The SAS Braathens logo speaks of the company’s chosen niche and emphasizes maximum achievement within this field. The emblem’s closed lines indicate the complete service package and savings bonuses.
SAS Braathens, founded in 2004, is a Norwegian airline subsidiary of the renowned Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). The creation of SAS Braathens resulted from SAS’s acquisition of the Norwegian carrier Braathens and its subsequent merger with SAS’s existing operations in Norway. The merger created an airline with the largest share of the Norwegian domestic market.
SAS Braathens, with a significant fleet of Boeing and Bombardier aircraft, served an extensive network of routes within Norway and to various European destinations, with its main operations based at Oslo Airport.
However, in 2007, the SAS parent company underwent a significant structural reorganization, as a result of which SAS Braathens was incorporated into the Scandinavian Airlines group. This marked the demise of the SAS Braathens brand, which had existed for three years.
Despite its short existence, SAS Braathens was quite influential in its time. The airline, which employed more than 2,000 people and carried around 7 million passengers annually in Norway, made a significant contribution to SAS’s development in the Norwegian market in the mid-2000s, preceding the subsequent consolidation under a single brand.
SAS Braathens’ journey provides a glimpse into the evolution of Scandinavian Airlines, particularly its expansion through acquisitions and mergers with regional carriers such as Braathens over the years.
Meaning and History
What is SAS Braathens?
This was a Norwegian airline formed by the merger of the Norwegian division of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Braathens SAFE. It was known for its dominant position in Norway’s domestic market, serving an extensive network of routes connecting the country’s major cities to remote regions. The company operates a diverse fleet, including Boeing 737 and de Havilland Dash 8 aircraft, enabling it to operate efficiently on short- and medium-haul routes. It was known for its EuroBonus loyalty program, which allowed passengers to earn points even on short domestic flights.
2004 – 2007
SAS Braathens airline used a logo containing its name before being renamed SAS Scandinavian Airlines Norge. The wordmark was visually divided into two parts. One side had the white letters “SAS” against a blue rectangle, and the other had the gray-brown lettering “BRAATHENS” in a font with vertically elongated glyphs. Their combination brought variety to the emblem.
The contrast between the blue rectangle and the gray-brown text created a dynamic interaction, providing visual interest and making the emblem more memorable. The use of vertically elongated glyphs for the “BRAATHENS” lettering also helped to increase the recognizability of the emblem, differentiating it from the simpler “SAS” representation.


