Oct 3, 2023, 2:27 pm
Last edit by: Nick Art
SAS plans to leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam
On the 3rd of October SAS announced further steps as part of their SAS FORWARD plan. SAS has raised nearly 12.9 billion SEK as part of their Chapter 11 restructuring process. This will mean current shareholders are wiped out and the company will be delisted.
The new owners include Air France-KLM, Castlelake, Lind Invest and the Danish state.
As such, SAS plans to leave Star Alliance and join Air France-KLM's Sky Team alliance by summer 2024.
FAQ:
What does this mean for EuroBonus?
SAS EuroBonus FAQ:
On October 3rd 2023, SAS announced the intention to eventually join SkyTeam and leave Star Alliance. For now the EuroBonus program remains unchanged. SAS will keep you informed about what to expect over the coming months and will provide updates continuously on the EuroBonus website.
1. What will happen to EuroBonus?
2. What will happen to my EuroBonus points?
3. What will happen to my EuroBonus tier status?
4. What will happen to my EuroBonus Lifetime Gold status?
5. Do I keep my status benefits when I travel on another Star Alliance partner airline?
6. Can I still earn points when I fly on another Star Alliance carrier?
7. What will happen to my existing Star Alliance award bookings?
8. Can I still use my points to redeem on other Star Alliance carriers?
9. Can I still earn points on credits cards and other non-airline partners?
10. Can I still use my EuroBonus points on non-airline partners such as rental cars or hotels?
Will there be opportunities to match with other programs to remain in *A?
Will AF - KLM take over control of SAS?
What is the ratio of the new ownership?
What happens to existing SAS shares?
Will SAS change their HUB strategy or move their HQ to Denmark?
Will SAS join the SkyTeam transatlantic Joint Venture?
How was this decided?
What is the process now?
Sources and links:
- SAS Press Release
- Communication E-Mail sent to EB members can be found in Post 114
- E24 (Information with regards to EuroBonus. Thanks to matin for the find in Post 64)
- Reuters
- AF-KLM Press Release
- SAS EuroBonus FAQ (Thanks again to matin for the find in Post 237)
- DInside on Merger of EuroBonus into FlyingBlue (Thanks to Frederik74 for the find in Post 473)
On the 3rd of October SAS announced further steps as part of their SAS FORWARD plan. SAS has raised nearly 12.9 billion SEK as part of their Chapter 11 restructuring process. This will mean current shareholders are wiped out and the company will be delisted.
The new owners include Air France-KLM, Castlelake, Lind Invest and the Danish state.
As such, SAS plans to leave Star Alliance and join Air France-KLM's Sky Team alliance by summer 2024.
FAQ:
What does this mean for EuroBonus?
- Eurobonus members can still book travel on Star Alliance carriers until the end of the transition period.
Future affiliation with Air France-KLM's Flying Blue frequent flyer programme has not yet been decided.- In the meantime the agreement between SAS and the investing consortium includes a provision for preparations of merging EuroBonus into FlyingBlue once AF-KLM owns more than 50% of the outstanding shares. It thus seems very likely that EuroBonus will ultimately be merged into FlyingBlue, the timeline and details of this are, however, still unclear.
SAS EuroBonus FAQ:
On October 3rd 2023, SAS announced the intention to eventually join SkyTeam and leave Star Alliance. For now the EuroBonus program remains unchanged. SAS will keep you informed about what to expect over the coming months and will provide updates continuously on the EuroBonus website.
1. What will happen to EuroBonus?
- No changes are being made to the program and EuroBonus will remain SAS's loyalty program. As a member, you will continue to earn and use points on SAS as today. Your status and benefits as a EuroBonus member when you fly with SAS will not be impacted. Delivering an attractive loyalty program to SAS's loyal customers will remain the top priority for us and our new owners, even after SAS changes ownership and alliance. SAS intends to eventually leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam, and adjustments to the program will be made accordingly. As long as SAS is a member of Star Alliance, EuroBonus members can continue to enjoy the same benefits as they do today when flying on a Star Alliance partner airline.
2. What will happen to my EuroBonus points?
- No changes are made to your EuroBonus points. You will keep all points earned until now and will continue to earn and use points just like today.
3. What will happen to my EuroBonus tier status?
- No changes are made to your EuroBonus tier status. You will retain your status and your progress made during your qualification period. Requirements to reach each tier level and benefits included in each tier remain the same.
