SAS joins SkyTeam

This isn't strategic on the part of SAS, so much as opportunistic on the part of AF/KLM, whose investment should help bring it out of bankruptcy. With both IAG and LH Group in the process of buying other carriers, they weren't in a position to play.

Interesting, thanks. That's the end of us flying SAS to SFO, but as you say suits the Virgin / Delta consortium well. BTW, SAS has a high change fee, currently it's $395 for international business class.

And I thought it was useful to see how soon this change is coming -

expected to come during the second quarter of 2024

Delta will have more nonstops to Stockholm and Copenhagen from US hubs
away from the East Coast

Or maybe they will stop flying to Scandinavia and code share with SAS instead?

I wonder what took so long.

Maybe being a founding member kept them in Star Alliance? I was suprised when I heard the news, I did not expect this. But this might be a good solution.

That's the end of us flying SAS to SFO

Is alliance membership that important?

No firm timing was given on SAS's shift from Star Alliance to SkyTeam, with the carriers saying only that would come "eventually" as the deal was finalized.

and this

The move, which still must win regulatory and shareholder approvals,

Is alliance membership that important

Yes. I am aware of SAS devotees who fly to Chicago to pick up SAS but it’s extra effort.

There are a lot of Scandinavian Americans who make one lifetime trip to Europe, it’s to Scandinavia, and SAS flights are hard to make work out from the Upper Midwest/Dakotas. Delta/KLM or Icelandair are both faster.

It would be nearly impossible to make Star Alliance work from my home airport which is a Delta hub, At least American (OneWorld) and Southwest make an effort with nonstops to some non-hub cities. United just offers nonstops to their hubs.

It all depends upon which alliance you choose whether or not one works best for you. We put all our miles on UA, which has reasonable flights into FRA / MUC and on to ARN. With million miler status on UA, we get 1) seat assignments when we book 2) free bags 3) miles on UA 4) priority check in & boarding 5) Lounge access, which is a biggie when transiting in Europe. You can also choose SAS's second cheapest ticket 'Go Something or other, not the cheapest), use your UA number if you have higher miles, and still get all the bennies outlined above. So if / when SAS moves to Delta we will avoid flying with them.