Originally an international airline, Braathens lost its certificate to operate international flights in 1951, and was forced to rebuild the airline's structure to turn it into a successful domestic-only airline.
Soon after the jet age began, Braathens acquired some different types of jet aircraft, and in 1989, they were certified once again to fly international routes in addition to the domestic ones. Apart from their regular flights, they also fly as a charter airline. In 1996, Braathens took over Transwede, and in 1998, Malmo Aviation.
That was also the year where Braathens formed an alliance with KLM and Northwest Airlines. Alitalia was supposed to also join that alliance, but Alitalia decided not to. In 2001, Braathens was bought by the Scandinavian Airlines System, although they were able to keep operating under their name. That year also, Braathens dropped the SAFE from their name, and the company has been known as Braathens ever since.