SAS Braathens
Encyclopedia
SAS Braathens was the name of Norway
's largest airline, created by a merger between Scandinavian Airlines' Norwegian division and Braathens
in 2004. On June 1, 2007, the airline was integrated into mainline SAS, and changed its name to SAS Scandinavian Airlines Norge. The airline operated from its hub at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
, and was also the largest national branch of Scandinavian Airlines. SAS Braathens had its head office in Diamanten
on the grounds of Fornebu Airport in Fornebu
, Bærum
, Norway.
SAS Braathens was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) Group and was established in the spring of 2004, based on SAS Norway and Braathens. SAS Braathens operated routes in Norway, and also between Norway and the rest of Europe. The airline was the largest in Norway, and had 440 departures daily. SAS Braathens carried around 9 million passengers in 2006. Profit for the first half of 2005 came to NOK 206 million.
SAS Braathens had a route network covering 40 destinations from Longyearbyen
in the north to Las Palmas
in the south. The route network was operated by a total of 57 aircraft: 51 Boeing 737
s and 6 Fokker 50s. Through its parent Scandinavian Airlines, SAS Braathens was a member of the global Star Alliance
network. Since it was established in April 2004, SAS Braathens has created or announced a total of 18 new international routes. Around 3,750 employees work for the airline, which is based in Fornebu
, close to Oslo
.
. Alitalia
was supposed to also join that alliance, but later decided not to. Braathens also dropped the SAFE from their name, and the company was known as Braathens until 2004. In 2001, after tough economic times, Braathens was bought by the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), although they were able to keep operating under their name until SAS Braathens became operative 1 April 2005.
By 2007 the airline was one of Norway's most prominent companies, but the lack of reliability caused by the number of cancelled and delayed flights has put the airline at the bottom of 140 Norwegian companies ranked by consumer confidence. The April 2006 strike benefitted SAS Braathens' main competitor, Norwegian Air Shuttle
.
SAS Braathens CEO Petter Jansen
was forced to leave office in June 2006 after disputes with the SAS management in Stockholm, causing much controversy and debate in Norway, since Petter Jensen was leading the only national branch of Scandinavian Airlines that made a profit.
However, in 2007 the airline was rebranded as SAS Norge.
As of June 1, 2007 SAS Braathens served 46 destinations, 17 domestic and 29 European destinations.
Economy Class
Economy Extra
Economy Extra
Business
frequent flyer program they also had a membership club (shared with SAS) for Scandinavians living abroad called Fly Home Club.
on the grounds of Fornebu Airport in Fornebu
, Bærum
, Norway. Ironically, in 2010, the main competitor of SAS Braathens, Norwegian Air Shuttle
, bought the former Braathens head office at Fornebu Airport.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
's largest airline, created by a merger between Scandinavian Airlines' Norwegian division and Braathens
Braathens
Braathens ASA, until 1997 Braathens South American & Far East Airtransport A/S and trading as Braathens SAFE, is a former Norwegian airline that operated from 1946 until it merged with Scandinavian Airlines Norway to become SAS Braathens in 2004. The airline was based in Oslo, first at Fornebu,...
in 2004. On June 1, 2007, the airline was integrated into mainline SAS, and changed its name to SAS Scandinavian Airlines Norge. The airline operated from its hub at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the principal airport serving Oslo, Norway. It acts as the main domestic hub and international airport for Norway, and the second-busiest airport in the Nordic countries. A hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and a focus city for Widerøe, it is...
, and was also the largest national branch of Scandinavian Airlines. SAS Braathens had its head office in Diamanten
Diamanten
Diamanten or Oksenøyveien 3 is an office building located at Fornebu in Bærum, Norway. It was built in 1985 as the head office of the airline Braathens SAFE, and later became the head office of SAS Braathens. From 1 April 2010, it is the head office of Norwegian Air Shuttle.-Facilities:The...
on the grounds of Fornebu Airport in Fornebu
Fornebu
Fornebu is a peninsular area in the suburban municipality of Bærum in Norway, bordering western parts of Oslo.Oslo Airport, Fornebu served as the main airport for Oslo and the country since before WWII and until the evening of October 7, 1998, when it was closed down...
