Want to Know Why SAS Airlines is So Cheap?

With such low ticket prices from Scandinavian Airlines, are you questioning how they are able to? SAS looks cheap, but the answer to those low ticket prices is more than just low prices due to losing money or some magic. Want to know why SAS Airlines is so cheap? The reason it has such low costs is something you will get to know in this article. The airline’s daily operations involve many strategic actions that result in lower operational costs without sacrificing the quality of service provided by the airline. 

With these secrets, you will learn how SAS remains one of the most economical airlines in Europe, while providing travellers with an exceptional experience when flying with them. Once you understand these secrets, your perspective on airfare pricing will completely change! Are you ready to see exactly “how SAS makes this happen and what you must know” when booking your flights? If so, continue reading!

Smart Routes + Perfect Planes = Millions Saved

If you want to know how SAS builds a super-smart network and picks the perfect planes to save millions, then stay with this section:

They Excel In Using the Hub & Spoke Concept

SAS flies nearly every route through its three primary hubs in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. By doing this, it can operate an aircraft carrying passengers from many small ports of origin & destination. An aircraft that is full of passengers results in a much lower per-seat cost.

One Plane Family, Zero Headache

SAS’s fleet consists of either Airbus A320 or an aircraft within that family, for short-haul flights, while their long-haul flights are primarily serviced by the A330 or A350. Since this airline operates only a limited number of aircraft types, it can train its pilots and mechanics only once & then apply that training across all aircraft. The number of different spare parts, tools, and training for an aircraft gets reduced.

Newer Planes Newer Savings

This airline continues to replace older aircraft with new-generation aircraft that consume less fuel. For the majority of airlines, the cost of fuel is their single largest operational expense, and new-generation aircraft can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20%.

Right Plane, Right Route, Every Time

Because of their efficient network and their ability to select the right-sized aircraft for their selected routes, SAS never sends a larger aircraft on an under-utilised route, nor do they send smaller aircraft on over-utilised routes, keeping their expenses to their lowest possible level. This combination of a well-designed network and the ability to choose the right aircraft allows SAS to save millions of dollars per year and to pass those savings on to its customers!

Simplified Maintenance Process

Because all their aircraft are nearly the same age and model, they can perform repairs more quickly and economically. Also, the airline conducts its heavy maintenance inspections at night, allowing its aircraft to keep flying and making money every day.

Fleet Size and Utilization

SAS does not maintain an extreme number of aircraft. Instead, they align their aircraft fleet with the peaks and valleys of travel demand, ensuring that every dollar spent on their jets is put to productive use.

Long-Term Renewal Strategy

It has a selected timetable regarding when to remove an aircraft from service and replace it with a new one. This allows them to keep their fleet’s average age at a very young level & ensures that their fuel costs will remain low for years to come.

Route Planning

By scheduling smarter routes, they take advantage of more cost-effective schedules that others may simply accept. The end result? Lower ticket prices for the customers. You just know how they do it:

• Optimise Shortest, Smartest Route- SAS determines which routes will provide maximum tail winds and minimum headwinds. The ability to cut a few hundred miles off a long-haul flight can save thousands of litres of fuel.
• Match Aircraft Size to Route- Using a large aircraft for a flight with minimal loads is a wasted of capacity. Smaller A320 aircraft operate best on a half-full route. Larger A350 aircraft operate on only full flights. 
• Maximize Aircraft Utilisation- Their aircraft are not parked overnight; that is, from 14 to 12 hours per day. They turn around as quickly as possible and schedule overnight flights. The more hours the aircraft operates, the lower the cost of each seating.
• Flexibility For Seasonal/Day Limits- The airline offers more flights to warm weather destinations during the Summer months while offering reduced flight frequency during Winter months. It may also modify the time of departure for an aircraft by an additional 30 minutes, thus avoiding costly air traffic delays.
• Partnership Selling Options- By being a member of the Star Alliance as well as forming strategic partnerships, SAS can provide its customers with many ticket options on partner flights, as well as sell tickets to its customers for flights operated by SAS. Reduced numbers of empty seats on these partnerships reduce the airline’s operating costs, which in turn allow SAS to maintain low ticket prices for customers.

Choosing Inexpensive Airport Destinations

SAS says “No Thanks” by flying into airports with lower fees, but it still offers a convenient location for passengers. It keeps those savings in their low-cost airfare. So, it doesn’t mean you fly into the middle of nowhere, it just means you’re being smart with your euros. So how does SAS do this without complicating your trip?

