SAS awards are now accessible using Delta SkyMiles (and other partners), including for business-class flights to Europe.

It's been almost a year since Scandinavian Airlines revealed its decision to exit Star Alliance, which it co-founded over 25 years ago, as part of a financing arrangement with Air France-KLM. The airline officially left SkyTeam at the end of August and has since been strengthening its connections with its new SkyTeam partners, particularly Delta, with whom it signed a codeshare agreement that took effect on Sept. 25.

SkyTeam alliance overview: Member airlines, lounges, and elite status

Previously, some intra-Europe awards on SAS could be booked using SkyMiles, and it was reported that Flying Blue miles could be used for certain long-haul flights as of last week. Now, however, it seems that long-haul SAS awards can be booked using not only SkyMiles on Delta.com, but also Virgin Points via Virgin Atlantic's website.

This expands the options for SkyMiles members and those with points that can transfer to Virgin Red, enabling them to fly between the U.S. and Europe using their points. Although business-class awards tend to be both costly and limited, there is ample availability at reasonable prices in both economy and premium economy.

Alliance surprise: SAS partners with Air France-KLM and SkyTeam, departing from Star Alliance

SAS awards can be booked with Delta SkyMiles

According to TPG's findings, one-way economy awards range from 44,000 to 56,000 Delta SkyMiles for flights between SAS's hub in Copenhagen (CPH) and various U.S. gateways, including New York J.F.K. (JFK), Boston Logan (BOS), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), varying by city and date. Availability appears to be strong from now through next summer.

Premium economy awards from various U.S. cities typically range from 92,000 to 120,000 SkyMiles each way, depending on the city and date.

Business class awards appear to start at 230,000 miles each way, potentially reaching up to 375,000 miles. Unfortunately, there isn't much availability at the lower levels. These prices align with similar awards on Delta's own flights. For instance, there's a flight from Copenhagen to Los Angeles with a stop in Atlanta.

Using Virgin points for SAS flights

Virgin Atlantic is now showing numerous economy and premium economy awards on SAS flights, starting at 22,500 and 47,500 points each way for economy and premium economy tickets, respectively, from various gateways including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago, New York, and Boston.

Currently, we couldn't identify awards for SAS's non-stop flights from West Coast cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Economy awards begin at 25,500 miles each way for travel between the U.S. and Europe, while premium economy awards start at 47,500 miles each way, with taxes and fees being just $5.60 when flying from the U.S. and about $56 when departing from Europe.

TPG's Brian Kelly discovered Upper Class redemptions from both Boston and Atlanta for as low as 60,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points, along with just $6 in taxes and fees through Seats.aero.

SAS introduced flights between Copenhagen and Atlanta in June, and just announced a new route from Copenhagen to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) starting next summer earlier this month.

Redeeming miles for SAS flights

Don’t have any SkyTeam miles to use for SAS flights? There are numerous straightforward ways to accumulate your mileage balances.

If you're looking to earn Delta SkyMiles, you might consider applying for one of these credit cards.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

In addition, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and, more recently, Wells Fargo Rewards. Therefore, if you hold a card that earns points in these programs, you may have excellent options to boost your Virgin account.