Sunday, August 25, 2024 SAS will terminate its partnership with United Airlines’ MileagePlus program and exit the Star Alliance on September 1, 2024. This change means travelers will no longer earn United MileagePlus miles on SAS flights, and Star Alliance benefits like priority boarding, baggage handling, and lounge access will no longer apply. However, United MileagePlus members can still request mileage credits for flights taken on or before August 31 for up to one year.
SAS will also honor United mileage award tickets issued on or before August 31, which will remain valid for one year, allowing for any necessary changes or reissues. The decision to leave Star Alliance is part of SAS’s transition to the SkyTeam alliance, which will also begin on September 1. SkyTeam, which includes major airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, will offer immediate benefits to SAS EuroBonus members, who will be able to earn and redeem miles through the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program.
SAS is entering into codeshare agreements with several SkyTeam airlines, allowing SkyTeam members to earn and redeem miles on SAS flights. Air France-KLM will start codesharing on September 1, while Delta Air Lines is awaiting U.S.
government approval to begin codesharing on certain SAS routes. This strategic shift follows a significant investment by Air France-KLM, which acquired a 19.9% stake in SAS, enabling the airline to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which it filed for in mid-2022 and exited by the spring of 2024.
Analysts view this move positively, noting that it strengthens SkyTeam’s presence in Scandinavia, offering more destination options than Star Alliance member Lufthansa. By joining SkyTeam, SAS becomes the alliance’s 20th member, aligning with other leading airlines, including Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, and more..
