A Norwegian Air 787 Dreamliner parked at Oakland International Airport (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
Norwegian Air announced yet another another disruptive move in the transatlantic air travel market today.
Starting in Spring 2018, it will launch new nonstops from Oakland (4/10), Newark (2/28) and Boston (5/2) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Checking today for flights next spring, we are finding roundtrips in the $400-$500 range, which is a very good deal for nonstops between US cities and Paris.
Norwegian also announced that it would bring its low fares to two new U.S. cities next spring: Austin (3/27) and Chicago (3/25) with nonstops to London-Gatwick.
With these additions, the Scandinavian low-fare powerhouse will soon fly nonstop between 15 U.S. and 13 European cities.
This is exciting news, but it’s important to remember a few things about Norwegian: First, don’t think those low fares don’t come with some steep fees. For example, checking a bag between Oakland and Barcelona will run you an additional $130 roundtrip– double that ($260 roundtrip) if you change planes. To reserve a specific seat, you’ll pay a whopping $90 roundtrip on transatlantic flights. See Norwegian’s fee schedule here.
Norwegian Air Premium cabin seats on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner recline, but don’t lie-flat. (Photo: Nancy Branka)
You should also know that Norwegian rarely operates its flights on a daily basis— many U.S.-Europe flights only run 3-5 times per week. If for some reason your flight is delayed or canceled, you are in for quite a long wait for the next Norwegian flight. It will not put you on another carrier’s flight during irregular operations. For more on this, see our post The Problem with Low-Fare Flying.
In addition, Norwegian Air is not part of any of the big three airline alliances, so there is no opportunity to earn or burn frequent flyer flyer miles with U.S. partner airlines.
Despite these drawbacks, Norwegian is growing like crazy in the U.S. It flies new Boeing 787 Dreamliners on its current transatlantic runs– and generally earns high marks from travelers. (See Norwegian’s Dreamliner seatmap on Seatguru here.) For those who want a little separation from the vacationing masses, it offers a nice premium cabin at a higher price point with fewer fees.
See Norwegian Air press release about new flights here and check fares or book flights here.
What about you? Have you flown Norwegian yet? Would you? Please leave your comments below!
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The suggestion was somehow that people have to be stupid to fly Norwegian. The rate at which they are expanding tells me that is incorrect. Norwegian is opening up long-haul flights to people who cannot afford full-service airlines, increasing competition and driving down fares. That is good for all passengers.
Sure, if money is no object then you might choose another airline. But most people have finite budgets and it’s perfectly reasonable to choose to spend less on a flight and more on other things. I’ve flown F a few times, J a whole bunch of times, but I’ve also flown Norwegian. There’s nothing wrong with choice.
Get a grip. Nobody insulted you. But it’s clear you have a huge chip on your shoulder that’s itching to be knocked off.
Norwegian might be fine for those who don’t mind being treated like cattle in exchange of saving a few shekels, but premium cabin travelers don’t want to spend 10 hours in angled seats.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with someone choosing to fly Norwegian long haul. The fees aside, it’s no different than being in Coach on one of the big three US airlines, but is significantly cheaper even with a few fees. Even the big European airlines are taking note – look at BA’s new “cheaper” routes from London Gatwick to Oakland and Fort Launderdale.
Those people would simply prefer to spend more on their hotels, other aspects of their vacation or something else altogether.
I have used Norwegian numerous times between Fort Lauderdale and Gatwick always in the premium cabin. It has been a life saver for me as I was back and forth like a yo-yo for family reasons. It’s a good product especially when you compare the cost to BA which has just started their service. I have never experienced any delays at either end. The only criticism I have is the airline doesn’t have a designated arrival gate at FLL which causes a lot of inconvenience after a long flight.
These type of airlines are great for the backpackers but not for me. I was in Europe two weeks ago and flew United. The flight went Tech and United put me on another flight. I arrived back home within an hour of my original flight. DY , not a chance and probably would have waited another three days due to no available flights or seats.
I did not suggest that you were the petite anorexic person who wears the same shirt every day, only that those are the only people who could enjoy Norwegian’s fee schedule from the West Coast. It’s easier to tolerate being herded like cattle on a 6-hour flight than it is on a 10-hour flight.
In any event, I welcome Norwegian’s expansion, as it has lowered airfare to Europe by a substantial amount. I paid less than half as much this time as I did on my last trip to Europe due to the increased competition.
If you have to insult someone for holding a different view than I have already won the debate.
And in fact the vast majority of people who cross the Atlantic choose to save money by putting up with discomfort and inconvenience rather than pay a lot. That is the reality of the world, and Norwegian are merely proving that.
And I’m not attacking the idea of paying more for premium travel. I have taken two paid flights in F in the last month and a few more in J. But I don’t forget that I didn’t always have that privilege, and if Norwegian had been flying when I was younger, you can bet I would have taken it.
Correct, but how many people take 10+ hour flights that way? Very few. There are only so many petite anorexic people who wear the same shirt every day.
You only get killed by fees if you want to. So for instance, if I dont care about my seat, only take an on-board bag and bring my own food, there are no fees.
Or travel with their “premium” but still cheap all-in fares
Fact is that US airlines are getting squeezed between the high-end foreign airlines and the likes of Wow and Norwegian.
I recently took Norwegian from Bergen to Stockholm. The flight was perfectly fine, and I’m sure their flights to/from OAK are pleasant. However, all those fees add up. That’s why I didn’t take Norwegian for my flights to/from Scandinavia. Once you add in all the fees, I saved a couple hundred bucks flying Air France/KLM instead. Sure I had a 90-minute layover in Amsterdam and had to use SFO instead of OAK, but KLM flies Dreamliners, my checked bag and meal were included, and I earned points on Alaska.