Premiere for the new SAS cabin on short and medium haul and the first of 30 new Airbus A320neos with lower emissions
SAS new aircraft Airbus A320neo with the new cabin that will be rolled out across the entire SAS fleet of short and medium haul planes makes its debut today. Thanks to new technology, the A320neo is 15% more fuel efficient and than the current A320.
SAS, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, is continuing to strengthen its market offer with an additional 30 modern, more fuel efficient aircraft with lower noise levels, new cabins in the entire fleet and the fastest WiFi on the market. Larger engines and sharklet wingtips make the aircraft 15% more fuel efficient than today's A320. It is the first of 30 new Airbus A320neos that are set to join the SAS fleet. A further three planes will be delivered this year and deliveries will continue on a regular basis to the end of 2019.
New cabins in all aircraft and the fastest WiFi on the market
The Scandinavian design, materials and color scheme in the cabin have been chosen to create a modern, calm and welcoming atmosphere. The new cabins in the short and medium haul fleet will be in the same style as the new cabin installed in all SAS long haul aircraft. Experience the new A320neo here.
“We are delighted to welcome passengers onboard the first of our 30 new Airbus A320neos, that will further contribute to reducing our emissions and climate impact. Many of our customers are frequent flyers and we play an important part in the everyday lives of many people. The new cabin in our long haul aircraft has enjoyed a very positive reception and we are now upgrading our short and medium haul fleet, that will also include super fast WiFi with surfing speeds that enable time onboard to be utilized for work or relaxation by streaming a favorite movie or TV series,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS.
In addition to spacious leg room, new and more comfortable Recaro seats and a new design, the A320neo also includes USB charging ports in all seats plus Airbus mood light, lighting that is regulated in line with the time of day. The color scheme in the new cabin features a gray tone for fabrics such as seat upholstery and carpets, accentuated with blue picked out in details such as stitching and curtains in the forward and aft parts of the cabin.
In addition to 30 new A320neos, all existing cabins will also be upgraded between 2017 and mid 2019. Altogether, the total investment in these aircraft including WiFi and cabin upgrades will amount to around MSEK 500 over a three-year period.
The first aircraft with high speed WiFi, that is enabled by ViaSat satellite technology, will arrive in the second half of 2017. With surfing speeds of 12 mbit per passenger, equivalent to the entire cabin today, SAS customers will be able to use their time onboard to work, surf or enjoy streamed music, movies and TV. Onboard WiFi will be free on short haul flights for all SAS EuroBonus members and SAS Plus ticket holders. You can also become a member onboard.
In addition to 30 new A320neos, SAS has been continually investing in new, more fuel efficient aircraft. Such as the Airbus A330E (Enhanced) from 2015 which means SAS now has a fleet that exclusively comprises next generation aircraft. SAS will also start taking delivery of the new Airbus A350-900 in 2019.
SAS is the first EU airline to take the A320neo into service with the new LEAP-1A engine from CFM. View the Airbus video on the A320neo and fuel efficiency.
About the Airbus A320neo
- 15% more fuel efficient compared to the current A320 (A320ceo)
- 50% reduced noise level
- Range 4,600 km
- Number of seats – 174
- Length 37.6 m
- Wingspan 35.8 m
- Height 11.8 m
- Seat pitch 30”
- Seat recline 3”
- Engine – CFM LEAP1A
- Fuel consumption 0.025 liter per seat/km
The first commercial flights between Stockholm and Copenhagen start today. Deliveries of the SAS A320neo are planned as follows: 11 - 2017, 7 – 2018 and a further 8 – 2019.
For more information, please contact:
SAS pressoffice, phn +46 8 797 2944
SAS, this year turning 70 years, carries more than 28 million passengers annually and is Scandinavia’s leading airline with close to 1000 daily flights to 127 destinations in 36 countries in Scandinavia, Europe, the U.S. and Asia. SAS is a member of Star Alliance™ and can together with 27 partner airlines offer more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,330 destinations around the world in over 192 countries. For more information, visit www.flysas.com
