Originally Posted by
FlyingMoose
That is where the demand is. I remember quotes from the previous CEO in the Scanorama magazine stating that Scandinavians have no interest in long haul travel. At the same time the Scandinavian capitals exploded with long haul routes from other airlines and SAS nearly went bankrupt. At least they are on the right track and to some extend actually listening to customers. I don't need more destinations in Europe, perhaps increased frequency to some but all the relevant locations are covered. The outstanding requirements of the majority of businesses and travellers are long haul. They've closed two major gaps by filling MIA and LAX.
SAS is too costly an operator to provide short/mid-haul LCC-type service and win at it.
SAS is too costly an operator to provide long-haul service to markets that Eastern European and West Asian carriers lick up from Europe and increasingly from the U.S.
Regardless of its cost structure, SAS has the benefit of the major governmental waivers and favors granted to the US3 airlines and the select European airline partners of those US3 airlines. That's why the U.S. expansion is so very predictable with SAS. It's like their last best hope.