with Scandinavian diplomatic representations in the city and Washington, D.C. The event was intended to bring together representatives from government, diplomacy, business, culture and aviation to celebrate the airline’s history and look ahead to the future of connectivity between Scandinavia and North America.