New Codeshare Flights Make Long-Haul Travel Easier

By Ivan PetrenkoOct 6, 2025 20:28 PMNews
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Exterior view of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport in the evening
Seamless transfers through Heathrow enhance connections. Source: unsplash

Through an expanded codeshare, SAS now allows travelers to reach additional long-haul destinations in collaboration with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow. Under the agreement, SAS will place its ‘SK’ code on selected Virgin Atlantic flights, covering cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Dubai, and Malé in the Maldives. Bookings for the new flights opened on October 6, with travel starting October 8. Additional destinations are expected to be added soon, extending options for international travelers.

The updated codeshare agreement is intended to increase travel efficiency and make long-haul journeys smoother for passengers. Passengers gain clear advantages from the expanded codeshare due to improvements on key routes:

  • Direct coordination between SAS and Virgin Atlantic flights
  • Optimized transfer times for smoother connections
  • Reduced risk of missed transfers
  • More predictable scheduling for multi-leg journeys
"This expanded codeshare with Virgin Atlantic strengthens SAS’ offering to both business and leisure travelers by opening up more options to popular destinations. By placing our code on Virgin Atlantic flights, we make it easier for our customers to connect seamlessly through London Heathrow and enjoy a smooth travel experience."
Paul Verhagen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAS at SAS

Passengers can now access notable attractions more easily. In Cape Town, visitors can reach Table Mountain. Johannesburg offers the Cradle of Humankind. Travelers heading to Dubai can reach the Burj Khalifa, while those visiting the Maldives can explore Maafushi Island. These four destinations have become more accessible due to coordinated flight schedules, which allows passengers to plan international trips efficiently and include all the key points of interest within their itineraries.

The arrangement also improves planning for multi-destination journeys. Coordinated schedules reduce uncertainties during transfers and allow passengers to manage their trips more effectively. Travelers can now access attractions such as Robben Island in South Africa, Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Veligandu Island in the Maldives, and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town with fewer logistical challenges. This arrangement streamlines transfers, giving travelers more time to explore rather than plan separate legs of their journey.

Boats docked at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town with Table Mountain in the background
New routes link travelers to Cape Town. Source: unsplash

The codeshare expansion provides practical benefits for passengers. It increases available routes, ensures smoother connections through London Heathrow, and simplifies the planning of long-haul travel. The update provides travelers with steadier access to key locations, reducing complications in planning international travel. This change makes journey management easier and connections more predictable for passengers.

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