, Bærum
Bærum
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sandvika. Bærum was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. A suburb of Oslo, Bærum is located on the west coast of the city....
, Norway.
SAS Braathens was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) Group and was established in the spring of 2004, based on SAS Norway and Braathens. SAS Braathens operated routes in Norway, and also between Norway and the rest of Europe. The airline was the largest in Norway, and had 440 departures daily. SAS Braathens carried around 9 million passengers in 2006. Profit for the first half of 2005 came to NOK 206 million.
SAS Braathens had a route network covering 40 destinations from Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the largest settlement and the administrative centre of Svalbard, Norway. It is located on the western coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, on the southern side on Adventfjorden , which continues inland with Adventdalen...
in the north to Las Palmas
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria commonly known as Las Palmas is the political capital, jointly with Santa Cruz, the most populous city in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the ninth largest city in Spain, with a population of 383,308 in 2010. Nearly half of the people of the island...
in the south. The route network was operated by a total of 57 aircraft: 51 Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
s and 6 Fokker 50s. Through its parent Scandinavian Airlines, SAS Braathens was a member of the global Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
network. Since it was established in April 2004, SAS Braathens has created or announced a total of 18 new international routes. Around 3,750 employees work for the airline, which is based in Fornebu
Fornebu
Fornebu is a peninsular area in the suburban municipality of Bærum in Norway, bordering western parts of Oslo.Oslo Airport, Fornebu served as the main airport for Oslo and the country since before WWII and until the evening of October 7, 1998, when it was closed down...
, close to Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
.
History
Scandinavian Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines was founded on 1 August 1946 when the flag carriers of Denmark, Sweden and Norway formed a partnership to handle intercontinental traffic to Scandinavia. Operations started on 17 September 1946. Det Norske Luftfartselskab (DNL) is the former Norwegian flag carrier which was founded in 1927. The companies embarked on coordination of European operations in 1948 and finally merged to form the current SAS Consortium in 1951. Upon foundation the airline was divided between SAS Danmark (28.6%), SAS Norge (28.6%) and SAS Sweden (42.8%), all owned 50% by private investors and 50% by their respective governments. SAS gradually acquired control of the domestic markets in all three countries by acquiring full or partial control of several local airlines. The ownership structure of SAS was changed in June 2001, with a holding company being created in which the holdings of the governments changed to Sweden (21.4%), Norway (14.3%) and Denmark (14.3%) and the remaining 50% publicly held and traded on the stock market.Braathens
Braathens was founded on March 26, 1946. For many years, Braathens was known as Braathens S.A.F.E, the latter part being an acronym standing for South American and Far East, for the destinations Braathens originally served. The company was founded by Norwegian ship owner Ludvig G. Braathen, with the intention of serving his ships in other parts of the world. In 2001 Braathens formed an alliance with KLM and Northwest AirlinesNorthwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
. Alitalia
Alitalia
Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier...
was supposed to also join that alliance, but later decided not to. Braathens also dropped the SAFE from their name, and the company was known as Braathens until 2004. In 2001, after tough economic times, Braathens was bought by the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), although they were able to keep operating under their name until SAS Braathens became operative 1 April 2005.
SAS Braathens
The first months of 2006 were marked by conflict, and ill pilots caused several flights to be cancelled. Negotiations between cabin personnel and management failed on 6 April, leading to a strike grounding most of the flights, though a deal between management and the unions ended the strike on April 8.By 2007 the airline was one of Norway's most prominent companies, but the lack of reliability caused by the number of cancelled and delayed flights has put the airline at the bottom of 140 Norwegian companies ranked by consumer confidence. The April 2006 strike benefitted SAS Braathens' main competitor, Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA , trading as Norwegian, is the second-largest airline in Scandinavia. In 2010, it transported 13.0 million people. As of October 2011, Norwegian operates a total fleet of 62 aircraft; 17 Boeing 737-300s and 45 Boeing 737-800s...
.
SAS Braathens CEO Petter Jansen
Petter Jansen
Petter Jansen is a Norwegian businessperson and CEO of Norwegian Property. He is educated in the Norwegian military and the Swedish military as well as from Östersund Business School and an executive program at London Business School...
was forced to leave office in June 2006 after disputes with the SAS management in Stockholm, causing much controversy and debate in Norway, since Petter Jensen was leading the only national branch of Scandinavian Airlines that made a profit.
