Norse Atlantic Airways Reviews: A New Low-Cost Transatlantic Carrier

Norse Atlantic Airways reviews have started trickling in as the new transatlantic budget carrier expands. Launched in 2022, Norse Atlantic aims to disrupt legacy airlines on long-haul routes between Europe and North America with its low fares and fleet of fuel-efficient Dreamliner aircraft. Early feedback from passengers relating their experience with Norse provides a glimpse into the onboard services provided by this Norway-based airline that hopes to inherit the mantle of low-cost long-haul leader from Norwegian Air.

A quick look at the reviews supplied by those who fly Norse shows key themes emerging on the pros and cons of flying with the nascent carrier (sometimes erroneously referred to as Norse Atlantic Airlines).

Favorable reviews highlight the new aircraft, cheap ticket prices and bundled amenities. Complaints signal disappointments around lack of in-flight entertainment, cramped seating and nickel-and-diming for extras – common complaints that are often associated with a budget airline.

As with any airline, the reality appears nuanced and any review of Norse Atlantic has to be considered in context. 

Let’s start with a short description of the airline. 

Norse Atlantic Airways: A New Transatlantic Disruptor Takes Flight

Norse Atlantic Airways is an exciting new airline that launched long-haul transatlantic service in 2022. Based in Oslo, Norway, Norse has big plans to disrupt the competitive market for flights between Europe and North America. 

Hub Airport

Norse Atlantic’s main hub airport is Oslo Gardermoen Airport. This modern and efficient airport serves as a strategic connecting point for Norse’s expanding routes and flights.

Fleet 

Norse Atlantic launched operations with a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The fuel-efficient 787s feature a comfortable cabin configuration with two classes of service. The airline has additional 787s on order as it continues to expand.

Airline History

Norse was founded in 2021 by aviation executives Bjørn Tore Larsen and Bjørn Kjos. Larsen previously co-founded Norwegian Air Shuttle, while Kjos led Norwegian for many years and pioneered low-cost long-haul flights. Their experience should help guide Norse’s growth.

Subsidiaries

Norse Atlantic owns two subsidiaries – Norse Air UK in Britain and Norse Atlantic USA in the United States. These subsidiaries support the airline’s transatlantic operations and regulatory compliance. 

Seat Classes

Norse Atlantic offers two classes of service: Premium and Economy. The Premium cabin features spacious reclining seats with more legroom, while the Economy cabin provides an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers.

Routes

Norse launched with flights from Oslo to New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, London, Paris, Berlin, and other major cities. It continues to expand across the United States and Europe.

Airline Logo and Livery

Norse features a blue geometric logo on the tailfin that represents the contours and colors of Norway. The white fuselage bears the word “NORSE” and “flynorse.com” in blue.

Crew Uniforms 

The uniforms for Norse flight attendants and pilots feature light/dark blue jackets paired with white shirts or blue blouses, complemented with light/dark blue scarves or ties.

With low fares and efficient 787 aircraft, Norse Atlantic aims to disrupt legacy airlines on routes. The airline is off to an ambitious start under proven aviation leaders. If Norse can offer great service and reliability, it may very well succeed in becoming a major player connecting Europe and North America.

Baggage Allowances

Here are the checked and carry-on baggage allowances for Norse Atlantic Airways:

Long-Haul Flights:

• Checked bags – 1st bag is free up to 50 lbs (23 kg), 2nd bag is $100 up to 50 lbs 
• Carry-On – 1 personal item free, 1 carry-on bag €/£50 online or €/£70 at airport 
• Max dimensions – Cabin luggage is 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) 

Short-Haul Flights:

• Checked bags – 1st bag is €/£50 up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Carry-On – 1 personal item free, no standard bag included  
• Can purchase carry-on for €/£50 online or €/£70 at airport
• Max dimensions – Same as long-haul if carry-on purchased

To summarise, on long-haul flights travelers get 1 free checked bag, with paid carry-ons. For short-haul flights within Europe, checked bags and carry-ons must both be purchased separately. Checked bags have a 50 lb (23 kg) weight limit in both cases. Carry-on dimensions are standard for both route types.

Flying Norse Atlantic

Direct flights from Oslo

Destination	Departure at	Return at	Airline	Find tickets
Bangkok	14 December 2023	7 January 2024		Tickets from GBP 1 307
Miami	20 October 2023	20 October 2023		Tickets from GBP 417

Flying across the Atlantic on one of Norse Atlantic Airways’ new Boeing 787 Dreamliners has become an attractive option for many travelers seeking a cheaper fare between Europe and North America. The Norway-based airline now competes with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and others with its flights from London to New York, Los Angeles and beyond. 

