Scandinavian Airlines has today become the latest airline to operate from Heathrow Terminal 2, with 21 flights to Scandinavia departing on its first day.

To mark SAS being one of the original airlines at T2 in 1955 and to celebrate the airline’s first day at the new terminal, passengers on the first SAS flight to depart the new terminal at 06:40 flew onboard a retro-painted Airbus A-319 aircraft to Copenhagen.

This was followed by early morning departures to Oslo and Stockholm, as departing passengers celebrated with both current and ex-cabin crew dressed in uniforms, both old and new, and were presented with souvenir photos and playing cards of iconic SAS images from 1955 up to the present.
 
The celebrations marked the airline’s history as just one of six airlines that flew when the original terminal building, called the Queen’s building, opened in 1955, and are operating today from the newly-built Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal.

On its first day operating from the new terminal, over 4,000 passengers departed and arrived with SAS across 42 flights, compared to just 24 flights daily from Heathrow back in 1955.

Formally opening the first flight, Hans Dyhrfort, SAS regional general manager Western Europe, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome SAS passengers to fly with us from the impressive new Heathrow Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal; where SAS passengers will benefit from the spacious, light and airy surroundings, modern check-in options and numerous shops and restaurants. 

“With over 270 flights per week direct to Scandinavia, and onwards to many other destinations in Scandinavia and beyond, we’re pleased to offer world class facilities for our London passengers both on-ground and in-flight, making life easier for travellers to Scandinavia.”

Short breaks and holidays to Scandinavia are enjoying a surge in popularity among UK residents. 

Watch the Breaking Travel News tour of Heathrow Terminal 2 here.