SAS has marked a major milestone with the launch of its first ever nonstop service between Scandinavia and South Korea, linking Copenhagen directly to Seoul. The inaugural flight departed on September 12, opening a new chapter in the airline’s intercontinental network and strengthening ties between Northern Europe and one of Asia’s most dynamic hubs.
The new Copenhagen–Seoul route will operate four times a week through the fall, before shifting to three weekly flights during the winter season. Demand has already exceeded expectations, with SAS confirming that capacity will increase by 50 percent next summer. From June 2026, travelers can look forward to as many as six weekly flights connecting the Danish capital with South Korea.
Interest in Korea among Scandinavian travelers has surged in recent years, driven by the country’s unique mix of tradition, cutting-edge innovation, and global cultural influence. For Korean visitors, the route opens the door to Scandinavia’s dramatic landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, and smooth onward connections to more than 100 destinations across Europe through SAS’ Copenhagen hub.
“This is an exciting day for SAS and our passengers,” said Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. “With our inaugural flight to Seoul, we are not only responding to strong customer demand but also strengthening the ties between Scandinavia and one of Asia’s most vibrant hubs. Seoul is a global center of culture, innovation, and business, and we are proud to add it to our growing intercontinental network.”
Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, handled 70 million passengers and nearly 3 million tons of freight in 2024. Its role as a key gateway in Asia makes the new connection strategically important for both business and leisure travel.
Flights are scheduled with convenient evening departures, maximizing travelers’ time at their destinations and optimizing onward connections within Europe. The route will be operated by the Airbus A350, one of the most fuel-efficient widebody aircraft in the world, carrying around 300 passengers in comfort.
With the addition of Seoul, SAS now serves 14 intercontinental destinations from Copenhagen, reinforcing the airport’s position as Scandinavia’s leading hub and underlining the airline’s ambition to expand its global footprint.
