70th anniversary of SAS becoming the world’s first airline to fly over the Polar Regions

Seventy years have passed since SAS made aviation history on November 15, 1954, by becoming the world’s first airline to operate a commercial flight over the North Pole. The pioneering flight from Copenhagen to Los Angeles not only significantly reduced flying time and lowered fuel consumption, but also established the most efficient link between Europe and the USA.

November 15, 2024, marks the 70th anniversary of the historic achievement that made SAS a symbol of Scandinavian innovation and advanced technology.  By operating flights over the Polar Regions, SAS transformed how North America connects to Scandinavia, to Europe, and beyond, with Copenhagen emerging as a key hub.

The flight distance was reduced by thousands of kilometers, which in turn considerably lowered fuel consumption. Today, we call it sustainability, and it is at the very core of SAS. SAS is committed to driving the important transformation of the aviation industry in close collaboration with partners, customers, and governments, continuously seeking innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact and pave the way for a more sustainable future in aviation.

“SAS’s introduction of the Polar Route marked a landmark moment in global travel, enhancing economic ties, tourism, and cultural exchange by making the world more accessible. This legacy endures as SAS continues to drive innovation and connect people worldwide, with Copenhagen still at the heart of our global network”, says SAS’ President and CEO Anko van der Werff.

It took four years of hard work and inventive minds to figure out how to successfully operate the flights. Even then, safety was a top priority. Given the harsh Arctic climate, passengers were provided with snowsuits, and onboard was a manual on how to survive in the Arctic.

Since its very first flight, SAS has continued operating from Copenhagen to Los Angeles.

To honor this history, today’s Copenhagen–Los Angeles flight at 13.20 will offer passengers special touches that commemorate the 1954 journey, taking them back to the origins of SAS’s Polar Route.