SAS is the first European airline to fly the new long-haul Airbus A330-300 Enhanced. The first commercial flight leaves today from Copenhagen to Chicago. SAS continues to strengthen its intercontinental offering with new aircraft and the launch of new routes to destinations with high demand.
SAS’s thirteenth and newest long-haul aircraft, Tore Viking, is flying from Copenhagen to Chicago on Monday, September 21, with a departure time of 3.40pm. This is the first of four new A330-300 Enhanced that will be added to the SAS fleet over the next six months. Another aircraft will be delivered in September and the remaining two in 2016. From 2018, deliveries will also commence of SAS’s new Airbus A350-900. The new aircraft enable SAS to improve its offering to customers and to fly longer distances with lower fuel consumption.
“We are pleased to welcome our passengers on board our new A330-300 Enhanced. We are making significant investments in our fleet and at the same time launching new routes, giving us the strongest range of services to United States and Asia from Scandinavia. We are also lowering our fuel consumption as the new aircraft are delivered, which will help to reduce our fuel emissions,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS.
The materials and color scheme in the cabin of the new aircraft have been carefully chosen to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. All through the cabin, mood lighting provides a pleasant environment throughout the journey. The seats in SAS Go and SAS Plus are designed to provide good storage and create extra space. SAS Business has direct access to the aisle and seats that can be fully reclined into a bed position. The beds feature linen from Hästens, ensuring passengers sleep well. There is also a new in-flight entertainment system throughout the cabin, offering HD screens and wireless Internet access. SAS is also updating its existing long-haul aircraft with the same new cabin interior in 2015 and 2016.
“We have received very good feedback on the new cabin from our passengers, who have praised the new seats and in-flight entertainment system. Frequent travellers in Scandinavia have high expectations when they travel, which is why we are constantly developing our offering to best meet their needs,” says Rickard Gustafson.
The first new A330-300 Enhanced will the first month operate the route between Copenhagen and Chicago and will then fly from Stockholm to Hong Kong and Chicago.
On September 10, SAS launched a new route between Stockholm and Hong Kong, and in March 2016 SAS will be launching a new route between Stockholm and Los Angeles. In the fall of 2016, the new route to Miami from Oslo and Copenhagen will begin operating.
Facts about the Airbus A330-300 Enhanced
- Delivery of four A330-300 Enhanced in 2015/2016; two aircraft in September 2015, one in February 2016, and one in May 2016
- Significantly improved range compared with the A330 (10,400 km compared with 9,600 km)
- Maximum weight 242 tonnes
- 262 seats: 32 SAS Business, 56 SAS Plus and 174 SAS Go
- 2% lower fuel consumption than the A330
September 21, 2015 09:00 / SAS News / English
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SAS receives new A330-300 version with longer range
First airline in Europe to receive the A330-300 242-tonne version
Launched in 2012 as Airbus’ latest evolution to the twin-engine widebody A330 Family, the increased take-off weight A330-200 and A330-300 incorporate a new aerodynamic package, engine improvements and an optional centre fuel tank (the latter for the A330-300 version). These upgrades allow for an extended range of up to 6,100 nautical miles while offering up to 2 percent less fuel burn.
“At SAS our vision is to make life easier for Scandinavia’s frequent travelers and we are now delighted to welcome our passengers on board the new A330 Enhanced,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS. “We are making substantial investments in our fleet and network which means that we by far have the strongest intercontinental offer to and from Scandinavia. In parallel we are able to significantly bring down fuel consumption with new aircraft coming in which will lower our costs and support our goals to reduce emissions.“
“As first European operator of the 242-tonne A330-300, we look forward to seeing SAS enjoy the additional benefits delivered by this innovative aircraft’ said Christopher Buckley, Executive Vice President, Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. “This longer-range A330 will fit seamlessly into SAS’s current fleet alongside their current A330s, and will pave the way for their A350s in the future. The A330s higher take-off weight allows the airline to fly new Asian routes, with an operational reliability of well over 99 percent. SAS’s passengers will be able to experience the best-in-class cabin comfort that only Airbus offers.”
Scandinavian Airlines, is currently operating 25 A320 Family aircraft, plus four A330-300s and eight A340s. In addition, 30 A320neos are still to be delivered to SAS, along with another three A330-300s and eight A350-900 ordered in 2013
The A330 Family seats 250 to 300 passengers (in a typical 3 class configuration) and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants. To date the A330 Family has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.
Airbus 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 PRESS RELEASE
