City and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials today welcomed the return of Scandinavian Airlines’ (SAS) nonstop service to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Copenhagen Airport (CPH), the airline’s largest Scandinavian hub. The airline is offering flights six times a week, and will increase that frequency to daily service beginning Mar. 31. This new nonstop route makes LAX one of only two West Coast airports providing nonstop flights to and from Copenhagen. "Los Angeles welcomes the world, and we are thrilled to welcome direct flights from and to a nation often considered as home to the happiest people on the planet. Velkommen til Los Angeles Scandinavian Airlines!" said Joe Buscaino, president Pro Tem and Chair of the Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee, Los Angeles City Council.
"With travel between Los Angeles and Copenhagen growing by an average of 10 percent annually over the last five years, it's a great time for Scandinavian Airlines to relaunch nonstop flights from LAX to Copenhagen," said Justin Erbacci, interim chief executive officer, LAWA. “This service will stimulate new opportunities for international travelers to visit L.A. and for Angelenos to experience the exceptional beauty, art, food, culture and vibrancy of Denmark’s capital city and other destinations in Scandinavia and Northern Europe."
“This new route stemmed from an increase in demand in the North American market and allows us to open a year-round route to Copenhagen from Los Angeles,” says Max Knagge, general manager for Americas, SAS. “Copenhagen is a vibrant destination to explore, and the Copenhagen Airport is a well-connected hub, making Scandinavia even more accessible to the U.S. West Coast market.”
Copenhagen is the top market in Denmark for passenger demand to/from Los Angeles. Last year, about 148,000 passengers traveled between LAX and CPH. SAS last offered nonstop service between LAX and CPH in 1994.
SAS’ service between Los Angeles and Copenhagen will be operated using a combination of Airbus A330 and A340 aircrafts. Beginning in early June, SAS will also use an Airbus A350 for this service. SAS’ A350 is configured to carry 300 passengers, including 40 business-class seats and 32 SAS Plus seats.
Flight times are expected to be 11 hours and 10 minutes to Copenhagen Airport, and 11 hours and 40 minutes on the return flight to LAX. Flights are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as follows (all times local):
- Depart LAX at 2 p.m., arrive CPH at 10:10 a.m.
- Depart CPH at 9:35 p.m., arrive at LAX at 12:15 p.m.
