SAS Names Latest Airbus A350-900 in Honor of King Frederik X of Denmark
- Joe Breitfeller
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
SAS has today announced that they have named their latest A350-900 aircraft ‘Frederik Viking’ in honor of His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark, at a special ceremony at Copenhagen Airport.
On Monday (May 18, 2026), SAS announced that they have named their newest Airbus A350-900 ‘Frederik Viking,’ in honor of His Majesty King Frederik X, the King of Denmark, during a ceremony at Copenhagen Airport, as the airline celebrates their 80th anniversary. His Majesty King Frederik X attended the naming ceremony today (MAY 18th), and the aircraft’s first flight, SK987, later departed Copenhagen for Seoul Incheon.
At Monday’s ceremony in Copenhagen, SAS’ President and CEO, Anko van der Werff, said,
“It is a great honor to name this aircraft after His Majesty The King, and to celebrate Denmark in this special way. King Frederik X represents a modern and outward-looking Denmark, with a strong international perspective. For decades, SAS aircraft have carried Viking names, reflecting a shared Scandinavian heritage and spirit of exploration. As we celebrate 80 years of connecting Scandinavia with the world — and the world with Scandinavia — we continue to strengthen our position as one of the leading airlines in Northern Europe. The A350 is an important step in the continued modernization of our fleet, supporting more efficient, comfortable and sustainable travel. Frederik Viking will play a key role in connecting our customers across Scandinavia with destinations worldwide in the years to come.”
Traditionally, SAS’ aircraft have carries Viking-inspired names, reflecting the airline’s Scandinavian heritage. The Airbus A350 is the flagship of the airlines’ long-haul fleet and serves intercontinental routes from Copenhagen to destinations across North America and Asia. From their Copenhagen hub, SAS continues to expand their global network, linking Denmark with the wider Scandinavian region and key international markets.
The newest A350-900 forms part of SAS’ fleet renewal program and represents the most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft in its category, contributing to lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions compared with previous generation aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft features a quiet cabin environment, improved air quality and advanced onboard comfort, offering guests an elevated long-haul experience.
From Left: SAS' President and CEO Anko van der Werff and His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark - Courtesy SAS / Cision
Founded in 1946, SAS is the leading airline in Scandinavia, with main hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm, and flying to 135 destinations across Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Each year, SAS serves over 25 million passengers and transports around 55,000 tons of cargo, all facilitated by a passionate team of more than 10,000 colleagues. The company aims to be a driving force in sustainable aviation and in the transition towards net zero emissions by 2050. SAS also offers ground handling services, technical maintenance and air cargo services. SAS officially joined the global SkyTeam airline alliance in September 2024, and together with their partner airlines offers a wide network worldwide. On July 4, 2025, the Air France-KLM Group announced their intention to take a majority ownership stake in SAS, further expanding one of Europe’s leading aviation groups.
Source: SAS/Cision
