SAS AIRLINES. Photo: Shutterstock SAS announced today (January 29, 2026) a significant expansion of its intercontinental flight network for the winter of 2026-27, with the launch of three new routes from Copenhagen (Denmark) to Dubai (UAE), Phuket (Thailand), and Krabi (Thailand). The move is designed to meet growing demand for destinations in the Middle East and Asia, and strengthen Copenhagen's position as a global hub for Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
The return to Dubai marks a milestone for SAS, with the resumption of operations in the UAE for the first time since 2011. Dubai is considered one of the world's leading international destinations, with a combination of business activity, tourism, culture and leisure, and a warm climate throughout the year.
Dubai. Photo: ShutterstockAt the same time, SAS is significantly expanding its operations to Thailand, with capacity up by more than 75% compared to last winter. The launch of routes to Phuket and Krabi, which will operate as scheduled flights for the first time, makes SAS the only airline to offer direct flights from Copenhagen to these major holiday destinations in Thailand.
The schedules of the new routes have been designed to allow convenient connections to Dubai, as well as efficient connections from various points in Europe to Phuket and Krabi.
The expansion will add two new Airbus A350 aircraft to the airline's fleet as part of its overall fleet acquisition program, leading to a 34% increase in A350 operations across the network. As a result, SAS is increasing capacity on key destinations in North America and Asia.