SAS has been named “European Airline of the Year 2026” at the Grand Travel Awards. The award is regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the Norwegian travel industry and is based on votes from employees in travel agencies and other travel trade professionals. The Grand Travel Awards has been held annually since 1995, and winners are chosen by the industry itself.
SAS was selected from a strong field of nominated airlines, including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Icelandair, LOT Polish Airlines and Finnair.
“This award is a true tribute to the dedication, professionalism and resilience shown by our colleagues across the entire organisation,” says Edward Fotheringham, VP Global Sales at SAS. “Over the past few years, we have rebuilt our company step by step – improving reliability, strengthening our product and putting our customers firmly back at the centre of everything we do. Being named European Airline of the Year shows that the industry recognises both our progress and our direction. And while we are incredibly proud today, we also know that there is much more to come.”
More than 300 guests from across the travel industry attended the award ceremony in Oslo, organised by Travel News. The awards reflect the preferences of customers and partners within both leisure and business travel.
The recognition reflects SAS’ progress in its ongoing transformation. Punctuality has improved significantly, and customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Score continue to rise strongly. The customer offering has also been strengthened through the return of Business Class, expanded lounge access, the launch of several new routes, and the upcoming installation of free high-speed, low-latency WiFi across the entire fleet, powered by Starlink.
SAS was represented at the ceremony by Edward Fotheringham, VP Global Sales, Head of Press Øystein Schmidt and Bjørn Erik Barman-Jenssen, VP Ground ARN & OSL.
For more information, please contact:
SAS Press Office: +46 8 797 2944
SAS, Scandinavia’s leading airline since 1946, operates a global hub at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), complemented by hubs in Oslo (OSL) and Stockholm (ARN).
Our mission is to connect Scandinavia with the world and the world with Scandinavia. Each year, SAS serves more than 25 million passengers and transports 60,000 tons of cargo to 135 destinations across Europe, the USA, and Asia. With a relentless focus on operational excellence, SAS ranks as one of the most punctual airlines in Europe and the world. Together with a passionate workforce of over 10,000 colleagues, we collaborate with partners and customers to drive transformative changes in aviation. We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, embodying the visionary spirit of our founders: “To move from the old to what is about to come, is the only tradition worth keeping.” Innovation and societal progress are at the heart of everything we do.
SAS joined SkyTeam in September 2024, and together with our partner airlines, we offer a wide network worldwide.
For more information, visit our website at www.flysas.com or follow us on social media for the latest updates and promotions.
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