Norse Atlantic Airways Review: Comfy or a Total Letdown?

Have you noticed budget airlines are popping up all over the place?!

There are so many to choose from! I can tell you these airlines are an excellent choice for backpackers, digital nomads, and solo travelers looking to save some money.

The more budget airlines there are, the more we can hop from country to country while staying on budget, am I right?

After hearing a lot of stories about Wizz Air, Vueling, Southwest Airlines, and many other European budget airlines from my friends, I wasn't entirely sure whether I was willing to let go of some flying luxuries just to save some money.

Let's just say a lot of the stories didn't paint budget airlines in a pretty light.

But when I came across Norse Atlantic Airways, I wondered whether it could be the budget airline that could change the game. Would this be a budget airline with a brand new attitude?

Norse Atlantic Airways promises budget prices, comfortable flights, and modern planes. But do they actually deliver?

I wanted to figure out whether to take a Norse flight when I traveled next, so I did some late night, extensive research. And I'm sharing it all with you!

Browse through my in-depth Norse Atlantic Airways review so that you can learn everything there is to know about the budget airline before you fly.

What Is Norse Atlantic Airways?

Launched in 2021, Norse Atlantic Airways is a budget-friendly airline based in Norway. They offer long-haul flights on transatlantic routes. 

They took to the skies for the first time on the 14th of June 2022, flying customers from New York to Oslo. Offering a range of economy seating options, they aim to provide comfort, great service, and affordable fares. 

Who Owns the Air Carrier?

Norse is owned by a few different people. 63% of the company is owned by CEO Bjørn Tore Larsen. A further 15% is owned by Bjørn Kjos, and the remaining 12% is owned by Bjørn Kise.

0% is owned by me, so you can trust this review for sure.

Where Does Norse Air Fly To?

This new airline has established a few long-haul routes in the short time it has been operational. Flying out of Oslo, Norway, Norse currently flies to Los Angeles, New York City, London, and a few other destinations around the US and Europe.

Using Boeing 787 longships planes, Norse offers minimalist comfort on their long-haul flights. I've included a full list of its transatlantic routes below. But remember, the company is always adding new route so check the official routes page for the most up-to-date info!

Routes Available From Oslo Airport (OSL)

• Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
• Fort Lauderdale, United States (FLL)
• Los Angeles, United States (LAX)
• Miami, United States (MIA)
• New York, United States (JFK)

Routes Available From London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

• Barbados (BGI)
• Boston, United States (BOS)
• Fort Lauderdale, United States (FLL)
• Kingston, Jamaica (KIN)
• Los Angeles, United States (LAX)
• Miami, United States (MIA)
• Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)
• New York, United States (JFK)
• Orlando, United States (MCO)
• San Francisco, United States (SFO)
• Washington Dulles, United States (IAD)

Norse Atlantic Airlines also flies to New York's JFK airport from Berlin, Paris, and Rome.

Norse Atlantic Airways Economy Fares

When I'm booking a budget airline, I find myself usually bombarded with numerous options to upgrade, especially when flying economy.

Well, Norse Atlantic Airways is no different. The air carrier has introduced 3 different types of economy classes to give travelers a chance to travel on a lower budget, but what exactly do each classes entail?

Let me explain:

Economy Light

The basic option when flying with Norse.

This entitles you to a basic seat, 1 under-seat bag, in-flight entertainment, and a power socket. There's the option to purchase in-flight food and drinks. You can also change your flight for a fee.

Basic, but very on budget!

Economy Classic

Jumping up a price bracket, this economy option gives you a lot more.

Along with the 1 under-seat bag, you get an added 22 lb carry-on luggage, and a 50 lb standard checked bag.

One meal is included, and additional in-flight food and drinks can be purchased on board. This type of economy flight is also changeable for a fee.

Economy Plus

Here you get all the bells and whistles. Seat selection, priority check-in and boarding, and changeable/refundable flights are just some of the extra service on Economy Plus.

You get the same luggage allowance and meal inclusions as Economy Classic does.

For low-cost airlines, as much as I can be swayed by some perks, I'd recommend picking the most basic version and only upgrade if you absolutely need them.

The upgrades aren't usually significant, but they'll definitely charge you more for them.

Norse Premium Class

If you want even more from Norse Atlantic Airways, check out the premium seating options on their flights. You'll be able to choose between Premium Light, Premium Classic, and Premium Flextra.

I've included a quick screenshot from Norse's website to give you a better idea what the differences are between these premium fares.

Personally, I don't think Premium fares are worth it since they don't give meaningful extras, especially if you're not a fussy traveler who prefers to stay on budget!

Airline's Baggage Allowance

If you have flown with any airline before, you will be familiar with paying for your luggage. Budget airlines often charge for carry-ons as well.

Depending on what type of economy ticket you have booked, you may have luggage included.

Just remember that checked luggage isn't always included on budget airlines, even if you're flying internationally.

If you don't have bags included on your ticket, let's take a look at the pre-booking prices:

• A standard carry-on bag of 22lbs starts from $25
• A standard checked bag of 50lb starts from $70

If you decide to pay for these at the airport, you'll be hit with even heftier prices and fees. Book in advance to save!

In-Flight Experience

Seating

Other travelers say that the new Boeing 787 Dreamliners planes are minimalistic but very nice on the inside. Norse dubs these planes "longships" to align with the Norse branding.

