I more or less live on the ORD-CPH route. Except during the Covid-19 restriction period, I have very rarely seen any of my November ORD-CPH flights being at 25% in economy class. If it was often at 25%, I would stick to doing poor person’s business class, but I haven’t been that lucky with savings (in money and miles/points).
Cargo is definitely important for this route and what kept ORD-CPH going when it was more like literally 25 passengers or less with me on ORD-CPH. UA feed (in passengers and cargo) wasn’t that critical to make the cargo demand work for those ORD-CPH flights then or before.
Not surprised that SAS is reducing its frequency on the ORD-CPH route but surprised that SAS are doing it so soon with the switch to SkyTeam. Will be interesting to see how SAS ends up doing with air cargo overall on TATL routes while cutting back with ORD frequency. The shift to SkyTeam will change the TATL cargo game for SAS, and maybe not be all good for the SAS cargo game.