Scandinavian football fans from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden are already looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Scandinavian Airlines is positioning itself as the most seamless way to cross the Atlantic for the tournament.

With an expanded North American network, strengthened codeshare partnerships in the SkyTeam alliance, and a record-breaking summer 2026 schedule, SAS is tailoring its operations to make sure that supporters can reach host cities efficiently as the world’s biggest football event comes to North America.

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SAS Builds a Transatlantic Platform for World Cup Travel

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, spread across 16 venues in three countries and stretching from Vancouver in the north to Mexico City and Guadalajara in the south.

For fans in Scandinavia, that scale makes smart routing more important than ever. SAS has responded by consolidating Copenhagen as its primary intercontinental hub and significantly boosting direct and connecting capacity to North America in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Following a restructuring and partial acquisition by the Air France-KLM Group, SAS has pivoted its network strategy around partnerships that give Nordic passengers one-stop access to dozens of American and Canadian cities.

Direct SAS flights from Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm into key gateways such as New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Seattle now feed into partner networks that reach deep into the United States and Canada, placing a wide range of World Cup host cities within a single connection of Scandinavia.

For many supporters, that means that a journey that once required piecing together separate itineraries on different carriers can now be handled as one integrated trip.

From ticketing and baggage through to frequent flyer benefits, SAS customers are able to remain within a coordinated system from departure to arrival in North America, an advantage likely to prove valuable when stadiums, airports, and city centers are under peak pressure during June and July 2026.

Direct North American Routes Tailored to Football Fans

On the transatlantic side, SAS has spent the past two years rebuilding and expanding its North American footprint with an eye on major leisure and event travel.

The reintroduction of nonstops from Copenhagen to Seattle, announced in September 2024, added a Pacific Northwest gateway that opens up convenient one-stop connections to western World Cup venues in cities such as Vancouver and potential West Coast hosts in the United States.

That route joined existing nonstops from Copenhagen to major gateways including New York, Chicago, Toronto, and other US hubs that will serve as key entry points for European fans.

In its 2025 summer program, SAS introduced new intercontinental connections from Copenhagen to both Seattle and Seoul while increasing frequencies on established long-haul routes.

The airline has highlighted Toronto among the services receiving additional capacity, a move that aligns closely with Canada’s World Cup role and heightened tourism expectations.

More frequent departures provide additional flexibility for fans timing their travel around specific group-stage fixtures and knockout rounds.

Oslo and Stockholm also play a role in the overall transatlantic strategy, with daily or near-daily services to New York area airports providing a northern alternative for Norwegian and Swedish fans who prefer to avoid an additional intra-European connection.

By distributing long-haul capacity across the three Scandinavian capitals yet funnelling many onward connections through Copenhagen, SAS can offer both local convenience and hub-style connectivity.

SkyTeam, Delta and Virgin Atlantic: Partnerships Designed for Connectivity

The strategic move that underpins SAS’s World Cup readiness is its transition from Star Alliance to the SkyTeam alliance and the subsequent web of codeshare agreements with key North American and transatlantic partners.

SAS officially joined SkyTeam in September 2024 and quickly cemented a codeshare deal with Delta Air Lines, giving Scandinavian passengers one-ticket access to more than 150 destinations in North America via Delta’s hubs in Atlanta, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Under this arrangement, SAS customers flying to the United States can book World Cup itineraries that combine a SAS-operated transatlantic leg with Delta domestic flights, all under a single reservation.

That structure is particularly useful for reaching inland and southern host cities that would otherwise require complex self-connecting journeys.

Similar benefits apply to Canadian destinations served through US or Canadian hubs, ensuring that major venues in both countries are accessible with one checked bag and one coordinated schedule.

The partnership strategy extends beyond Delta. A separate codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic enables smooth onward travel from Virgin’s transatlantic flights into SAS-operated services connecting London with Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Stavanger, and Bergen.

For Scandinavian fans who begin their World Cup journey from the UK or who wish to combine matches with time in Britain or Ireland, this adds additional options underpinned by unified frequent flyer benefits and SkyPriority services for elite members.

SAS has also deepened its cooperation with Air France-KLM, broadening reciprocal code placements across long-haul flights and European feeder routes.

