It's easier (and cheaper) than ever to get to Northern Europe as travelers can now book Delta flights across the pond with connections on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).
On Sept. 1, SAS will officially join the SkyTeam Alliance, the same airline alliance to which carriers like Delta, Air France/KLM, and Virgin Atlantic belong. But you can already book itineraries flying Delta, Air France, or KLM to Europe and connecting onward to Northern Europe on SAS or through Delta's website or app – and for great fares in many cases, too.
Many of these itineraries we've noticed so far are connecting in London (LHR) and flying up to Northern European hubs like Oslo (OSL). And even though there's an SAS flight on the itinerary (and KLM on the return), you can book it through Delta like any other SkyTeam fare.
Plus, you can book all of SAS's fare types, including premium economy (what we think might be the best deal in the sky) and business class.
The same goes for other Delta hubs like Salt Lake City (SLC), where a similar connection in London is available. As of now, these connections are available starting Nov. 4.
Notably, this flight includes an SAS Connect flight, meaning even SAS's non-mainline partner flights are bookable with Delta, too. Some fares we've noticed are bookable with other SkyTeam partners like Air France and KLM, too.
While it's a small step, it's meaningful. Eventually, travelers will be able to book most or all of SAS's fares through Delta, earning valuable Medallion Qualifying Dollars toward Delta Medallion status, too.
For now, however, long-haul SAS flights across the Atlantic and standalone SAS flights within Europe are not bookable through Delta yet.
For now, you'll have to fly these SAS flights booked with SAS and then go through Delta to credit those flights to earn MQDs after you fly them. Hopefully, those details will be ironed out shortly after the partnership becomes official.
Bottom Line
Itineraries with SAS flights are now bookable with Delta as the carrier is set to join the SkyTeam alliance on Sept. 1.
While not all of its flights – and notably not its long-haul transatlantic flights – are bookable through SkyTeam partners yet, many of those wrinkles should be smoothed out come September.