SAS Scandinavian Airlines is set to widen its long-haul network with a new wave of non-stop flights from Copenhagen to Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket, cementing the Danish capital’s role as a powerhouse hub for Nordic travelers bound for the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The new routes, introduced for the Winter 2026/27 season, mark a decisive expansion of SAS’s global footprint and promise passengers across Scandinavia more choice, better connectivity, and shorter travel times to some of the world’s most popular sun destinations.

SAS Airbus A350 ascending from Copenhagen, destination vignettes of Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket subtly integrated in the sky.

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SAS Bets Big On Long-Haul Leisure Demand

The new non-stop flights to Dubai and Thailand underscore how aggressively SAS is repositioning itself around long-haul leisure flows following its restructuring and ownership changes. Dubai returns to the SAS map for the first time in around 15 years, while the Thai portfolio is significantly reinforced with Phuket added alongside the already re-established Bangkok service and a new route to Krabi.

For travelers in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, that means more options during the peak Nordic winter getaway season, when demand for warm-weather escapes traditionally spikes. SAS has been steadily increasing capacity to leisure destinations over the past few years, but the 2026/27 plan represents one of its boldest moves yet on intercontinental holiday routes.

The airline is positioning the new services as a natural extension of its broader network overhaul, which has seen Copenhagen developed into a more efficient connecting hub with carefully timed bank structures. For passengers starting their journeys in regional Scandinavian cities, the new long-haul flights are designed to fit seamlessly with short-haul feeders, reducing layover times and simplifying itineraries.

Dubai Returns To The SAS Network

The relaunch of flights to Dubai is a headline element of the expansion. SAS once served the United Arab Emirates but withdrew more than a decade ago as it refocused its long-haul operations. The decision to return now reflects the emirate’s evolution into a multifaceted global destination with strong appeal far beyond traditional business traffic.

Dubai’s blend of high-end resorts, family-friendly theme parks, large-scale events, and extensive shopping and dining options makes it especially attractive to Nordic travelers seeking sunshine during the darkest months at home. From October 2026, SAS will offer direct flights from Copenhagen timed to support both long weekends and extended holidays, competing with Gulf carriers and European rivals for Scandinavia’s outbound leisure market.

The route will be served with Airbus A320neo aircraft, a modern narrowbody optimized for fuel efficiency on medium-haul sectors. While it lacks the sheer capacity of the widebody jets used on some longer SAS routes, the A320neo allows the airline to operate Dubai with a frequency and cost base aligned to expected demand, while still offering a full-service product and connectivity through its Copenhagen hub.

Thailand Network Grows With Phuket Complementing Bangkok

Thailand has long been one of Scandinavia’s favorite winter destinations, and SAS’s decision to deepen its presence there is a direct response to this enduring demand. In 2023, the airline returned to Bangkok with a non-stop seasonal service from Copenhagen, restoring a historic link that dates back to the late 1940s. That route provided a key entry point for both Bangkok city stays and onward connections within Thailand.

From Winter 2026/27, SAS will complement the Bangkok operation with new non-stop flights to Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular island destinations. Known for its beaches, resorts, and easy access to the Andaman Sea’s island archipelagos, Phuket has strong appeal for Nordic travelers in search of winter sun, especially families and couples booking package holidays or independent itineraries of two weeks or more.

By pairing the capital city with a direct island gateway, SAS is effectively segmenting the Thai market: Bangkok will continue to serve a mix of city break, business, and connecting traffic, while Phuket is oriented more squarely toward leisure travelers headed straight to the beach. Both routes are structured to operate as overnight flights, minimizing jet lag and maximizing time on the ground for passengers flying from Scandinavia via Copenhagen.

More Capacity, New Aircraft And A Stronger Copenhagen Hub

Supporting the new long-haul routes is a significant fleet upgrade that gives SAS the flexibility and capacity to grow in key markets. The airline is taking delivery of additional Airbus A350 aircraft, a fuel-efficient widebody that forms the backbone of its intercontinental network. The new jets allow SAS not only to open routes such as Phuket and Krabi, but also to lift capacity on established transatlantic and Asian sectors.

The expansion is particularly visible across North America and Asia, where SAS has announced increased seat offerings on routes including Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok. The strategy is to use the A350’s range and economics to densify high-demand city pairs while maintaining or improving schedule quality for connecting passengers from across Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

At the same time, Copenhagen Airport is being further developed as the airline’s primary long-haul hub, with schedules carefully structured so short-haul arrivals from cities such as Oslo, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Bergen, Stavanger, Aarhus, Aalborg, and others connect efficiently to the new Dubai and Thailand departures. This hub design aims to give travelers in both the larger Nordic capitals and smaller regional markets a smooth, one-stop itinerary to destinations that previously required two or more connections or travel via rival hubs.

Competitive Positioning In The Middle East And Southeast Asia

By stepping back into Dubai and reinforcing Thailand, SAS is challenging some of the most powerful players in global aviation. Gulf carriers have long dominated connecting traffic between Europe and Asia, including flows originating in the Nordics. The combination of a direct Dubai service and enhanced Thai network gives SAS an opportunity to retain a greater share of its home markets on its own metal.

