Amid persistent volatility in the global oil sector, SAS has officially ceased its specialized direct connection between Stavanger and Houston — a route tailored for executives and professionals in the oil and energy industries. During our recent interview with SAS CEO Rickard Gustafsson, he confirmed that the route’s future was under review due to declining demand and challenging profitability. Today, SAS has formally announced the route’s termination, with the dedicated aircraft now reassigned to support the high-traffic Copenhagen–New York corridor.
The final scheduled departures from Stavanger and Houston are set for October 23, with the last arrival into Stavanger on October 24. SAS is proactively assisting affected travelers in rebooking their itineraries to alternative flights or destinations.
The Boeing 737-400 previously operating the "oil route" will now enhance SAS’s transatlantic offerings, supplementing existing daily services between Copenhagen and New York. The new schedule features departures from Copenhagen at 18:25 and from New York at 22:55, operating every day except Tuesday, aligning with current market demand and optimizing fleet utilization.
Eivind Roald
, SAS Commercial Director and
visionary behind the original Stavanger–Houston service
, commented: “The Stavanger–Houston route was a unique collaboration between SAS and key partners in the oil sector, and we invested significantly in its development. However, with the sustained downturn in the industry, we have made the strategic decision to redeploy resources to the Copenhagen–New York route, where we see robust demand and greater growth potential.”
Bookings for the enhanced Copenhagen–New York flight are available starting September 16, providing additional premium capacity for business and leisure travelers alike.
Business class seating on the SAS Boeing 737-700 continues to offer a refined, comfortable transatlantic experience.
SAS has also expanded its North American network in 2025, with new direct services from Scandinavia to Los Angeles and Miami further strengthening its global reach.
