Seattle bekreftet kuttet

[Tommy777]

Dear Tommy Danielsen,

A new stronger SAS – Core SAS
A few days ago, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced a new strategic approach for our future operation. This approach will strengthen our position and profitability, and will provide us with the conditions for enhanced competitiveness and independence.

We are faced with the same major challenges as the rest of the airline industry, and have been severely affected by the current recession. To address the situation a renewed strategic direction is required for securing long-tem competitiveness. We call it – Core SAS. Our market position between the US and Scandinavia and Finland remains strong, particularly in the business segment. Our brand stands for quality, reliability and stability. Below is a brief outline of our revised strategy, which will give a more customer-oriented and efficient SAS.


A simplified SAS that focuses on what we do best
Core SAS involves focusing on what we do best, the core of our operations, so that we become even better at delivering products and services.


A focus on Scandinavia and Finland
We will continue to focus on travel to/from and within Scandinavia/Finland, and divesting companies in the Group that do not belong to our core operations. Some divestments have already occurred, and others will follow.


A focus on business travel
We will intensify and prioritize our focus on business travelers and will continue to listen to their needs to provide them what they require. We will continue to develop our services and tools to minimize travel times and maximize value for our customers.

In the sky, our focus is on offering the most comfortable travel experience exemplified by our Business Sleeper throughout our Business cabin or at a reduced cost, our premium economy service - Economy Extra. On the ground, SAS has always been at the forefront of making time spent before and after flying as smooth and simple as possible. Internet check-in services, SAS Fast Track, self-service check-in machines and use of biometrics are examples of smooth travel solutions. Our state-of-the-art lounges are created with relaxation in mind.

For the individual traveler, an improved EuroBonus program
EuroBonus will continue as our loyalty program. It will continue to be developed to meet and exceed the needs of the individual traveler. During this year, EuroBonus will see the launch of an online reward shop, there will be improved access and information regarding award seats and an expansion of the range of third party agreements will take place.

How will SAS transatlantic network be affected?
Our Seattle to Copenhagen route (SK938/937) will regrettably cease to operate during the Winter 2009/10 program. The timing will be communicated when a final date has been set. We will continue to offer smooth connections from both Seattle and US West Coast via our gateways in Chicago, Newark and Washington DC.


So while we are adjusting our organization to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, we wish to emphasize that our transatlantic routes are an integral part of our new Core SAS strategy. We shall continue to be the airline with the most nonstop flights between the US and Scandinavia. Our cabin offering has three comfort levels; Business, Economy Extra – our premium Economy -, or Economy, it is your choice. We hope that you will continue to support SAS.

On behalf of the SAS USA team, I would like to thank you for your continued loyalty and support.

[Savipix]

Där kom den tyvärr

[FlightDeck]

Sjeldent man ser at nyheter er pakket inn i så mye svada...

[Jarlabanke Vking]

KJIIIIPT! er så lei av at verden har feber!

[jcnorway]

"EuroBonus online reward shop"? Hva skal selges der? SAS nøkkelringer for 10 000 poeng?

[Bizflyer]

Her var det mye selvmotsigelser, gitt! Har SAS ansatt komiske-Ali?

Synd med Seattle ruta! Det var lumpent!!

Litt ekspansjon istedet for å bygge opp selskapet hadde vel vært bedre? Trodde denne ruta gikk med meget godt belegg??

BF

[EB]

Synd med Seattle...en historisk rute som nå forsvinner. Tror noen at den kommer tilbake sommeren 2010? Tror vel at Lufthansa via FRA blir et bedre alternativ enn SAS via ARN/CPH og CHI/EWR...

[Tommy777]

Og mer kutt paa intercont:

Copy of letter from SAS in Asia.

