The unforgettable Northern Lights, award-winning design hotels, creative arctic cuisine and exciting winter activities are now much closer as tickets go on sale for SAS Scandinavian Airlines' non-stop flight between London Heathrow and Luleå, in Sweden's Arctic destination, Swedish Lapland. The flight will run twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays from 9 December 2022 until 13 March 2023.

Visitors that travel to Swedish Lapland will find themselves immersed in magnificent arctic nature and culture whilst sleeping at some of the world's most unique hotels and lodges, dining on locally sourced produce amid a progressive restaurant scene, and experiencing both adrenaline-filled and mindful winter activities as well as enjoying a little personal health and wellbeing time at one of the many world-class spa retreats peppered throughout the region.

Once on the ground, visitors can enjoy a taste of the arctic lifestyle where the Swedish, the indigenous Sami and the local Tornedalen cultures meet and intertwine. “British travellers appreciate the personal touch, the attention to detail and the authentic local experiences that the small businesses in our region excel at,” says Cecilia Petzäll, Travel Trade Manager at Swedish Lapland Visitors Board.

The route will be operated by a modern, fuel-efficient 180 seat Airbus A320neo aircraft, which produces 15% lower emissions than an older similar aircraft. In addition to minimising climate-affecting emissions, the direct flight offers guests the chance to maximise their time discovering Swedish Lapland and the benefit of a much shorter travel time.

"We are facing a whole new situation this year. Last winter there were yet again major restrictions in the UK in connection with the pandemic. Today, tour operators are showing great interest in this arctic region. Travellers are looking for new, close-to-nature experiences. Thanks to the cooperation we have with partners in the region, we have a very positive foundation. This is a region we believe in and prioritise," says Theres Briger, Sales Manager at SAS.

Here are some of the incredible experiences that await you this winter in and around Luleå:

• Meet the King of the Forest, the Moose and some Reindeer friends and have a forest-fika (coffee with friends) made over an open fire at Cape Wild. 
• Learn about the history of the UNESCO Gammelstad Churchtownand get lost among hundreds of pretty red and white wooden cottages. 
• Kicksled or ice skate along Isbanan the public ice trackon the frozen sea that surrounds the Luleå city peninsula. Or drive on Luleås public ice roadsout to an island. 
• Indulge in local gastronomic delights such as Kalix caviar or Cloudberries at some of the local restaurants. For example Karl-August, Restaurang CG, Arkipelag, Hemmagastronomior Bistron. Or go on a Kalix caviar safarito fish for this coastal gold on a fishing boat with Cold Adventures, ending with a three course dinner.  
• Go on a snowmobile adventure across the frozen sea or through the winter wonderland forest with Luleå Travel, Explore Luleå, Brändön Lodge.
• Say hi to some very excited barking four-legged friends and go dog sleddingover the white meadows or forest tracks with Yellow Snow Huskytours, Luleå Adventureor Northern Soul Journeys. 

And a little farther afield:

• Stay in a spectacular room up in the trees at Treehotel, the latest eighth room, the Biosphere, opens its door up in the trees to its first visitors in June.
• Take the train from Luleå and visit the stunning and first-ever Icehotel, a bucket list icon for every Arctic adventure. Hand-sculpted out of massive ice blocks, each room is designed by commissioned artists from all over the world.
• Visit the world-famous Jokkmokk winter market, where the best Sami artisans and artists gather. A four-hundred-year unbroken tradition, in 2023 it's the 418th market!
• Spot the magical northern lights from one of many supremely comfortable and close-to-nature lodges in Swedish Lapland, for example, Arctic Retreat / Arctic Bath / Loggers Lodge / Brändön Lodge / Melderstein Manor
• Go out on an unforgettable adventure with the whole family, from onboard on an ice breaker to dog sledding or ice fishing. At Pite Havsbad you can do it all!

Further information on the above and much more can be found online at

www.swedishlapland.com and www.visitlulea.se and https://visitsweden.com/where-to-go/northern-sweden/ 

Press pictures London Luleå SAS:

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For more information and image requests, please contact…
Josefine Ås, PR Manager Swedish Lapland Visitors Board:
Josefine@swedishlapland.com | + 33 6 79 04 23 46
Swedish Lapland Visitors Board represents the hospitality industry in Sweden's Arctic destination, Swedish Lapland. 

Steve Robertshaw, PR Manager, Visit Sweden UK:
steve.robertshaw@visitsweden.com | +44 (0)7494 517 223
Visit Sweden is a marketing company promoting Sweden as a destination and as a brand.

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