4. What will happen to my EuroBonus Lifetime Gold status?
- No changes are made to the EuroBonus Lifetime Gold program. EuroBonus Lifetime Gold memberships will be honored even after SAS joins SkyTeam, and all progress made towards Lifetime Gold will be kept.
5. Do I keep my status benefits when I travel on another Star Alliance partner airline?
- While SAS remains part of Star Alliance, you will enjoy the same status benefits as you do today when you fly with a Star Alliance partner When SAS eventually joins SkyTeam, you will also be able to enjoy similar status benefits across the extensive SkyTeam network.
6. Can I still earn points when I fly on another Star Alliance carrier?
- While SAS remains part of Star Alliance, you will be able to earn EuroBonus Basic points when flying on a Star Alliance airline partner flights
7. What will happen to my existing Star Alliance award bookings?
- Existing bookings remain unchanged and will be honored even if you fly after SAS eventually leaves Star Alliance
8. Can I still use my points to redeem on other Star Alliance carriers?
- While SAS remains part of Star Alliance, we will allow you to use EuroBonus points to book Star Alliance award trips
9. Can I still earn points on credits cards and other non-airline partners?
- Yes
10. Can I still use my EuroBonus points on non-airline partners such as rental cars or hotels?
- Yes
- While SAS remains part of Star Alliance, members of other Star Alliance member programs will keep their status benefits while flying on SAS, and will be able to spend their miles/points on SAS flights
Will there be opportunities to match with other programs to remain in *A?
- Most likely yes, but it will have yet to be seen what opportunities will present itself.
Will AF - KLM take over control of SAS?
- After a minimum of two years and pending regulatory permission, AF - KLM may increase its stake to grant it controlling power over SAS. However, the current situation indicates that there are agreements within the consortium, which would de facto give AF - KLM control with regards to certain aspects of SAS operations (as seen by the announcement to leave *A and join ST).
What is the ratio of the new ownership?
- Castlelake: 32%
- AF - KLM: 19.9%
- Danish State: 25.8%
- Lind Invest: 8.6%
- Remaining equity to be distributed to existing creditors.
What happens to existing SAS shares?
- This process makes current SAS shares lose their value. Some existing shareholders expressed displeasure about the decision and are questioning wether an American court can rule on making existing shares of SAS lose their value. It remains to be seen if legal action is taken.
Will SAS change their HUB strategy or move their HQ to Denmark?
- This is as of yet unconfirmed but it seems likely that SAS might focus on CPH and move its HQ.
Will SAS join the SkyTeam transatlantic Joint Venture?
- This is the stated goal of AF-KLM CEO, but will require regulatory approval.
How was this decided?
- There was a bidding process and two bids were received. Private Equity company Apollo Global Invest had expressed interest in taking control of the airline.
- The decision on the bids was taken roughly 30 minutes before the press conference on October 3rd as stated by Dilling.
What is the process now?
- Nothing changes immediately. As of now SAS is still a member of Star Alliance and will continue to operate normally for the foreseeable future.
- The announcements made today reflect the future plans, which are subject to approval by many different entities and regulatory bodies. These include the courts in the US to approve the Chapter 11 process, courts in Sweden which will have to approve the restructuring (and invalidation of shares), as well as the following, as taken out of the SAS press release: "(...) antitrust authorities, civil aviation authorities, the European Commission, and EFTA Surveillance Authority (as applicable), SAS leaving Star Alliance, the implementation of a Swedish Reorganization at the SAS AB level, and other customary conditions. There currently remains uncertainty in respect of satisfying such conditions and obtaining required approvals (...)".
- We should hear more about if this is going through in the next couple of weeks.
- SAS plans to exit Chapter 11 in Q2 2024 and leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam before summer 2024.
Sources and links:
- SAS Press Release
- Communication E-Mail sent to EB members can be found in Post 114
- E24 (Information with regards to EuroBonus. Thanks to matin for the find in Post 64)
- Reuters
- AF-KLM Press Release
- SAS EuroBonus FAQ (Thanks again to matin for the find in Post 237)
- DInside on Merger of EuroBonus into FlyingBlue (Thanks to Frederik74 for the find in Post 473)
SAS to leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam [eff. 01 Sep 2024]
Oct 4, 2023, 9:53 am
#211
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,986
If you look at the route network ex CPH they have very litte going north, but more south:
https://www.flightconnections.com/fl...copenhagen-cph
I suppose danish business travel is used to connect someplace and use the EU3 to get where they need to be, and leisure travel wants to get there in a direct flight.
https://www.flightconnections.com/fl...copenhagen-cph
I suppose danish business travel is used to connect someplace and use the EU3 to get where they need to be, and leisure travel wants to get there in a direct flight.
