* Last Updated 04:42 EST by Jake Hardiman *

Scandinavian Airlines has announced the largest investment in the history of the company by shaking hands on a deal for as many as 40 of its widebody twinjets. The Airbus A330 family is the focus of this agreement, which features both the new A330-900 model from the A330neo series and the older A330-300 model from what is now known as the A330ceo series. The latter will support near-term growth.

Such is the magnitude of the order that, in terms of list prices, the aircraft involved have a combined value of more than $10 billion. Of course, it is unlikely that SAS will pay anywhere near this total, given that airlines almost always receive a hefty discount, especially when buying in bulk. Even so, the multi-billion-dollar deal is a clear sign that SAS is serious about taking its next steps forward.

Investing In The A330

Credit: Shutterstock

Just now, at a press conference in Copenhagen attended by Simple Flying, SAS confirmed that it had committed to adding up to 40 widebody twinjets from Airbus to its fleet. The deal, it explains, “combines new Airbus A330-900 aircraft with additional Airbus A330-300 aircraft secured to support near-term growth ahead of the arrival of the new fleet.” The latter model is one that the carrier already flies.

Having placed an order last year for the Embraer E195-E2 regional jet and invested in renewing its Airbus A320neo fleet for short-haul ops, this latest commitment signifies SAS’s long-haul growth intentions. It says that it “supports the continued development of SAS’s long-haul network, enhancing the airline’s ability to connect Scandinavia with key international markets.” SAS CEO Anko van der Werff said:

“In a world where investment, talent, and opportunity move across borders, well-connected regions are best positioned to succeed. By investing in our future and strengthening our ability to connect Scandinavia with the world.”

A Natural Fit

Credit: Shutterstock

SAS is already very familiar with the Airbus A330 family of widebody twinjets. Indeed, fleet data made available by ch-aviation shows that the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish flag carrier currently has eight units of the A330-300 model at its disposal, with an average age of 14.9 years old. This existing fleet will mean that the extra A330-300s that SAS has committed to in the short term will fit right in.

Indeed, the carrier says that these twin-aisle aircraft, which have a typical three-class capacity of 250-290 seats and a range of 6,350 NM (11,750 km), will already be “fully compatible with SAS’s existing Airbus operations.” Its fleet also acts as a strong foundation when it comes to integrating the new A330-900 jets, as these aircraft have “95% shared airframe parts” with their older counterparts at SAS.

While the Airbus A330-300 has served SAS well over the years, the A330-900 is set to represent a notable step forward in terms of both range and capacity. Specifically, the Nordic carrier says that the jet typically seats 287 to 303 passengers across three classes of travel, and boasts a range of 7,350 NM (13,600 km). Formed in 1946, SAS turns 80 years old this year, and it is certainly celebrating in style.