This gives Scandinavian travelers alternative routings to the United States via Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol, both of which are major hubs for flights to east and central US cities that are likely to host key World Cup matches.

For supporters, it translates into greater schedule choice and the possibility to tailor travel around match days, fan festivals, or multi-city itineraries.

Record-Breaking Summer 2026 Program Aligns With World Cup Window

In September 2025 SAS announced what it describes as its most extensive summer schedule ever for the 2026 season, the very period in which the World Cup will be staged.

The airline plans a 20 percent increase in seat capacity from Copenhagen and 50 percent more connecting opportunities compared with previous summers, supported by nine new routes and six new destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Although many of the new routes are intra-European or focused on emerging long-haul markets such as Mumbai, the overall effect is to strengthen Copenhagen’s role as a high-frequency hub.

For World Cup travelers, that means more feeder flights from secondary cities in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden into Copenhagen as well as tighter connection windows and better spread of departure times for reaching transatlantic flights.

Increased frequencies on routes such as Toronto and other North American gateways further enhance options for timing arrivals before specific matchdays.

The airline has complemented its summer 2026 expansion with an aggressive build-out of its 2025 summer and 2025–26 winter schedules.

New and extended routes to destinations like Seoul, Toronto, and a range of European cities, coupled with a 40 percent increase in winter seat capacity and significantly higher transfer possibilities at Copenhagen, are expected to keep the hub running at a high level of connectivity well before the first ball is kicked in June 2026.

That continuity will be crucial as fans book travel months in advance and look for reassurance that schedules are stable and resilient.

Scandinavian Fans Face Unprecedented Demand for Seats and Tickets

The push by SAS to organize its network around the World Cup comes against a backdrop of extraordinary global interest in the tournament.

FIFA has reported that ticket requests for 2026 have run into the tens of millions across multiple sales phases, with fans applying from more than 200 countries.

Early data highlights particularly strong demand from traditional football markets in Europe and South America alongside the host nations themselves.

For supporters in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, the implication is clear: while SAS can offer more flight options and smoother connections than ever before, planning early will be essential.

Peak dates around opening matches, marquee group fixtures, and the knockout rounds will coincide with already busy summer travel periods across the Atlantic, potentially driving up fares and compressing availability.

The airline’s expanded capacity is designed to mitigate some of that pressure, but the scale of demand means that late bookers may still face limited choices.

World Cup travelers also have to navigate practical considerations that go beyond flight schedules, including US entry requirements and visa rules, as well as domestic connections onward to Canada and Mexico where applicable.

By booking itineraries on a single ticket via SAS and its SkyTeam partners, fans can at least simplify the air travel component, ensuring that missed connections or schedule changes are handled within one framework instead of across multiple unrelated carriers.

Onboard Experience and Sustainability for Long-Haul Supporters

As the de facto flag carrier for all three Scandinavian countries, SAS has been keen to position itself not only as a convenient choice but also as a comfortable and responsible one for long-haul World Cup travel.

The airline continues to invest in cabin refurbishments, with updated seating and inflight entertainment on many of its widebody aircraft that operate transatlantic services.

Multiple cabin classes allow fans to choose between budget-conscious economy options and premium cabins for those seeking extra comfort on overnight flights before matchdays.

Sustainability remains a central pillar of SAS’s brand, an important factor for Scandinavian travelers who are among the most environmentally conscious in Europe.

The airline has expanded its use of more fuel-efficient aircraft on long-haul routes and offers customers options to offset or reduce their travel emissions through biofuel contributions and related programs.

For supporters planning multi-stop itineraries that combine matches with sightseeing across North America, such measures can help reduce the environmental footprint of what may be one of their longest journeys in years.

On the ground, SAS lounges in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm, along with partner lounges in key North American hubs, give eligible passengers a quieter space to adjust to time zones, follow tournament coverage on screens, and meet fellow fans in transit.

For many supporters, the World Cup experience begins the moment they arrive at the airport, and the airline is expected to lean into that atmosphere with tournament-themed campaigns and services as 2026 approaches.

How SAS Is Coordinating With Travel Trade and Fan Groups

Behind the scenes, SAS is also working with tour operators, travel agencies, and corporate partners across Scandinavia to create bundled offerings that combine match tickets, flights, and accommodation.