Oct 4, 2023, 10:04 am
#212
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond
Posts: 169
I'm not sure how to feel. I love the *A, but I'm not a big fan of SAS any longer. Service is crap, you never know if you're getting on a flight that's operated by one of the 1800 providers and I'm tired of getting 125 points for a CPH-LHR flight that was still 300€ just because it was called Go-Light, so I think I'm going to be happy with a more revenue centric model.. SkyTeam feels pretty .... though.. I honestly just hope that they merge EB and FB so that it hopefully unlocks some award space - maybe even in la premiere one day 
. I'm okay with the dynamic pricing model. I have 900k points and feel like I'm rarely able to find any award space anyways(on *A today)
. I'm okay with the dynamic pricing model. I have 900k points and feel like I'm rarely able to find any award space anyways(on *A today)
Oct 4, 2023, 10:09 am
#213
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
So now we know why SK started flying to JFK again after 35 years........ Interesting to see what happens to the IAD flight. My feeling is that SK started flying there in 2001 because of UA's expansion at IAD in the 1990s. At the time EWR did not offer good *A connections before the UA/CO merger. Today all the destinations in the US are *A/UA hubs........ well, not BOS but that's all O/D traffic.
Logically, they would switch IAD with ATL. Uggh. MSP or DTW for ORD is a tough one. Tier 1 airport subbed with tier 2?
Logically, they would switch IAD with ATL. Uggh. MSP or DTW for ORD is a tough one. Tier 1 airport subbed with tier 2?
Oct 4, 2023, 10:24 am
#214
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Keep in mind that CPH-ORD was left operating pretty much daily throughout the emptiest days of the airports during the pandemic. Cargo alone is what supported my being one of sub-20 passengers on a lot of those SAS flights. MSP wont fly for cargo like ORD. DTW? I doubt it flies well for CPH. Chicago is a way more important business center than MSP and even DTW, and as DL@ATL has found out before with service to Scandinavia, connecting at ATL wasnt high on the order for Scandinavian and Scandinavian-bound travelers.
CPH-JFK replacing CPH-EWR flights would be just fine by me if it werent to likely mean worse ticket costs for me when flying SAS and onward within the US after the SAS TATL flights. But I foresee it coming with higher ticket costs for me, and that I wont welcome.
CPH-JFK replacing CPH-EWR flights would be just fine by me if it werent to likely mean worse ticket costs for me when flying SAS and onward within the US after the SAS TATL flights. But I foresee it coming with higher ticket costs for me, and that I wont welcome.
Oct 4, 2023, 10:38 am
#215
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
SAS hasn’t been such a hot topic on FT since the days of the very cheap — sub-$399 round trip — SK business fares from OSL to PVG/PEK. 
Indeed. That said, the Oresunsdtag train travel from Vaxjo to CPH is less reliable and timely nowadays than it was 20 years ago.
SJ is the reason I fly where I previously would have considered the train. Given how busy the CPH-ARN route can be with just commuter types, I can only hope AF/KL+SK don’t decide to draw down the capacity on such route and this ends up going the way of the Delta Shuttle.
CPH-BOS probably has a lot going for it, but Lego seems like a Lego cherry on top — just don’t step on it when in socks/stockings or bare feet.
Finland didn't go full bore Chicago boys deregulation and disinvestment in public ownership and infrastructure and takes a different view of things.
Services to Vxj, or short hops from CPH are often outcompeted by the train, although SJ has been a complete cluster for years, that advantage is being edged out, but are still served by resundstg, at a doable (but not same service level) 2h:30. Nonetheless it's been Swedish policy to eradicate as much domestic/short haul air travel as possible for decades, no matter who is running the show, without providing much replacement. When SK stopped flying to NRK it was the train and just making do. Flying to ARN and then back down takes more time and energy than CPH.
