Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has placed the largest aircraft order in its history, agreeing to purchase up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft in a deal valued at approximately €8.75 billion ($10 billion). The investment underscores the airline's confidence in its long-term recovery and future growth following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2024.
The agreement, announced during a press conference in Copenhagen on Tuesday, includes a combination of Airbus A330-900 aircraft from the fuel-efficient A330neo family and A330-300 jets. The airline said the order will modernize its long-haul fleet while supporting future network expansion.
Although the deal is valued at more than €8.75 billion based on list prices, aviation industry analysts note that airlines typically receive significant discounts on large aircraft orders.
SAS expects the first deliveries to begin in the early 2030s, with the aircraft gradually replacing older jets while increasing long-haul capacity.
The announcement represents a major milestone in the airline's turnaround strategy. SAS exited U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024 after completing a comprehensive financial restructuring that eliminated billions of dollars in debt, delisted the company from the stock market, and brought in a new ownership group led by Air France-KLM.
As part of its restructuring, SAS also left the Star Alliance network and joined the SkyTeam airline alliance. The carrier returned to operating profitability in 2025, marking a significant improvement after reporting substantial losses in previous years.
The Airbus order follows another major fleet investment announced in 2025, when SAS committed to purchasing 55 Embraer regional aircraft. Together, the investments form the foundation of the airline's long-term fleet renewal strategy.
Airbus Secures Key Competitive Win
The order is also viewed as a significant commercial victory for Airbus, which competed against Boeing for the contract. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft were reportedly considered during the evaluation process.
SAS cited fleet commonality as a key factor behind its decision. Since the airline already operates Airbus A330 aircraft, adding more aircraft from the same family will reduce pilot training requirements, maintenance costs, spare parts inventory, and operational complexity.
The airline noted that the newer A330-900 shares a high degree of commonality with the existing A330-300 fleet, allowing for a smoother integration into operations.
For Airbus, the agreement strengthens its position in the European aviation market as airlines continue replacing older, less fuel-efficient aircraft with next-generation models designed to improve operating efficiency and reduce emissions.
The record aircraft purchase reflects growing confidence in international air travel demand and positions SAS for continued expansion over the coming decade.
