SAS cabin crew represented by Fellesforbundet and Parat rejected a negotiated agreement on Monday, triggering a looming strike threat that could ground flights and impact roughly 750 members starting Saturday morning, according to union and company statements.
The conflict centers on an agreement previously reached by Fellesforbundet, Parat, and NHO Luftfart before the summer, which members voted down last week. Dag-Einar Sivertsen, negotiating leader for Fellesforbundet, called the ballot result a “powerful signal” to NHO Luftfart and SAS, noting that members found the recommended settlement inadequate. SAS communications chief Øystein Schmidt told E24 that the company is “disappointed” with the outcome, maintaining that the contested deal represented a responsible and balanced result following a thorough process. Parties are scheduled to meet at the Office of the National Mediator on Thursday.
Charterselskaper such as Apollo and Tui face potential disruptions to their holiday packages if the labor dispute escalates. Anne Mørk-Løwengreen, communications adviser at Tui, stated that approximately 75 bookings could be affected by an August 8 strike, with SAS initially responsible for finding alternative flights. Apollo communications manager Christine Hafnor Håvoll noted that the company has 22 scheduled flights utilizing SAS aircraft on Saturday alone, growing to 35 flights throughout the following week. Apollo plans to seek alternative solutions for affected customers, but will cancel trips and offer full refunds under the package travel act if replacement aircraft cannot be secured.
Did You Know? In 2022, a strike by SAS pilots led to widespread flight cancellations across the carrier’s network.
Forbrukerrådet senior legal adviser Thomas Iversen advises travelers to remain calm and plan their journeys as scheduled while keeping a close eye on news and airline updates. Passengers facing flight cancellations are entitled to rebooking or a full ticket refund, though refunds may take several days to process. For travelers currently abroad, SAS or the affected passenger must arrange accommodation, food, drinks, and airport transport, with expenses subject to a standard of sober restraint rather than luxury spending. Iversen also reminds travelers that cancelled flights qualify for standardized compensation ranging from 250 euros for Scandinavian routes, 400 euros for Southern Europe, and 600 euro for other continents, provided passengers submit a claim themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my SAS flight is cancelled due to the strike?
According to Forbrukerrådet senior adviser Thomas Iversen, passengers are entitled to be rebooked or receive a full ticket refund. If you are already away on a trip, essential costs such as overnatting, food, drink, and transport will either be arranged by SAS or can be paid out of pocket and later reimbursed, provided you save your receipts and keep expenses sober and sparsommelig.
Are charter flights operated by Apollo and Tui also affected?
Yes. Representatives for both companies confirm that trips relying on SAS-operated aircraft may experience cancellations if a strike occurs on Saturday, August 8. Both operators state they will attempt to find alternative flights first, but will issue full refunds under the pakkereiseloven if replacement solutions are unavailable.
How can I claim standard compensation if my flight is cancelled?
Fagsjef Thomas Iversen notes that passengers must actively file a claim themselves to receive standardized compensation, as an estimated 20–30 percent of travelers fail to claim these funds. Compensation amounts depend on the travel distance, set at approximately 250 euro for Norway and Scandinavia, 400 euro for Southern Europe, and 600 euro for other continents.
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