Services to Vxj, or short hops from CPH are often outcompeted by the train, although SJ has been a complete cluster for years, that advantage is being edged out, but are still served by resundstg, at a doable (but not same service level) 2h:30. Nonetheless it's been Swedish policy to eradicate as much domestic/short haul air travel as possible for decades, no matter who is running the show, without providing much replacement. When SK stopped flying to NRK it was the train and just making do. Flying to ARN and then back down takes more time and energy than CPH.
SJ is the reason I fly where I previously would have considered the train. Given how busy the CPH-ARN route can be with just commuter types, I can only hope AF/KL+SK don’t decide to draw down the capacity on such route and this ends up going the way of the Delta Shuttle.
Unlikely SAS will EVER drop BOS - Lego just moved their US corporate HQ here!
https://www.boston.com/news/business...boston-office/
https://www.boston.com/news/business...boston-office/
Last edited by GUWonder; Oct 4, 2023 at 10:46 am
Oct 4, 2023, 11:21 am
#216
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,119
SAS hasnt been such a hot topic on FT since the days of the very cheap sub-$399 round trip SK business fares from OSL to PVG/PEK.
Indeed. That said, the Oresunsdtag train travel from Vaxjo to CPH is less reliable and timely nowadays than it was 20 years ago.
SJ is the reason I fly where I previously would have considered the train. Given how busy the CPH-ARN route can be with just commuter types, I can only hope AF/KL+SK dont decide to draw down the capacity on such route and this ends up going the way of the Delta Shuttle.
CPH-BOS probably has a lot going for it, but Lego seems like a Lego cherry on top just dont step on it when in socks/stockings or bare feet.
Indeed. That said, the Oresunsdtag train travel from Vaxjo to CPH is less reliable and timely nowadays than it was 20 years ago.
SJ is the reason I fly where I previously would have considered the train. Given how busy the CPH-ARN route can be with just commuter types, I can only hope AF/KL+SK dont decide to draw down the capacity on such route and this ends up going the way of the Delta Shuttle.
CPH-BOS probably has a lot going for it, but Lego seems like a Lego cherry on top just dont step on it when in socks/stockings or bare feet.
Oresunsdtag and pagatag are really unreliable - it has been for at least the past 15 years.
Oct 4, 2023, 12:00 pm
#217
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat (farewell DL :-<),Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 244
I'm not sure how to feel. I love the *A, but I'm not a big fan of SAS any longer. Service is crap, you never know if you're getting on a flight that's operated by one of the 1800 providers and I'm tired of getting 125 points for a CPH-LHR flight that was still 300 just because it was called Go-Light, so I think I'm going to be happy with a more revenue centric model.. SkyTeam feels pretty .... though.. I honestly just hope that they merge EB and FB so that it hopefully unlocks some award space - maybe even in la premiere one day . I'm okay with the dynamic pricing model. I have 900k points and feel like I'm rarely able to find any award space anyways(on *A today)
. I'm okay with the dynamic pricing model. I have 900k points and feel like I'm rarely able to find any award space anyways(on *A today)
Oct 4, 2023, 12:16 pm
#218
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 440
SAS hasnt been such a hot topic on FT since the days of the very cheap sub-$399 round trip SK business fares from OSL to PVG/PEK.
Indeed. That said, the Oresunsdtag train travel from Vaxjo to CPH is less reliable and timely nowadays than it was 20 years ago.
SJ is the reason I fly where I previously would have considered the train. Given how busy the CPH-ARN route can be with just commuter types, I can only hope AF/KL+SK dont decide to draw down the capacity on such route and this ends up going the way of the Delta Shuttle.
CPH-BOS probably has a lot going for it, but Lego seems like a Lego cherry on top just dont step on it when in socks/stockings or bare feet.
Indeed. That said, the Oresunsdtag train travel from Vaxjo to CPH is less reliable and timely nowadays than it was 20 years ago.
SJ is the reason I fly where I previously would have considered the train. Given how busy the CPH-ARN route can be with just commuter types, I can only hope AF/KL+SK dont decide to draw down the capacity on such route and this ends up going the way of the Delta Shuttle.
CPH-BOS probably has a lot going for it, but Lego seems like a Lego cherry on top just dont step on it when in socks/stockings or bare feet.
Oct 4, 2023, 12:23 pm
#219
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 440
Keep in mind that CPH-ORD was left operating pretty much daily throughout the emptiest days of the airports during the pandemic. Cargo alone is what supported my being one of sub-20 passengers on a lot of those SAS flights. MSP wont fly for cargo like ORD. DTW? I doubt it flies well for CPH. Chicago is a way more important business center than MSP and even DTW, and as DL@ATL has found out before with service to Scandinavia, connecting at ATL wasnt high on the order for Scandinavian and Scandinavian-bound travelers.
