The launch of SAS’ new route between Stockholm and Hong Kong

The route will operate five-times weekly. From Stockholm, flights depart at 15.00, with arrival in Hong Kong at 07.20. In the opposite direction, flights depart at 09.05 and arrive in Stockholm at 14.35. The plan is for the route to be operated by an Airbus A330 until SAS’ new Airbus A330 Enhanced is delivered in late September. It also looks like some departures will be operated by an Airbus A340.

Check-in to Hong Kong The festivities at the airport had already started at check-in, where four desks, adorned with red carpets and Chinese decorations, were dedicated to the new Hong Kong flight. A DJ was also on hand, playing Chinese pop music. These theatrics were, however, a special arrangement for the day, a standard check-in will later be used.

Red carpets at check-in In the lounge, the festivities continued. The inauguration of the new SAS Arlanda Airport Lounges was also being honoured today. The Gold Card lounge has, admittedly, been open since the beginning of August, but it is only now that the final details have all been put in place, including the new bar. The Business Lounge is brand new and opened this week. Just over two hours before departure, all the special guests were escorted from the lounge to the gate by a Chinese dragon that required six people to handle. To make the premiere walk to the gate as smooth as possible, passport controllers had taken care of formalities in the lounge so all participants could go directly into the non-Schengen area via a side door and, therefore, did not have to queue at passport control.

Chinese dragon escort from lounge to gate Gate F69, the gate at the back of the F-pier, was to be used to Hong Kong. Here we were treated to dumplings and noodles, Chinese beer and, for dessert, mooncakes with SAS branding. Catering was by Chinese restaurant Beijing8, which recently opened in the non-Schengen part of the F-pier in Terminal 5. The restaurant is squeezed into a small wagon with wooden benches outside where you can eat.

SAS moon cakes Barely an hour before departure, all guests gathered at the gate for the opening ceremony. SAS CEO Rickard Gustafson and Swedavia's CEO and President Torborg Chetkovich started proceedings by speaking with pride about the new route. The speeches, however, were not without interruption, as competition made itself known. In the midst of Rickard's speech regarding the new Hong Kong route, an exclamation of "Final call for Thai Airways flight to Bangkok” came over the loud speaker, to which the crowd had a good chuckle. When Torborg's moment to speak arrived, it was also time for Qatar Airways to make announcements for Doha. Torborg did, however, counter nicely by pointing out how international Arlanda had become and reaffirmed the airport's goal of becoming the largest airport in Scandinavia by 2020. Finally, the third and final call was announced, a call to all travellers on flight SK963 to Hong Kong to make their way to passport control, which was met with cheers and applause at the gate.

Proud Hong Kong crew As a thank you for good cooperation, Rickard Gustafson received a gift form Torborg Chetkovich - a Swedavia tie normally only worn by Swedavia Crew members.

Rickard Gustafson receives a Swedavia tie After the customary ribbon-cutting, the route was formally inaugurated and the boarding process could begin. On schedule at 15.00, aircraft LN-RKO, also known as Sigrid Viking, took off in the direction of Hong Kong.

And so the route was opened

Ready to board to Hong Kong