“Few others in Norway have the same spectacular view from the office as our pilots," says Marianne Orderud, SAS Norway’s head of marketing.
"We wanted to include them and their unique knowledge about flying in Norway in a campaign for our Norwegian market,” she says.
The strategy was to ask around in their cockpits to find out which approaches are Norway’s most beautiful. Because who better to ask than the people who land and take off across the country several times a day?
Well, here are the results: Tromsø, Ålesund and Bodø, all seen from above. Perhaps you have a personal favourite?
Tromsø
"What characterizes Northern Norway is the huge contrast. The white from the country merges straight to the blue on the sea, and it does it in particular here,” says SAS pilot Trond Palacios.
“Tromsø is a challenging approach, here we must use our experience and knowledge and pay attention to wind and weather to a greater extent than southwards. It’s beautiful,” says SAS pilot Eivind Ajer Olsen.
Ålesund
"The flight to Ålesund is without doubt Norway's most beautiful approach. When we fly via Geiranger and Hjørundfjorden, with spectacular fjords and mountains. NO place on earth is more beautiful," says SAS pilot Arne Krogen.
Bodø
“Some years ago, I had the pleasure of flying with a colleague on his last flight before retirement. I asked if he would miss aviation. ‘No,’ he replied, ‘except flying a visual approach from the south towards Bodø.’ I fully understood what he meant. It’s a fantastic scene in nice weather. Passing west of the glaciers of Svartisen, overhead the island Fugløya with an impressive view on both sides. There are small communities, numerous islands and a pleasant view of the Lofoten archipelago,” says SAS pilot Helge Toft.
Unfortunately, pilots and passengers cannot always expect a clear view of mountains, fjords and forests while landing. The changing climate of the north is far too unpredictable. When SAS set out to film the fourth approach named Norway's most beautiful, Molde, the weather didn’t do them nor the landscape any favours. You will therefore have to trust the pilots’ selection. And pray for clear skies if you are ever in the area.