CPH-JFK replacing CPH-EWR flights would be just fine by me if it werent to likely mean worse ticket costs for me when flying SAS and onward within the US after the SAS TATL flights. But I foresee it coming with higher ticket costs for me, and that I wont welcome.
CPH-JFK replacing CPH-EWR flights would be just fine by me if it werent to likely mean worse ticket costs for me when flying SAS and onward within the US after the SAS TATL flights. But I foresee it coming with higher ticket costs for me, and that I wont welcome.
ATL just needs one small thunderclap and it's a madhouse. The ATC issues in NYC are going to only get worse and I have no desire to connect through that mishegas.
Oct 4, 2023, 1:20 pm
#220
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,591
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is how the LH Group outsources their ticketing/ground operations to SK at ARN/CPH/OSL (and probably all Scandinavian airports where the LH Group flies). I really enjoyed dropping off bags the evening before departure at ARN when taking LH or OS flights, and that is probably going away now. So now the burning questions are...
* Will the LH Group outsource ticketing/ground operations to Menzies, or bring in their own employees (doubtful)?
* Will the LH Group eliminate operations to/from BGO, SVG, GOT, AAR, BLL, Kalmar?
* Will UA combine operations with LH at ARN and CPH?
* Will the LH Group outsource ticketing/ground operations to Menzies, or bring in their own employees (doubtful)?
* Will the LH Group eliminate operations to/from BGO, SVG, GOT, AAR, BLL, Kalmar?
* Will UA combine operations with LH at ARN and CPH?
Oct 4, 2023, 2:15 pm
#222
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,986
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is how the LH Group outsources their ticketing/ground operations to SK at ARN/CPH/OSL (and probably all Scandinavian airports where the LH Group flies). I really enjoyed dropping off bags the evening before departure at ARN when taking LH or OS flights, and that is probably going away now. So now the burning questions are...
* Will the LH Group outsource ticketing/ground operations to Menzies, or bring in their own employees (doubtful)?
* Will the LH Group eliminate operations to/from BGO, SVG, GOT, AAR, BLL, Kalmar?
* Will UA combine operations with LH at ARN and CPH?
* Will the LH Group outsource ticketing/ground operations to Menzies, or bring in their own employees (doubtful)?
* Will the LH Group eliminate operations to/from BGO, SVG, GOT, AAR, BLL, Kalmar?
* Will UA combine operations with LH at ARN and CPH?
Oct 4, 2023, 2:44 pm
#223
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,331
But then it might turn out like Japan - ANA or JL. I have only flown JAA a long time ago but both airlines are good (probably because they are Japanese). I don't want to have to pick between AFKL/LH. I want more competition to press down the price. Now they are so big that they can fix prices and do whatever they want.
The Japan market is quite different, passengers pay a hefty premium and are willing to pay a hefty premium to fly with JANA INTERNATIONALLY. Domestic there is a host of other airlines but the market is regulated and most of the independent airlines are no more independent than being effectively either part of team red or team blue.
Almost all major airlibes fly to Japan, the only ones with a worse schedule from Europe than SK is KL. And a lot of Asian LCC flies to Japan. Apart from Tokyo, JANA has very limited long haul flights, that's all left to partners or competitors. So you actually have a wide choice, and all the foreign carriers are actually cheaper than JANA.
From an alliance perspective, Skyteam is just awful in Japan. Without a local airline, there are so many destinations that you can't make it to without connecting. Even Hong Kong would suddenly require a stop Seoul or Taipei, where JAL and Cathay would offer 8 flights a day from Tokyo.
Oct 4, 2023, 3:35 pm
#224
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,119
But you are already there, if you want to exclude the low cost carriers. You can pick between LHG/AFKL/IAG. And currently a few niche players, Lot, TAP, Air Europe, and SK.
The Japan market is quite different, passengers pay a hefty premium and are willing to pay a hefty premium to fly with JANA INTERNATIONALLY. Domestic there is a host of other airlines but the market is regulated and most of the independent airlines are no more independent than being effectively either part of team red or team blue.
