Airline Profile: Norwegian Air Shuttle

The Facts:

Analysis:

4 Things You Need To Know About Norwegian Air Shuttle:

• Norwegian flies 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s from multiple airports transatlantically to Newburgh (nearish to New York City) and Providence, Rhode Island. Norwegian is one of the only airlines to fly 737s transatlantically; they are a very small aircraft for long flights. However, using the 737s flying across the Atlantic, Norwegian has been able to connect secondary destinations, which can’t handle 787s, to airports in the northeast US. This eliminates connections for a lot of flights. Norwegian flies from Newburgh (NYC) and Providence to Bergen, Dublin, Cork, and Shannon. As you can see, most of those are tourist destinations which can’t handle larger aircraft because either there is too little demand or because those aircraft can’t physically land there. However, the transatlantic flights to Bergen, Shannon, and Cork have been suspended due to the 737 MAX groundings.
• Norwegian Air Shuttle has many subsidiaries, which I will explain here. Norwegian Air International is basically the same thing as Norwegian Air Shuttle, except the planes are registered in Ireland for tax purposes. Norwegian Air Long Haul features some of Norwegian’s long haul 787s which fly out of some of its (non-UK) bases. Norwegian Air UK is basically the same thing as Norwegian Air Shuttle, but the planes are registered in the UK and fly out of London Gatwick. Norwegian Air Argentina is a future start-up airline that will be based out of Buenos Aires. For clarification, all airlines operate under the exact same Norwegian Air Shuttle brand.
• While Norwegian currently only has Boeing 737s and Boeing 787s in its fleet, Norwegian will operate Airbus A321LRs starting in 2019. These aircraft will be used on medium-haul routes such as from Europe to North America or to the Middle East.
• Norwegian currently is using leased aircraft on some of their US routes. The planes they lease don’t have premium economy seats, so they put their premium economy passengers into business class seats! This can be a remarkable deal, as sometimes you can get a flatbed (or at least angle-flat) seat for only a few hundred dollars on a transatlantic flight! If you see a Norwegian flight operated by another airline on a plane such as an A330, 777, or A340, premium passengers most likely will have better seats than in Norwegian Premium!

Travel Classes:

Economy Class: 

On most aircraft traveling within Europe and on all long haul aircraft, wifi is free in all travel classes on Norwegian. As there is a very small number of airlines that offer free wifi (even in first class), I commend Norwegian for having free wifi in all travel classes! Also, personal device entertainment with live tv is available on all 737s that have wifi. Free personal on demand entertainment is available in all classes at all seats on all Boeing 787s. On short haul flights (within Europe), all snacks, beverages, and meals are available for purchase. On long haul flights, hot meals are included in all Low Fare+ and Flex Tickets while on a Low Fare ticket, you have to buy a meal in advance. On long haul flights, snacks, additional food, blankets, and headphones are available for purchase (remember, Norwegian is a low cost carrier, so most accessories are available for purchase). With Low Fare+ tickets, seat assignments and one 20 kg (44lb) bag come free of charge.  However, with Flex tickets, seat assignments and bags are only available for an extra surcharge.

Premium Cabin: 

Premium cabin is available on all Boeing 787s on Norwegian. It features recliner seats in a 2-3-2 configuration with extra legroom, leg rests, headrests, and extra recline. While it is the highest class of service on Norwegian, do not think of it as Business Class; it is identical to premium economy on most airlines. Premium cabin features free three course meals, free beverages, seat reservations, power outlets, and personal on demand entertainment. Two 20 kg (44lb) bags are available free of charge. Although Norwegian has no lounges it operates, passengers have access to partner lounges at select airports (see link). On a one way nonstop flight from New York JFK to London Gatwick, premium cabin tickets can cost as little as $534, which is the price of economy on many other airlines to London from New York. Therefore, in a way, premium cabin on Norwegian is one of the best deals of commercial aviation that you can get. 

Have you ever flown on Norwegian Air Shuttle? Share about your experience below!