SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) is welcoming Norway’s Olympic medallists home from the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. The athletes are returning to Norway on SAS flights in close coordination with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports and Olympiatoppen.
SAS’s Role In The Olympics
The Norwegian team won a total of 41 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, including 18 gold medals. These were the most medals won by a country in Winter Olympics history.
The SAS is a long-standing partner of Norway’s Olympic and Paralympic teams, supporting athletes and coaches, among others, by flying them to international championships and domestic competitions.
SAS is operating dedicated flights from Italy to Norway to ensure a smooth and celebratory return for the team.
The airline says the Olympic and other sports operations highlight its broader role as a Scandinavian carrier, connecting the region to the world and bringing its athletes home after representing the nation abroad.
Tore Øvrebø, chief of mission at Olympiatoppen, said:
“We are proud of what the Norwegian team has achieved at the Olympic Games and grateful to have our longstanding partner SAS ensuring our athletes return safely home from Italy.”
The Planes Transporting The Athletes
For the Milano-Cortina 2026 homecoming operation, SAS is expected to deploy aircraft from its short- and medium-haul fleets, most notably the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320neo family. These aircraft typically seat between 160 and 180 passengers, making them well-suited for high-demand European routes such as Milan-Oslo.
During major sporting events, airlines often add extra frequencies or adjust schedules to accommodate teams, support staff, equipment and media personnel.
While a single narrow-body aircraft may accommodate the core travelling delegation, additional cargo capacity is typically required for sporting equipment, medical supplies and technical gear. Airlines must coordinate closely with airport ground handlers to ensure priority handling and secure loading, particularly during winter weather conditions.
Beyond the immediate homecoming flights, major events such as Milano Cortina 2026 can temporarily reshape route demand across Europe. Increased traffic between Italy and Scandinavia not only boosts load factors but also provides airlines with valuable data on peak demand patterns, potentially influencing future seasonal route planning.
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