Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) marked the end of an era as it operated its final scheduled Boeing 737 flight on Sunday evening. The special farewell flight – aptly numbered SK737 – departed Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) and landed at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL), with a deviation from the usual flight plan to over-fly the company’s Copenhagen base.
The Boeing 737 has been a cornerstone of SAS’s fleet since 1989, operating the -400, -500, -600, -700, and -800 variants of the world’s most widely produced aircraft. SAS’s long history with the Boeing jet even included a short stint of flying a 737-700 from Norway to Houston starting in 2014.
SAS’s decision to retire the Boeing 737 is part of its fleet modernization program, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The airline will transition to more fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft, including the A320neo series.
The Final Flight
The final Boeing 737 flight was operated by aircraft LN-RRB, affectionately known as “Dag Viking” by SAS employees, which is just over 16 years old.
“It’s time for our last Boeing 737 flight. ‘To move from the old to the new is the only tradition worth keeping.’ These words, written by founder Wallenberg, are as valid today as they were back in 1946 when SAS was founded. The Boeing 737 has served us well, but it’s time to say goodbye to this iconic aircraft, to make way for the next generation, more efficient aircraft, which we have been phasing in for the last few years,” the airline said in a September Instagram post announcing the retirement.
To mark the occasion, SAS offered enthusiasts an opportunity to win a seat on the last flight in early November. The retirement flight was met with fanfare from company employees and aviation enthusiasts alike.
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SAS has gradually been phasing out its 737s over the last few years. According to Cirium Diio data, the airline had been operating the 737-700 from Oslo to Brussels and Paris among other routes in early November. In addition to the remaining 737-700, the airline operated a fleet of the 737-800 variant up until late October 2023.
Alongside the 737 retirement, SAS is looking at repositioning the airline within the Air France-KLM Group. As part of this move, the airline will join the SkyTeam Alliance, leaving behind its long-standing roots in the Star Alliance.
