COPENHAGEN- Scandinavian Airlines or SAS (SK) launches its inaugural participation in The Aviation Challenge (TAC) with a historic polar flight from Copenhagen (CPH)-to Los Angeles (LAX), departing October 24 at 12:10 PM.
This route commemorates SAS’s groundbreaking 1954 North Pole crossing, which pioneered fuel-efficient transatlantic travel.
SAS Polar Flight to Los Angeles
According to Flight Radar 24 data, SAS Flight SK931 took off from Copenhagen (CPH) at 12:23 PM local time and will land in Los Angeles at 1:58 PM local time.
The airline deployed the Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered as SE-RSF, which is 3.5 years old and is powered by Rolls Royce TrentXWB.
The SkyTeam-sponsored challenge showcases operational excellence and sustainability initiatives across member airlines.
SAS’s participation reinforces its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through fleet modernization, resource optimization, and the implementation of sustainable aviation fuel.
The airline’s historic polar route achievement revolutionized intercontinental travel, reducing fuel consumption and emissions through shorter flight paths. This innovation parallels modern sustainability efforts, demonstrating SAS’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility.
SAS implements comprehensive sustainability measures including food waste reduction, route optimization, and partnerships advancing sustainable aviation fuel development. The airline actively pursues electric aircraft technology to accelerate industry transformation.
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Executive Remarks
Anko van der Werff, president and CEO of SAS said, “We made SAStainability history today, with our first-ever participation in The Aviation Challenge, presented by SkyTeam.”
“I was stopped by a customer who had submitted sustainable ideas for today’s flight. He asked me when we would roll them out, and many more from the thousands we received,” added the CEO.
He further said, “Sustainability has always been in our DNA, and today we pushed ourselves even further. But indeed our focus is now on what we can learn from The Aviation Challenge – from our flight and from our SkyTeam partner airlines – and how quickly we can roll out winning ideas to help ensure a more sustainable future.”
Finally, he thanked everyone involved in operating this historic flight. He said, “A big thank you to everyone who helped with The Aviation Challenge – our internal teams at SAS, our many partners, Copenhagen Airports A/S, Los Angeles World Airports, and everyone in between.”
Mads Brandstrup Nielsen, SAS Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs, confirms the Copenhagen-Los Angeles flight demonstrates advanced operational efficiency measures. The airline optimizes flight parameters to minimize environmental impact across all operational aspects.
Sustainable Approach
SAS implements cross-divisional collaboration between flight operations, cargo, ground services, and maintenance teams to enhance sustainability outcomes. This integrated approach strengthens the airline’s environmental initiatives through coordinated operational improvements.
The Aviation Challenge participation showcases SAS’s practical sustainability innovations while advancing industry-wide environmental solutions. The airline’s strategic focus combines immediate operational improvements with long-term sustainability goals.
SAS maintains its trajectory toward net-zero emissions by 2050 through systematic operational changes and technological advancements. The airline’s current innovations establish foundational practices for sustainable aviation development.
Earlier, KLM (KL) operated a SkyTeam Aviation Challenge flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Singapore (SIN), testing multiple environmental impact reduction measures.
The Aviation Challenge evolves from the 1934 World’s Greatest Air Race concept. Modern iterations focus on environmental sustainability rather than traditional speed and distance records.
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