However, in 2007 the airline was rebranded as SAS Norge.
Flight codes
All SAS Braathens flight were operated with the IATA code BU, but all of the SAS Braathens flights were sold and screened at airports as SK flights.Destinations
Fleet
The SAS Braathens fleet included the following aircraft as of June 2007:| Image | Aircraft | Number | Orders | Passengers | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-400 Boeing 737 Classic The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new... |
4 | 0 | 150 | Short to medium range | ||
| Boeing 737-500 Boeing 737 Classic The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new... |
11 | 0 | 112 | Scandinavian | Leased from SAS Scandinavian Airlines | |
| Boeing 737-600 Boeing 737 Next Generation The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners... |
11 | 0 | 112 | Scandinavian | Leased from SAS Scandinavian Airlines | |
| Boeing 737-700 Boeing 737 Next Generation The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners... |
15 | 2 | 131-134 | Short to medium range | ||
| — | Boeing 737-800 Boeing 737 Next Generation The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners... |
9 | 0 | 150-179 | Medium range/High density | 1 in Star Alliance Star Alliance Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines... scheme 3 leased from SAS Scandinavain Airlines |
| Fokker 50 | 6 | 0 | 50 | Norwegian domestic |
Cabin
SAS Braathens operated with three classes on the European business destinations and with two classes on leisure destinations. In April 2007 SAS Braathens upgraded its Economy Extra and Business class. In Economy class they introduced the new buy on board concept "Cloudshop".Domestic
One class- Breakfast is served free, after 9am sandwiches and drinks are available for purchase from the "CloudShop".
Intra-Scandinavia
- Passenger booked with a Business class ticket travels in Economy Extra on Intra-Scandinavian flights.
Economy Class
- breakfast, sandwiches and drinks are available for purchase from the "CloudShop".
Economy Extra
- fast-track at the Security at some European airports, a three-course cold meal or cold breakfast
Europe
Economy Class- Breakfast, sandwiches and drinks are available for purchase from the "CloudShop".
Economy Extra
- fast-track at security at some European airport, a three-course cold meal or cold breakfast.
Business
- fast-track at security at some European airport and access to lounges. Free center seat. Complimentary magazines and destination newspapers are distributed in the cabin. Cocktails and cold snacks are served before meal, a three-course hot meal or hot breakfast, on flights shorter than 1h 40 min a cold meal is served. After the meal dessert, coffee/tea and avec are served separate. Before landing a give-away is handed out (eg. Valrhona chocolate).
Euro Bonus
SAS Braathens used the SAS EuroBonusEuroBonus
EuroBonus is the frequent flyer program of four European airlines of SAS Group. It was launched by Scandinavian Airlines System in 1992.-SAS Group - EuroBonus:* Blue1 * Scandinavian Airlines System * Widerøe...
frequent flyer program they also had a membership club (shared with SAS) for Scandinavians living abroad called Fly Home Club.
Head office
SAS Braathens had its head office in DiamantenDiamanten
Diamanten or Oksenøyveien 3 is an office building located at Fornebu in Bærum, Norway. It was built in 1985 as the head office of the airline Braathens SAFE, and later became the head office of SAS Braathens. From 1 April 2010, it is the head office of Norwegian Air Shuttle.-Facilities:The...
on the grounds of Fornebu Airport in Fornebu
Fornebu
Fornebu is a peninsular area in the suburban municipality of Bærum in Norway, bordering western parts of Oslo.Oslo Airport, Fornebu served as the main airport for Oslo and the country since before WWII and until the evening of October 7, 1998, when it was closed down...
, Bærum
Bærum
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sandvika. Bærum was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. A suburb of Oslo, Bærum is located on the west coast of the city....
, Norway. Ironically, in 2010, the main competitor of SAS Braathens, Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA , trading as Norwegian, is the second-largest airline in Scandinavia. In 2010, it transported 13.0 million people. As of October 2011, Norwegian operates a total fleet of 62 aircraft; 17 Boeing 737-300s and 45 Boeing 737-800s...
, bought the former Braathens head office at Fornebu Airport.