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SAS Airbus order: 30 jets for fleet renewal
SAS Airbus order secures 30 new jets — 20 A321XLRs and 10 A350‑900s — with deliveries starting in 2027.
Scandinavian carrier SAS (IATA: SK) confirmed an order with Airbus for 20 A321XLR narrowbodies and 10 A350‑900 widebodies as part of a fleet renewal and network expansion plan. The deal, valued at more than $6 billion at list prices, will begin deliveries in 2027 and is intended to refresh aging widebody aircraft while unlocking new long‑haul opportunities from Scandinavia.
SAS Airbus order: what the fleet change means
The 20 A321XLRs give SAS extended single‑aisle range, enabling direct transatlantic and Middle East services from Nordic gateways without requiring larger widebodies on every route. The 10 A350‑900s will replace older widebody types and support SAS’s long‑haul backbone with improved fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. Airbus highlights the lower fuel burn and emissions of both models, aligning with SAS’s stated goal to cut CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030.
The move also strengthens Airbus’s footprint in the Nordic market, where airlines are increasingly choosing next‑generation, lower‑emission jets. For SAS, the mixed order balances capacity and range: A321XLRs for thinner long‑haul city pairs and A350‑900s for high‑demand trunk routes.
- Fleet mix: 20 A321XLR (single‑aisle) + 10 A350‑900 (twin‑aisle) — central to the SAS Airbus order strategy.
- Deliveries begin: 2027.
- List value: >$6 billion (list prices).
- Sustainability target: 25% CO2 reduction by 2030.
Operationally, the order should allow SAS to open new routes and increase frequency on existing long‑haul services while improving unit economics thanks to the newer, more efficient airframes. Passengers can expect refreshed cabins on A350‑900s and a long‑range narrowbody experience on the A321XLRs, both designed to reduce fuel use compared with the older types they replace.
While details such as specific routes and cabin configurations have not been disclosed, the headline figures — 30 aircraft, a 2027 delivery start and a sustainability focus — give a clear signal about SAS’s strategy: modernize the fleet, grow transatlantic and Middle East connections, and cut emissions on a path to 2030 targets.
