SAS has completed the first transatlantic flight with its latest Airbus A321 LR (Long Range) aircraft, ahead of the plane’s official entry into service in March 2022.
The narrowbody aircraft flew between Copenhagen and Washington on Wednesday December 22.
SAS took delivery of its first A321 LR last year, and had originally been set to roster the A321LR onto the Copenhagen-Boston route from September 2020, before the onset of Covid-19 saw this postponed.
In July we reported that A321 LR flights would commence between Copenhagen and Boston in September, but this now appears to have been further postponed, with the carrier stating that the aircraft “will officially enter service on March 27, 2022 and is planned to operate on routes from Copenhagen to Washington, Boston and New York”.
SAS’ leased A321LR features the carrier’s new livery, and is fitted with 22 fully flat business class seats, as well as 12 Plus (premium economy) seats, and 123 economy seats.
Commenting on the news Karl Sandlund, EVP and chief commercial officer, said:
“This is an entirely new aircraft type for SAS, which is incredibly well suited to the Scandinavian market and emerging travel patterns to and from the region. It gives SAS an opportunity to offer travellers more intercontinental routes, fewer stopovers, and shorter travel times to and from Scandinavia.
“The new aircraft is equipped with a service concept at par with the rest of SAS’ long-haul fleet, offering passengers all the benefits, level of comfort and choices of our traveling classes.
“Reducing the carbon footprint in the airline industry is crucial and SAS aims to lead the way toward sustainable travel. We have set a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent by 2030. The ongoing fleet renewal, including new long-haul aircraft, is an investment toward more sustainable aviation.”