• Passion for Secondary Airports- Instead of flying into the very expensive London Heathrow, SAS chooses to fly into London Stansted or Gatwick, which have lower fees. 
• Long-term Partnerships with Smaller Airports- The airline has negotiated favourable long-term agreements with many regional airports. As a result, SAS has offered these airports more passengers at discounted airport fees for years to come.
• Quick Turnaround Time at Low-Cost Airport Facilities- Most of these smaller airports have much less infrastructure than many of the larger airports, which has resulted in quicker turnarounds for planes. 
• Avoiding Extra Peak Charges- There are extra fees associated with flying at peak times (morning and evening) at airports. SAS attempts to schedule its flights just before or after peak periods to avoid paying this fee.
• Cheap Airline (when needed)- On some low-cost tickets, SAS used to route passengers via its now-closed operation that served only secondary, cheap airports. SAS has maintained this way of thinking with many of its routes.

SAS’s Onboard Services

To maintain low prices, their approach of providing only what a traveler requires & nothing else means they don’t have the “all-inclusive” concept. This approach has resulted in millions in savings for SAS from lower operating costs each year.

• SAS Offers Free Coffee and Tea on All Flights- SAS retains its “free” coffee and tea service provided to every passenger on every flight. Customers who travel to/from Scandinavia are well aware of SAS’s attention to customer service and that they have maintained their commitment to providing their customers with Scandinavian hospitality.

• Passengers Only Pay for Food They Want- Instead of giving passengers an expensive, full meal to eat, SAS has taken a different path. If you eat before your departure will save even more. 

• Cheapest Tickets Do Not Include Checked Baggage- The lowest price tickets only allow for one carry-on bag. Passengers can choose to add a checked bag for an additional fee. This allows SAS to keep its base ticket prices low and confirms that its planes depart on time.

• Entertainment Options and Wi-Fi Selection- On short-haul flights, you can take advantage of free streaming content to your mobile device. Long-haul trips offer the option of purchasing high-speed wi-fi if desired; however, there is no requirement for the cost to get covered by all passengers.

Flexible Ticketing Options

By offering different types of tickets for every ticket type within SAS, it keeps ticket prices for all passengers low while also using this method to fill seats on every airplane with affordable base fare prices.

SAS Go Light 

It is what many think of when they think of travelling cheaply. With this option, you get guaranteed a seat, are allowed one small bag that must fit under your seat, and receive complimentary coffee/tea during your flight. But there is no checked baggage, no selection of your seat, and you cannot make ticket changes. In fact, SAS Go Light ticket prices can get 30%-50% less than SAS Go Smart tickets.

SAS Go Smart 

Its prices are still relatively low, but they allow you the ability to check one bag taken with you on your trip. They even allow you to select any available seat at your convenience, and to change your ticket in case your plans change.

SAS Plus 

For those who want fast-track service, access to the SAS lounge, two checked bags, and maximum flexibility, SAS Plus is still generally less expensive than many airlines’ Business Class services.

Partnerships and Alliances

The airline partners with many other airlines to make sure that they continue to offer low fares & full flights. By sharing resources & costs, it saves millions of dollars per year. It still provides customers with the service needed to reach their final destination. 

Star Alliance

It is the largest & most successful airline alliance in the world. There are currently 26 airline members of the Star Alliance, which allows SAS to sell tickets for flights operated by such airlines. Its airline partners are able to sell tickets for SAS-operated flights, producing more sales and ultimately leading to lower fares for their customers through the utilization of the same aircraft.

Codeshare Flights 

Codeshare agreements allow airlines to get more use out of their aircraft by allowing one airline’s aircraft to get marketed by other airlines. Therefore, on certain routes, a passenger may purchase a SAS ticket but will actually be flying on the aircraft of another airline. The two airlines share the airline costs and revenue. This type of arrangement helps fill empty seats on an aircraft that would have flown with a very low occupancy rate. 

Joint Use of Lounges, Staff, & Facilities

Airlines collaborate to share costly amenities such as lounges, baggage service, and maintenance service locations. The airline pays only part of the bill, while the partner airlines pay the rest of the cost.

Cost Savings Through Bulk Purchasing of Fuel

It benefits from having access to high-volume discounts on fuel through the collective purchasing power of 26 airline partners. Although SAS is smaller than the larger airlines, it pays the same low fuel price as they do.

Final Thoughts

The answer to the question, Why is SAS Airlines so cheap is revealed! By implementing strategies, including smart cost management, utilizing new generation aircraft, designing routes that save money, etc., this airline keeps fares low with the same level of commitment to safety and reliability as any other airline. This means anyone can travel for less than what it would cost to buy a cup of coffee. The next time you see a fantastic SAS deal, you should not hesitate; you will be getting an excellent value for your hard-earned dollars. Travel safe and enjoy your experience.

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