In Southeast Asia, the expansion complements SAS’s existing footprint and offers an alternative to itineraries via other European or Asian hubs. For passengers who prioritize non-stop flying from Northern Europe, the ability to reach Bangkok, Phuket, and other Thai destinations with a single transfer in Copenhagen is likely to be a strong selling point, particularly during peak holiday periods.

Pricing and partnership strategies will also be in the spotlight. SAS has been in the midst of an alliance transition and broader corporate transformation, and new long-haul routes offer an opportunity to reset its commercial approach on intercontinental leisure segments. Whether through direct sales, tour operator partnerships, or future code-sharing agreements, the airline will be looking to ensure that seats to Dubai and Thailand are filled profitably throughout the winter season.

What The New Routes Mean For Nordic Travelers

For passengers across Scandinavia, the most immediate benefit of the new Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket services is a wider range of choices. Travelers who previously had to detour via Frankfurt, London, Doha, or other hubs to reach these destinations will now be able to plan simpler, more time-efficient itineraries, often with a single connection and coordinated baggage and ticketing.

The expanded network is likely to resonate particularly with families and older travelers who value direct or near-direct services with familiar carriers and straightforward airport experiences. Copenhagen Airport’s compact layout and SAS’s integrated operations make it relatively easy to manage connections even for those unused to large hub airports.

Frequent flyers and corporate customers, meanwhile, gain additional redemption and upgrade opportunities on long-haul holiday routes, as well as more flexibility to mix business trips with leisure stays in destinations such as Dubai and Bangkok. The use of the Airbus A350 on key Thai services also improves the onboard experience with quieter cabins, modern seating, and a lower carbon footprint per passenger compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Outlook: A More Global SAS After Restructuring

The decision to launch new long-haul routes to Dubai and Thailand comes as SAS emerges from a period of financial restructuring, ownership changes, and alliance realignment. After focusing heavily on stabilizing its core European network, the airline is now clearly signaling that growth is back on the agenda, particularly in markets where Nordic travelers have shown consistent demand over many years.

If the Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket services perform well, they could pave the way for further growth in the Middle East and Asia, where SAS has already announced capacity increases and new destinations such as Seoul. The airline has indicated that it sees long-haul leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic as key pillars of its future network, alongside traditional corporate flows to North America and major European financial centers.

For travelers, that suggests a future in which SAS plays a larger role not just in getting them around Scandinavia and Europe, but also in taking them to some of the world’s most sought-after holiday hotspots without the need to change airlines or backtrack through distant hubs.

FAQ

Q1. When will SAS start its new non-stop flights to Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket?
The new non-stop long-haul routes are planned for the Winter 2026/27 season, with Dubai launching in late October 2026 and the expanded Thailand program, including Phuket, ramping up from early December 2026.

Q2. From which airport will the new Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket flights depart?
All three routes will depart from Copenhagen Airport, which SAS is developing as its primary long-haul hub for travelers from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and other parts of Northern and Central Europe.

Q3. Will these flights be non-stop from Scandinavia to each destination?
Yes, the new services to Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket are planned as non-stop routes from Copenhagen, providing one-stop itineraries for most Nordic passengers who connect via the Danish capital.

Q4. What aircraft will SAS use on the new Dubai and Thailand routes?
SAS intends to operate Dubai with Airbus A320neo aircraft, while its Thai network, including Bangkok and Phuket, will be supported by widebody Airbus A350 jets, which offer increased capacity and lower fuel burn compared with older models.

Q5. How will the new routes affect travelers in cities like Oslo and Stockholm?
Passengers from Oslo, Stockholm, and other regional cities will typically fly to Copenhagen on SAS short-haul services, then connect to the new long-haul flights. Timetables are being shaped so that these feeder flights align efficiently with Dubai and Thailand departures and arrivals.

Q6. Are the Dubai and Phuket services seasonal or year-round?
The new routes are being launched as part of SAS’s Winter 2026/27 program and are primarily focused on peak winter demand. The airline will evaluate performance and market conditions before deciding whether to extend any of the services beyond the winter season.

Q7. How do these new flights compare with flying via other hubs?
For many Nordic passengers, traveling with SAS via Copenhagen can reduce total journey time, cut the number of connections, and provide a more consistent product compared with itineraries that route through multiple third-country hubs on different airlines.

Q8. Will SAS offer premium cabins on the Thailand routes?
Yes, the Airbus A350 aircraft serving Thailand are configured with multiple cabins, including a premium business class and a separate premium economy section, giving travelers several comfort and pricing options on the long-haul sector.

Q9. Can frequent flyers earn and redeem points on these new routes?
Members of SAS’s loyalty program will be able to earn status and award points on the new Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket services and redeem points for seats, upgrades, and ancillary services, subject to availability and program rules at the time of booking.

Q10. What does this expansion say about SAS’s broader strategy?
The launch of new non-stop flights to Dubai and key Thai destinations signals that SAS is moving from consolidation to measured growth, using new, more efficient aircraft to tap strong Nordic demand for long-haul leisure travel while reinforcing Copenhagen’s position as a leading Northern European hub.