Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has filed for U.S. government approval to expand codeshare operations with SkyTeam partners Aeromexico and Air France.
In two separate applications submitted to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT), SAS is seeking blanket statements of authorization that would allow it to place its SK code on Aeromexico flights between the U.S. and Mexico, and allow Air France to place its AF code on SAS-operated flights between the U.S. and Scandinavia.
The Aeromexico arrangement would enable SAS to market new one-stop connections between Mexico and Scandinavia via U.S. gateway cities such as Chicago. However, SAS will not market travel solely between the U.S. and Mexico.
“These new codeshare services will create substantial benefits for passengers traveling between Mexico and Scandinavia via U.S. points,” the airlines stated in their joint filing. They added the arrangement would allow for “a more integrated experience for customers” and enable the partners to market a wider range of services.
The application also said that Aeromexico will reciprocally place its AM code on certain SAS-operated flights from European cities to Scandinavian hubs—although that part of the agreement does not require DOT approval.
SAS is also seeking approval to implement its new codeshare agreement with Air France, under which Air France would market SAS-operated flights between the U.S. and cities in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Examples include placing the AF code on nonstop flights such as New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)–Oslo and onward Scandinavian connections.
Both requests come as SAS continues to reshape its network following its move from Star Alliance to join SkyTeam in September 2024, after Air France-KLM acquired an initial 19.9% stake in the airline. In July 2025, Air France-KLM confirmed plans to increase that stake and become SAS’ majority owner.
Since joining the alliance, SAS has expanded its partnerships with SkyTeam members. It launched a codeshare with Delta Air Lines and added new service to Delta’s Atlanta hub last summer. In March, the carrier reinstated flights between Oslo and JFK, and in May it launched a new route from Copenhagen to Seattle.
The five-times-weekly Seattle service—returning to the network after a 15-year hiatus—aligns with Delta’s growing presence at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, its largest West Coast hub.
Meanwhile, United Airlines—along with its joint venture partners Lufthansa Group and Air Canada—has formally asked the DOT to remove SAS from existing antitrust-immunized agreements following SAS’ exit from Star Alliance. Codeshare and loyalty partnerships between SAS and United, Lufthansa and Air Canada were terminated by September 2024.
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