UAE-Europe travel: SAS announces to launch new Dubai-Copenhagen flight after 15 years
Phuket and Krabi added as Thailand capacity rises sharply this winter
DUBAI – Scandinavian Airlines is set to strengthen UAE-Europe connectivity with the launch of a new direct route linking Dubai and Copenhagen, marking the airline’s return to the UAE after a 15-year absence.
The new service places Dubai firmly at the centre of SAS’ expanded winter network, offering daily nonstop flights between the emirate and Scandinavia. The move also coincides with a wider long-haul expansion that includes new services to Thailand.
The airline will resume operations to the UAE for the first time since 2011, when flights take off as part of its Winter 2026/27 schedule. Services will operate daily between Copenhagen Airport and Dubai World Central, also known as Al Maktoum International Airport, reinforcing Dubai’s growing role as a major international aviation hub.
Route launch
Flights are scheduled to begin on October 25, 2026, and will continue through March 27, 2027. The route will be operated by an Airbus A320neo, with departures from Copenhagen at 11.45pm, arriving in Dubai at 9.15am the following day. Return flights will depart Dubai at 11am and land in Copenhagen at 3.20pm. All timings are local.
We’re expanding our longhaul network for Winter 2026/27! Fly direct from Copenhagen to Dubai (daily) and Phuket & Krabi (2–3x weekly). Dubai returns for the first time since 2011, and Thailand gets brand-new nonstop connections.
— SAS - Scandinavian Airlines (@SAS) January 29, 2026
▶️ https://t.co/khSV3GQgxi pic.twitter.com/ljsOjQUil8
SAS described the relaunch as a key milestone in its long-haul development, citing Dubai’s position as a global centre for business, tourism, and innovation. The airline highlighted the city’s established reputation for world-class hospitality, a diverse cultural offering, and year-round warm weather as major factors driving demand for the route.
Dubai-Copenhagen flight
For Dubai-based travellers, the service provides direct access to Copenhagen, a city known for its historic waterfront at Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, and strong connections to the wider Nordic region. For Scandinavian passengers, the route offers a convenient winter escape to the UAE, supporting Dubai’s tourism sector during peak travel months.
The Dubai service forms part of a broader intercontinental expansion for Winter 2026/27, with SAS introducing three new long-haul routes from Copenhagen to Dubai, Phuket, and Krabi. The additions are designed to respond to rising demand for travel to the Middle East and Asia, while further strengthening Copenhagen’s role as a key gateway for Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Alongside Dubai, Thailand receives a significant capacity boost. SAS will increase its Thailand offering by more than 75 percent compared with the previous winter season. The introduction of Phuket and Krabi marks the first time the airline has offered scheduled nonstop services to these destinations.
With these launches, SAS becomes the only airline providing direct flights from Copenhagen to some of Thailand’s most popular leisure markets. The routes have been scheduled to ensure efficient connections for passengers travelling between Europe, Dubai, and Southeast Asia.
Thailand expansion
Phuket services will operate two to three times weekly from December 9, 2026, to March 29, 2027, using Airbus A350 aircraft. Krabi flights will run twice weekly from December 8, 2026, until March 28, 2027, also operated by the A350. The increased use of wide-body aircraft allows SAS to expand capacity while maintaining long-haul comfort standards.
Paul Verhagen, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at SAS, said re-establishing operations in Dubai was a strategic move for the airline, while the addition of Phuket and Krabi broadened its leisure offering in Asia. He noted that the combined expansion enhances travel choices for both business and leisure passengers across the network.
Fleet growth
The winter schedule is supported by the delivery of two additional Airbus A350 aircraft, enabling a 34 percent increase in A350 operations across the network. This expansion allows SAS to scale up long-haul services across multiple regions.
Capacity will rise across several major destinations, including a 70 percent increase to Boston, 20 percent more seats to San Francisco, and a 10 percent increase to Chicago. In Asia, growth includes more than 50 percent additional capacity to Seoul, 40 percent to Tokyo Haneda, and 15 percent to Bangkok, alongside the new Thailand routes.
SAS has also pointed to improved operational performance as a foundation for the expanded schedule. Over the past year, the airline has been recognised as the world’s most punctual carrier during several months, reflecting progress in operational reliability as its long-haul network continues to grow.