Passengers can choose from regular Economy class or pay extra for Norse Atlantic Premium when booking on the airline’s website or via online travel sites. The Premium cabin offers perks like more legroom, advanced meal service and a checked bag allowance. For budget-conscious fliers, the no-frills Economy tickets provide an affordable way to cross between continents.

Reviews of the in-flight experience on Norse are mixed so far. Some economy passengers complain about cramped seating and Norse’s propensity to charge for extras like baggage or to select a seat. However, the airline’s shiny new Dreamliners do provide an upgraded onboard environment compared to barebones carriers like Spirit Airlines.

Where Norse really seems to falter is customer service and organization. Many reviews cite long queues and delays during the check-in process, lack of gate announcements, and poor treatment of economy passengers. The airline’s customer support channels also receive negative marks. It’s clear that as a new entrant, Norse still has kinks to work out, especially regarding customer care.  For example, priority check-in for Premium Economy passengers might help.

For now, wary travelers may prefer booking with established players like British Airways if making a quick trip between New York and London. But the bargain fares Norse Atlantic offers could make the airline’s flaws worthwhile for flexible passengers – if they arrive early, come prepared and set expectations accordingly. As Norse expands across the Atlantic, competition may further improve its customer experience and value proposition.

FAQ

What are the Norse Atlantic Routes from London?

Here are the routes that Norse Atlantic Airways currently operates from London:

• Gatwick to New York JFK – Norse operates this route up to daily using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The flight takes around 8 hours. 
• Gatwick to Los Angeles – This route runs up to 4 times per week, also using the 787. Flight time is around 11 hours to LAX.
• Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale – Norse flies this route twice weekly. Flying time to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is around 9 hours.
• Gatwick to Oslo – There are multiple daily flights betweenGatwick and Oslo Gardermoen Airport in Norway. This Oslo base is Norse’s hub.
• Gatwick to Berlin – Norse will be launching 3x weekly service between London and Berlin Brandenburg Airport starting in December 2022.

So in summary, Norse Atlantic’s route network from London currently includes New York, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale in the United States. The airline also connects London to its Oslo home base. Additional European routes like Berlin are being introduced as Norse continues expanding.

Direct flights from London

Destination	Departure at	Return at	Airline	Find tickets
Montego Bay	1 December 2023	8 December 2023		Tickets from GBP 549
New York	23 January 2024	30 January 2024		Tickets from GBP 321

Where does Norse Atlantic fly from London Gatwick?

Here are the destinations that Norse Atlantic Airways flies to from London Gatwick Airport:

United States:

• New York (JFK) – Daily service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Up to 4 flights per week to Los Angeles International Airport  
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Twice weekly flights to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport

Europe:

• Oslo (OSL) – Multiple daily flights to Oslo Gardermoen Airport in Norway, which is Norse’s hub airport
• Berlin (BER) – 3 flights per week to Berlin Brandenburg Airport 

Caribbean:

• Bridgetown (BGI) – Occasonal flights during peak season to Barbados.

So in summary, Norse Atlantic’s long-haul network from Gatwick includes major cities in the US such as New York, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale. It also connects London to its Oslo base in Norway. The airline is expanding in Europe with the new Berlin route coming online later this year. But its focus from London remains services to popular destinations in the United States.

What is the ranking of Norse Atlantic Airways?

As a comparatively new airline, Norse Atlantic does not yet appear on published rankings of the world’s top airlines by metrics like passengers carried, revenue, fleet size etc. Most major airline ranking lists include large global carriers that have been operating for decades.

As Norse establishes its operations and carries more passengers over time, its ranking among the world’s airlines should become clearer. But as a start-up carrier focused on routes crossing the pong, it is not yet large enough to rank highly on global airline ranking lists.

Is Norse Atlantic a low-cost airline?

Yes, Norse Atlantic Airways can be considered a low-cost carrier. Here are some key points about Norse Atlantic’s low-cost model:

• Fares – Norse Atlantic is marketing itself as a budget-friendly option for transatlantic flights, with introductory fares as low as $100 one-way. This reflects a low-cost pricing strategy.
• Seat classes – Norse has a simple cabin configuration with just Economy and Premium Economy classes. There is no elaborate First or Business class offering that would drive up costs. 
• Fleet – The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft Norse uses provides cost efficiencies through fuel savings. High-density seating further helps lower costs per passenger.
• Ancillary fees – Like other low-cost carriers, Norse generates additional revenue through fees for seat assignments, baggage, food, etc. This increases profitability.
• Short-haul flights – Norse does not offer connecting flights or other frills common among full-service network carriers. The focus is point-to-point transatlantic service.

