SAS expands long-haul network with new Dubai, Phuket and Krabi Flights for Winter 2026/27
SAS expands long-haul network with new Dubai, Phuket and Krabi Flights for Winter 2026/27
SAS has finally had it with grey winters and short hops: for Winter 2026/27 the airline is introducing three brand-new long-haul routes from Copenhagen — and they’re anything but shy.
Introducing Dubai World Central, Phuket and Krabi.
Yes, that’s the Middle East and Thailand in only one of them ballsy strokes. Somebody at SAS has been looking at a globe and thinking, “More. Warmer. Better.”
Dubai Is Back (After a Really Long Timeout)
First out of the blocks – Dubai, welcomed back onto the SAS route map for first time after an eight-year absence. That’s 15 years with nary a single SAS tie between the airline and the UAE (in flying terms, that’s just about forever.)
The new service to Copenhagen–Dubai World Central reopens a direct route between one of the worlds largest business and leisure cities. Whether these are business passengers going to meetings, tourists flocking the malls or just those in search of mild winter sunshine – SAS is back in the game.
And let’s face it: Dubai in winter is a whole lot more appealing than Scandinavia in January.
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Thailand Gets a Taste of Scandinavia with One Splashary Resort
If Dubai is the comeback kid, Thailand is all that.
Long-haul routes SAS is also introducing non-stop flights from Copenhagen to Phuket and Krabi – again, it will be the only carrier offering direct flights on both these services. That’s a pretty good flex — especially when you consider how popular Thailand is already with Nordic visitors.
SAS will therefore greatly increase seat capacity to Thailand on last year, by more than 75%, which in airline maths means: “We definitely know where everyone wants to be”.
Sun, beaches, street food and an exchange of winter coats? The problem here isn’t demand.
Bigger Planes, Bigger Ambitions
This growth is not occurring by accident. The airline is increasing its fleet of Airbus A350s by way of two additional units, beefing up the percentage of operations using them to 34%.
More widebodies equals more seats, more range, more long-haul ambition. All that slots in rather nicely with SAS’s ongoing turnaround and rebuild strategy.
These aircraft will also augment the airline’s capacity on existing points-specific long-haul routes as well, because SAS isn’t just adding new dots to its map — it has a number of places that already matter and is making them stronger.
Not Just New Routes — More of the Big Ones as Well
In addition to the Dubai and Thailand announcements, the airline is also adding services on a number of heavyweight routes, such as:
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Chicago
- Seoul
- Tokyo Haneda
- Bangkok
In other words, this isn’t a seasonal one-shot experiment. It’s part of a wider long-haul push that underlines Copenhagen’s position as the leading global hub for both Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
The Takeaway
Winter 2026/27 is going to be a very different season at SAS.
Dubai is returning after more than a decade’s absence. Serious boost to capacity in Thailand. The A350 fleet grows. And Copenhagen remains on track from regional hub to long-haul powerhouse.
Bottom line? SAS isn’t just growing — it’s making highly deliberate, very sunny choices about where it wants to fly next. And based on these itineraries, Scandinavian winter is about to get a lot cooler. So what’s stopping you making that long awaited trip you’ve always wanted to book? A fantastic DMC can help plan the perfect trip and take all of the work out of it for you! Who wouldn’t want that!