Almost all major airlibes fly to Japan, the only ones with a worse schedule from Europe than SK is KL. And a lot of Asian LCC flies to Japan. Apart from Tokyo, JANA has very limited long haul flights, that's all left to partners or competitors. So you actually have a wide choice, and all the foreign carriers are actually cheaper than JANA.
From an alliance perspective, Skyteam is just awful in Japan. Without a local airline, there are so many destinations that you can't make it to without connecting. Even Hong Kong would suddenly require a stop Seoul or Taipei, where JAL and Cathay would offer 8 flights a day from Tokyo.
The Japan market is quite different, passengers pay a hefty premium and are willing to pay a hefty premium to fly with JANA INTERNATIONALLY. Domestic there is a host of other airlines but the market is regulated and most of the independent airlines are no more independent than being effectively either part of team red or team blue.
Almost all major airlibes fly to Japan, the only ones with a worse schedule from Europe than SK is KL. And a lot of Asian LCC flies to Japan. Apart from Tokyo, JANA has very limited long haul flights, that's all left to partners or competitors. So you actually have a wide choice, and all the foreign carriers are actually cheaper than JANA.
From an alliance perspective, Skyteam is just awful in Japan. Without a local airline, there are so many destinations that you can't make it to without connecting. Even Hong Kong would suddenly require a stop Seoul or Taipei, where JAL and Cathay would offer 8 flights a day from Tokyo.
ST is useless in Japan especially if you are mostly flying domestic (there are so many international airlines flying to and from Japan) - unlike Taiwan - CL is ST, EVA is *A and Starlux is thinking about joining OW, so they are fully covered by all 3 alliances. Korea, on the other hand, once OZ is merged with KE, ST is the only alliance there. Apart from Seoul/TPE, PVG is also a ST hub too.
What about LH flying into NGO? I remember our flight was like 10am or something. I kind of recall that most long haul flights leave around that time.
In Europe we still have TK (I see TK as European as IST is on the European side) and A3. LOT is kind of part of LH (at least the M&M part) but they seem to have more autonomy than LX SN and OS. TK and LO are the only 2 airlines that I prefer flying because they don't have the crappy HBO/Y- fare for long haul flights.
Oct 4, 2023, 4:28 pm
#225
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,331
Yep, LH group has their own check-in at CPH T2. Aviator is their ground handling agent.
I know we are getting there but it is still sad to think that as consumers we have very little alternatives. It's so fixed in Japan with 2 major players - domestic terminals in KIX, HND, CTS, OKA have 2 sides - one for JAL and the other for ANA. They do have subsidiaries like Air DO works with ANA.
ST is useless in Japan especially if you are mostly flying domestic (there are so many international airlines flying to and from Japan) - unlike Taiwan - CL is ST, EVA is *A and Starlux is thinking about joining OW, so they are fully covered by all 3 alliances. Korea, on the other hand, once OZ is merged with KE, ST is the only alliance there. Apart from Seoul/TPE, PVG is also a ST hub too.
What about LH flying into NGO? I remember our flight was like 10am or something. I kind of recall that most long haul flights leave around that time.
In Europe we still have TK (I see TK as European as IST is on the European side) and A3. LOT is kind of part of LH (at least the M&M part) but they seem to have more autonomy than LX SN and OS. TK and LO are the only 2 airlines that I prefer flying because they don't have the crappy HBO/Y- fare for long haul flights.
I know we are getting there but it is still sad to think that as consumers we have very little alternatives. It's so fixed in Japan with 2 major players - domestic terminals in KIX, HND, CTS, OKA have 2 sides - one for JAL and the other for ANA. They do have subsidiaries like Air DO works with ANA.
ST is useless in Japan especially if you are mostly flying domestic (there are so many international airlines flying to and from Japan) - unlike Taiwan - CL is ST, EVA is *A and Starlux is thinking about joining OW, so they are fully covered by all 3 alliances. Korea, on the other hand, once OZ is merged with KE, ST is the only alliance there. Apart from Seoul/TPE, PVG is also a ST hub too.
What about LH flying into NGO? I remember our flight was like 10am or something. I kind of recall that most long haul flights leave around that time.
In Europe we still have TK (I see TK as European as IST is on the European side) and A3. LOT is kind of part of LH (at least the M&M part) but they seem to have more autonomy than LX SN and OS. TK and LO are the only 2 airlines that I prefer flying because they don't have the crappy HBO/Y- fare for long haul flights.