While official allocations are managed by FIFA and national associations, the airline’s extensive schedule and alliance partnerships make it a natural backbone for group travel, whether for fan clubs, sponsors, or corporate hospitality programs.

Travel trade insiders note that the Scandinavian market is particularly interested in flexible itineraries that allow fans to attend several matches across different host cities, especially if Norway, Denmark, or Sweden qualify and play in multiple venues.

The combination of SAS-operated long-haul segments and partner flights within North America is expected to support such multi-city trips, allowing, for instance, a fan to fly from Oslo to New York, connect to a match in the US Midwest, then continue on to Canada or Mexico before returning via another gateway.

As detailed ticket allocations, match schedules, and fan-zone plans are finalized over the next year, airlines will be able to refine capacity on specific dates and routes.

SAS’s network planning teams are already using early demand indicators to identify likely peak flows from Scandinavia into particular regions of North America, giving the carrier a head start in aligning aircraft size and frequencies with expected football traffic.

FAQ

Q1: Will SAS offer direct flights from Scandinavia to World Cup host cities?
SAS operates direct long-haul flights from Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm to major North American gateways such as New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Seattle. From these hubs, passengers can connect on partner airlines to reach specific World Cup host cities across the United States and Canada.

Q2: How do SAS’s SkyTeam partnerships help World Cup travelers?
By joining SkyTeam and signing codeshare agreements with partners including Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM, SAS can sell single-ticket itineraries that combine its own flights with partner services. This gives Scandinavian fans seamless one-stop access to a large network of North American destinations, with coordinated baggage handling and frequent flyer benefits.

Q3: When is the best time to book SAS flights for the 2026 World Cup?
Given strong global demand for World Cup tickets and travel, fans are advised to book flights as early as possible once match schedules and personal plans are clear. SAS has already loaded much of its summer 2026 capacity into reservation systems, so early buyers are more likely to find favorable fares and preferred travel dates.

Q4: Can I fly to Mexico on SAS for World Cup matches there?
SAS does not currently operate its own direct flights to Mexico, but its SkyTeam and codeshare partners offer extensive connections from European and US hubs into Mexican cities. Fans can book combined itineraries through SAS that route via hubs such as Paris, Amsterdam, or major US gateways and continue on partner flights to Mexican host cities.

Q5: Which Scandinavian airport will be most important for World Cup travel?
Copenhagen is set to be the primary hub for World Cup-related traffic, thanks to SAS’s decision to concentrate long-haul operations and connecting flows there. However, Oslo and Stockholm will also play significant roles by offering direct transatlantic services and feeding additional passengers into the Copenhagen hub.

Q6: Will SAS increase capacity on North American routes during the tournament?
SAS’s announced summer 2026 program already includes a 20 percent increase in seat capacity out of Copenhagen and more frequencies on key intercontinental routes, including North American services. The airline can further fine-tune aircraft deployment and flight frequencies closer to the event if demand patterns warrant additional capacity.

Q7: Are SAS EuroBonus points valid on World Cup itineraries with partners?
Yes. As part of SkyTeam, SAS EuroBonus members can earn and redeem points on eligible flights operated by partner airlines included on their itinerary, subject to fare class and program rules. This applies to many combined SAS and partner journeys to World Cup host cities.

Q8: How is SAS addressing sustainability for long-haul World Cup travel?
SAS is deploying more fuel-efficient aircraft on long-haul routes, offering biofuel-related options for customers wishing to reduce their travel footprint, and optimizing connections through Copenhagen to minimize unnecessary detours. These measures aim to mitigate emissions while still enabling fans to attend the tournament.

Q9: What happens if my connection is disrupted during peak World Cup travel?
When travel is booked on a single SAS or SAS-partner ticket, passengers benefit from coordinated rebooking and assistance in case of delays or missed connections. The operating and marketing carriers work together to reroute customers to their final destination, which is especially important during busy tournament periods.

Q10: Can travel agencies in Scandinavia package SAS flights with match tickets?
Many travel agencies and tour operators in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden are expected to build packages that include SAS flights along with accommodation and, where available, official match tickets. Fans should work with reputable agents familiar with FIFA’s ticketing rules and SAS’s group travel policies to secure compliant and reliable packages.