Air France-KLM, SAS expand U.S. codeshare network

Published on Sep 24, 2025, 3:53 pm CDT

6 min read

Air France-KLM and Scandinavian Airlines widened their commercial partnership on September 23, 2025, adding Air France's code to SAS nonstop transatlantic flights from Scandinavia to the United States. The move layers more connectivity on top of reciprocal cooperation launched in 2024, and it follows SAS's entry into the SkyTeam alliance on September 1, 2024. The carriers said bookings are open through their sales channels, with loyalty earning, redemption, and status credit available across the enlarged network. The expansion lands as Air France-KLM pursues majority control of SAS, a deal targeted to close in the second half of 2026 pending approvals.

Key Points

Why it matters: More one-ticket options and mileage earning across new transatlantic flights linking Scandinavia and major U.S. hubs.
Travel impact: Air France's code now sits on SAS nonstop routes from Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo to 11 U.S. airports.
What's next: Deeper SkyTeam alliance coordination, plus potential schedule and product alignment if Air France-KLM's SAS takeover proceeds.
Loyalty: Flying Blue miles, XP, and reward seats available on eligible SAS flights, subject to availability.
Sales: Tickets sold via the airlines' usual channels, including corporate booking tools and TMCs.

Snapshot

The enlarged Air France-KLM SAS codeshare now covers SAS-operated transatlantic flights from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Miami International Airport (MIA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). It also spans Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) to EWR and MIA, plus Oslo Airport (OSL) to EWR and JFK. Customers can earn Flying Blue miles and XP, and redeem for reward seats, when booking the expanded set of transatlantic flights. The carriers frame the move as a step toward tighter cooperation within the SkyTeam alliance, timed ahead of Air France-KLM's planned majority ownership of SAS.

Background

Air France-KLM and SAS began codesharing in 2024 as SAS prepared to exit Star Alliance and join the SkyTeam alliance on September 1, 2024. That first phase covered long-haul services from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol, plus a broad European network. Reciprocal loyalty benefits went live alongside the alliance switch, enabling Flying Blue and EuroBonus members to earn and redeem across participating flights. On July 4, 2025, Air France-KLM announced proceedings to lift its stake in SAS from 19.9 percent to 60.5 percent, with closing aimed for the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory clearance. For context on that ownership plan, see our prior coverage, Air France-KLM Bids for Majority Control of SAS. Today's expansion places Air France's code on SAS transatlantic flights from key Scandinavian hubs, adding scale to SkyTeam connectivity and giving travelers more one-stop options between the Nordics and the United States.

Latest Developments

Air France-KLM SAS codeshare routes from Scandinavia

Under the latest expansion, Air France adds its code to SAS nonstop transatlantic flights from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to ATL, BOS, ORD, LAX, MIA, EWR, JFK, SFO, SEA, and IAD. Additional city pairs include Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) to EWR and MIA, and Oslo Airport (OSL) to EWR and JFK. The carriers say tickets are available through all sales channels and that Flying Blue members can earn miles and XP on eligible itineraries, with reward seats accessible when available. For travelers, the practical win is easier end-to-end booking on one ticket, aligned schedules, and consistent recognition within the SkyTeam alliance. For corporate programs, the broadened codeshare simplifies policy compliance and reporting across mixed-metal trips, particularly on transatlantic flights that begin or end outside Paris or Amsterdam.

Loyalty alignment and sales access

Flying Blue accrual and XP credit apply on the new codeshare sectors when booked under eligible fare classes, and SAS-operated flights are available for Flying Blue reward tickets subject to seat controls. The partners emphasize seamlessness across check-in, through-checked baggage, and irregular operations, which is especially valuable on longer transatlantic flights with connections. Bookings are available via the airlines' websites, agency systems, and corporate tools. The expansion also complements existing SkyTeam alliance benefits across lounges and priority services, with more harmonization possible as Air France-KLM's planned majority stake advances toward closing.

Analysis

Strategically, this expansion tightens the Air France-KLM and SAS mesh across the North Atlantic, where connectivity and corporate relevance hinge on schedule breadth and alliance depth. By placing Air France's code on SAS departures from Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, the group pushes more itineraries into one-ticket visibility for agencies, corporate portals, and metasearch, reducing friction and widening choice. It also extends SkyTeam alliance coverage in northern Europe, complementing the group's strength at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol with a robust Nordic gateway at Copenhagen.

For frequent flyers, doubling down on transatlantic flights with consistent Flying Blue earning, XP credit, and reward access makes the combined network stickier. Travelers who value schedule flexibility now get parallel options into both New York airports, into Washington Dulles, and into West Coast hubs like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. That breadth improves connection building on both sides of the ocean. From a competitive lens, the move counters Star and oneworld flows touching northern Europe, while setting the table for deeper integration if regulators approve Air France-KLM's majority takeover of SAS in 2026.

Risks remain. Regulators may scrutinize slot concentrations at large hubs, and labor or fleet-allocation constraints could limit quick growth. Still, the operational logic is clear. Build denser, more legible schedules within the SkyTeam alliance, then convert the added convenience into corporate share and loyalty retention on transatlantic flights.

Final Thoughts

The Air France-KLM SAS codeshare expansion is a network-building play with immediate benefits and longer-term strategic upside. It improves shopping visibility, widens loyalty earning and reward options, and strengthens SkyTeam alliance coverage between the Nordics and the United States. If Air France-KLM's majority-stake plan clears regulators on the stated 2026 timeline, expect further timetable and product alignment that makes Copenhagen an even stronger northern gateway. For now, the new city pairs give you more one-ticket paths across the Atlantic and more ways to use, and earn, Flying Blue on transatlantic flights tied to Scandinavia.