The planes are like most others, even comparable to mainline carriers.

You'll find the seats on these planes to have a 3x3x3 layout. Personally, I appreciated the legroom since the seats offered 31 inches of pitch and were 17 inches in width.

That being said, I'm a shorter person so seats aren't usually an issue for me. If you're taller, it may be a bit cramped in regular old Econ.

If more room is essential for you, I'd definitely recommend spending a bit more on Economy Plus or even Premium fares!

Another good thing about the seats? The adjustable headrests.

Food & Drink

Depending on the ticket you purchased, you may need to purchase your drinks and meals. Be prepared, especially if your flight is a long-haul one.

I would definitely consider filling up a few water bottles. And, if possible, pack some snacks or even a full meal!

But if you do need to purchase food on the flight, most people who've taken Norse agree that they are pleasantly surprised by the food onboard.

Entertainment

Unlike some budget airlines, Norse does give you a small flatscreen TV at every seat. There's also a USB power port in case you need to charge your smaller electronics.

After searching through a number of reviews, I can safely say that the entertainment choice on Norse isn't bad, but it isn't great. If you're picky with your shows or movies, I'd just download beforehand!

One thing to note is that the headphones aren't free on the flight, so either bring your own wired ones or be prepared to pay out of pocket.

How Do I Cancel a Norse Atlantic Flight?

It's possible to cancel your flight with Norse Atlantic Airways, depending on your ticket and when you booked your flight.

The flight rules differ depending on what type of economy fare you have booked. You can find out more here.

If you want to proceed and cancel your flight, log into your booking on their website and follow the steps to cancel. It's possible to change all flights with Norse Atlantic Airways for a fee.

If in doubt, contact their customer service team either by email, phone, or social media.

Norse Atlantic Airways Reviews: What Are People Saying?

Norse Atlantic Airways is still a newer airline, so there aren't lots of reviews about the company yet.

That being said, the reviews I have found online are quite positive!

Fellow travelers have said the food, service, and seats were very good. But portion sizes on in-flight meals weren't huge, so it could be worth bringing a snack or two if you're like me and love to snack throughout the flight.

So far, there have been a few delays on their flights, which I would expect of a new airline, but the service and flight itself ran smoothly.

The most negative experience people have with Norse, it seems, is the customer service. Or lack of. Basically people who have issues, either after they've purchased a ticket or are already at the airport, have a hard time finding someone helpful to talk to!

As this company grows, so will its reviews, but it's a positive start so far for this up-and-coming airline.

Book and Fly Norse Atlantic!

Ready to check off your next bucket-list location? The easiest way to book a flight with Norse Atlantic Airways is on their website!

You can also search for flights using a search engine like Google Flights or Skyscanner. These are good options if you want to compare the times and prices of Norse Atlantic Airways flights to other airlines.

Is Norse Atlantic Airways Worth It?

If you're looking for a budget airline that flies from Oslo to the US or vice versa, then you should try out an experience with Norse. In my experience, I feel like Norse was neither a letdown nor was it comfortable. The experience was completely expected from the quality of a budget airline.

Despite establishing only a year ago, Norse already seems to be good for a budget airline to get you from point A to B. The company offers budget-friendly prices, decent in-flight services, and new minimalist planes.

I will mention however, there are a few drawbacks to consider as well. With recorded delays, limited route options, and lackluster customer service, Norse still have some improvements to make.

Although extra charges and delays have always been a characteristic of budget airlines. That's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Overall, this airline is one to watch! As they expand and improve, they could make Norway an easy destination for the whole of the US. And as far as budget airlines go, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives!

My Rating: 3.7/5

Pros:

• Budget long-haul flights
• Good service so far
• Options to go basic or upgrade in Economy
• New planes

Cons:

• Limited routes
• High prices for extra baggage
• Early stages of operations
• Poor customer service

Norse Atlantic Airways FAQs

Is Norse Atlantic Airways the same as Norwegian Air?

Nope, it is confusing since they both operate out of Norway, but they're completely different airlines. Both flies US to Europe as their main routes, but Norwegian operates mainly from secondary airports, while Norse Atlantic operates on a destination-to-destination solution.

Who owns Norse Atlantic Airways?

Bjørn Tore Larsen founded Norse Atlantic Airways in February of 2021 and began its operations in June 14th of 2022.

Is Norse Air a new airline?

Yep! While they've been around for 2+ years now, they've only just past 1 full year of commercial service. In their first year, they flew more than 500,000 passengers!

Do you have to pay for seats on Norse Atlantic Airways?

If you have a preference on which seats (window, isle, or middle) you'd like to be seated in, you'll need to purchase them when you book your flight. If you choose not to pay, you'll be seated at random.

Is there business class on Norse flights?

Most low-cost carriers, Norse included, do not offer business or first class seats. However, they offer premium seat upgrades which include wider seats.

Where does Norse Airlines fly to in the US?

Currently Norse has flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., New York, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale. Flights to Europe include Berlin, Paris, Rome, Oslo, London, and Rome.

Plan With Pilot!

Once you're all booked, use Pilot to organize your trip, so missing flights are a thing of the past. I found that when I use Pilot is makes things extremely stress free. Don't be fooled by the fact that Pilot is free, it's been the game changer for my friends and I.