While not an ultra-low-cost airline like Ryanair, Norse Atlantic’s lower operating costs, simpler service model and budget ticket prices closely align with a low-cost carrier strategy in the transatlantic market. Its fares and feasibility of unbundled fares point to a low-cost structure.

What are the amenities and leg room like?

• Legroom – Norse Atlantic has configured its new 787 Dreamliners with 32” of seat pitch in economy class. This is pretty standard for economy seating and provides adequate space for most passengers.
• In-flight services – Norse provides complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee and WiFi connectivity in economy class. Food and alcohol are available for purchase. 
• Premium cabin – The premium cabin on Norse Atlantic has 46” of seat pitch, providing extra room. Premium seats are also wider and recline further. This cabin offers an upgraded experience.
• Amenities – Norse planes do not have personal in-flight entertainment screens. Passengers are encouraged to bring devices loaded with entertainment. Power ports are available.

So in summary, the legroom and amenities onboard Norse Atlantic are comparable to other low-cost transatlantic carriers. 

Who owns Norse Atlantic?

Norse Atlantic Airways is owned by a group of aviation industry investors and entrepreneurs. Here are some key details on the ownership:

• Majority owner – Bjørn Tore Larsen is the majority owner with a stake of 25%. He is a co-founder of the airline and previously was a co-founder of Norwegian Air Shuttle.
• Second largest owner – Bjørn Kjos is another significant owner with a 15% stake in the airline. Kjos is also a co-founder and was previously CEO of Norwegian Air. 
• Minority owners – Additional minority shareholders in Norse Atlantic include Bjørn Kise, who leads an investment company, and Erik Braathen, who has a background in Scandinavian aviation.
• Institutional investors – Norse Atlantic raised early capital from Norwegian investment funds Folketrygdfondet and Kistefos. This provided startup funding for the airline.
• Employee ownership – Norse Atlantic has an employee share program where staff can become part-owners. The airline sees this as valuable for aligning incentives.

So in summary, the airline was founded and is mainly owned by experienced Scandinavian aviation executives and entrepreneurs. They have also brought on other institutional and employee investors as the company ramps up operations. The ownership group combines aviation expertise with access to capital.

Is Norse Atlantic the same as Norwegian Air?

No, they are two separate and competing airlines:

• Founders – Norse Atlantic was founded in 2021 by Bjørn Tore Larsen and Bjørn Kjos. Larsen previously co-founded Norwegian Air, while Kjos was Norwegian’s longtime CEO.
• Headquarters – Norse Atlantic is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Norwegian Air’s headquarters is in Fornebu, Norway.
• Fleet – Norse Atlantic operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Norwegian has an all-Boeing fleet of 737s and 787s. 
• Business model – Both airlines use a low-cost model but have different service approaches. Norwegian operates shorter routes in Europe, while Norse focuses on longer flights.
• Financial status – Norwegian Air went through bankruptcy restructuring in 2020-2021. Norse Atlantic launched after this as a new entrant.
• Ownership – Norse Atlantic has a different investor and ownership group compared to the new owners of Norwegian Air. The airlines have separate financial backers.

So in summary, while the two airlines share some common roots from Norwegian’s former CEO, they are completely independent companies with different business models, aircraft, headquarters, owners, and financial footing. They compete on some overlapping routes.

How much do their Flight Attendants get paid?

Norse Atlantic Airways has not publicly disclosed the exact salaries or pay rates for its flight attendants. However, here are some details that provide an estimate:

• Industry comparisons – Entry-level flight attendant pay at European low-cost carriers typically starts around £20,000-£25,000 per year. This can increase with experience.
• Norway salaries – Average salaries for cabin crew in Norway are estimated to be around 300,000 NOK per year, which is approximately £24,000 to £30,000. 
• Contract employees – Some Norse Atlantic crew are contract employees rather than direct airline staff. Contractors may have different compensation from full-time employees.
• Norse expansion – As a startup, Norse Atlantic is still ramping up operations. Salaries may evolve as it gets established.
•  Benefits – Norse flight attendants are likely offered typical airline employee benefits like flight discounts, healthcare, retirement plans, etc.

Overall, based on available data, Norse Atlantic flight attendants are likely earning an average base pay of £20,000 to £30,000 annually at this stage in the airline’s growth. Compensation packages may improve as the airline matures over time.