Changes for the China market
The SAS Board has decided to temporarily stop operations on the Beijing-Stockholm direct route starting from 1st May 2009. Removing capacity from our long-haul fleet has been a tough decision, but it is vital to reduce the risk and financial exposure of SAS operating in this downturn with too much capacity. The current market outlook remains challenging, with weakened demand across the board.
However, China is still regarded as one of our most important markets in Asia. We remain positive that the Beijing-Stockholm non-stop route operations will resume in the future so that we can best serve your travel needs.
Our Beijing-Copenhagen route will continue to operate daily with smooth connections to Stockholm and other destinations in Scandinavia and Europe. We offer free connections to 32 domestic destinations in China through our Beijing hub.
The battle in the air will be won on the ground
SAS has always been at the forefront of making your time spent on the ground before and after flights as smooth and simple as possible. Currently, we have online check-in available for you. We are also working on making SMS check-in services available for even smoother solutions. SAS will continue its work on minimizing time and maximizing the value you receive.
Improved EuroBonus program
To our loyal EuroBonus members, we are taking a number of measures to further enhance the program; improving the access to award seats, launching a reward shop and expanding the range of partnerships making it possible for you to earn more points.
If you have questions and/or comments to the above or in general, please do not hesitate to contact anyone from my team or myself.
The SAS Team in China thanks you for your continuous support and wish you a warm welcome onboard your next SAS flight.

[MountainDew]

Det var synd
Har likt å fly med SAS til Seattle. Tror at konkurransen fra Lufhansa ble for sterk og SAS mistet mye transferpax til Tyskland og Sør-Europa.
Legger merke til at SAS ledelsen liker det nye -core navnet!

[Savipix]

China is still regarded as one of our most important markets in Asia

Then why are you cutting Dear SAS?

[Bizflyer]

but it is vital to reduce the risk and financial exposure of SAS operating in this downturn with too much capacity.

Har bare TO ord: FEIGINGER - PYSER!!!

BF

[Hickok]

Originally Posted by Tommy777

How will SAS transatlantic network be affected?
Our Seattle to Copenhagen route (SK938/937) will regrettably cease to operate during the Winter 2009/10 program. The timing will be communicated when a final date has been set. We will continue to offer smooth connections from both Seattle and US West Coast via our gateways in Chicago, Newark and Washington DC.

Smooth connections via EWR og IAD er vel å ta hardt i. Det er vel strengt tatt en skikkelig omvei i forhold til å komme seg til Europa fra vestkysten.

[MountainDew]

Star Alliance Air China fortsetter å fly ARN - BJS men det nevnes ikke i brevet.

[Martin]

Jeg tør påstå at en connection innen europa er hakket smoothere enn styret med bagasje og toll når en kommer til USA.

[JoeW]

Herregud. Trist.

Prøver SK til SEA i may, men alt tyder jo da på at det bli første og siste gang. Trist.

[FlightDeck]

Om SAS skal kutte ut to langdistansefly - det blir vel to A340? - så må vel slike endringer gjøres. Spørsmålet er om det "holder" å kutte CPH-SEA, ARN-PEK og CPH-DEL eller om det kommer enda flere kutt?

Ja, dette er en historisk rute for SAS. I dag ville det vel vært mer hensiktsmessig å fly til SFO om man skal fly til vestkysten.

[A346]

Er dette begynnelsen på slutten på SAS IC? Hvor liten flåte av widebodies kan man ha uten at det blir uforholdsmessig dyrt per enhet i forhold til konkurrenter som LH, BA, AF etc? Fra Norge må man uansett bytte fly, og da kan man like gjerne bytte i FRA, CDG eller LHR som CPH eller ARN, spesielt hvis SAS blir utkonkurrert på pris.

Og jeg som har planlagt tur til SEA i oktober. Sjekket priser senest i ettermiddag, og SAS lå fortsatt inne da.

[Martin]

for meg, var SAS utvilsomt det beste alternativet de to gangene jeg har vær i SEA, med forholdsvis sen avgang, fra en hub de selv har masse connections til. Vurderte også BA sist, og nå vet jeg hvertfall at jeg slipper å lure neste gang

[JoeW]

Hvordan er det med sånn som SN som jeg vil anta har relativt liten IC-flåte - hvor liten er den i forhold?

[FlightDeck]

Husk at Finnair i dag har like stor langdistanseflåte som SAS - med seks MD-11 og fem A340.