Is Norse Atlantic Airways a Good Airline? (Read This Review First)

Have you ever seen a crazy flight deal but feel like it’s almost too good to be true? That’s how we felt when we first heard about Norse Atlantic Airways! When searching for flights back to the United States we regularly see prices over $600 from major cities in Europe. That’s until we discovered Norse Airlines. We actually flew with Norse Air shortly after they took to the sky in 2022. At the time, there was not much information about them and what to expect. Here’s our experience flying with the new Norwegian company in our Norse Atlantic Airways review!

What is Norse Atlantic Airways?

Norse Airlines launched its inaugural flight on June 14, 2022. Since then, they’ve slowly been expanding routes from Europe to around the world. The reason we were originally drawn to Norse Air was the cheap long-haul flights from New York to Norway. 

Often, you can find great value with companies when they’re just starting out. As Norse Airways makes their push into the U.S. market they’re offering cheap flights from New York City to Europe, and even direct routes from Los Angeles.

We’re no strangers to flying budget and will use them for both short and long haul flights. You can check out all the updated Norse Atlantic Airways routes on their official website.

Norse Atlantic Airways Review

Norse Airways Flight Options

We were actually searching on Skyscanner when we found the Norse Airlines route from Oslo to JFK. There are two fare classes to choose from with Economy or Premium Economy cabin.

However, within both, there are different levels depending on what you need. Some things that vary are priority check-in, baggage allowance, seat selection, change fees, and so on.

• Economy Light
• Economy Classic
• Economy Plus
• Premium Light
• Premium Classic
• Premium Plus

→ 11 Best Ways to Save Money on Flights with Skyscanner

Booking Our Norse Air Tickets

We booked two premium economy tickets for $596 USD which came out to be $298 each. It was interesting because it was almost the same price as if we booked the regular economy and added the extra baggage that we needed.

We should reiterate that we did fly with Norse Air not long after they launched the company. This was a special promotion so don’t be surprised if it’s not available by the time you read this.

Also, know that for the route we were flying there were two options offered. One was a direct one way flight, while the other had a two hour layover at London Gatwick Airport.

We always try to fly transatlantic routes direct when possible to make the trip run smoothly. This cuts down our overall travel time and makes the entire experience much smoother. Even if it cost a little bit more, it’s always better to go direct with Norse Atlantic Airways.

One Week Norway Road Trip 

As we mentioned, we booked this Norse Airways flight while trying to find alternatives to the expensive tickets with other carriers. Originally, we planned to get an easy jumper flight to Oslo then fly back to the United States from there.

However, after booking our tickets from Oslo we decided that we couldn’t travel to Norway without seeing more of the country! Back in 2019, we visited Bergen Norway and have been excited to go back. So with that, we got to planning our one week Norway road trip.

After spending the summer island hopping in Greece and exploring Prague for the first time, we ended up in Copenhagen. We did this route because we wanted to sail with DFDS on their overnight route from Copenhagen to Oslo. 

This jump-started our trip to Norway where we rented a car and we took an epic road trip. If you are planning a trip to Norway you can read all our tips and travel recommendations below.

→ Planning a Trip to Norway: 10 Step Easy to Follow Travel Guide

Checking in For Our Norse Airlines Flight 

The morning of our return flight we woke up in Lillehammer Norway and spent the day driving along the lake back to Oslo. It was the end of a fast paced and adventurous week and we were exhausted.

We planned our timing so we could drop off our Oslo rental car at the same time we needed to be at the airport to catch our night flight. The Norse Atlantic Airways check-in process went extremely well.

 Oslo International Airport is very modern and clean like almost everything else in Norway. We then got our boarding passes and went through security and immigration in under 15 minutes.

Don’t plan for that on your own Norse Air flight as we probably just got lucky with timing. If you are taking the same route know that you might not want to go to your gate too early.

There is another luggage screening section that is quite cramped. We opted to grab a juice and hang it at the cafe next to our gate as we waited to pass through the final security check.

 Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists! Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials! 

In-Flight Norse Atlantic Airways Review

Premium Economy Seating

Now it’s time to get to the actual flight in our Norse Atlantic Airways review! Premium economy is the highest category and is set in the front of the plane as there is no business class or first class. Norse Airlines premium cabin is really nice, especially considering the price we paid for the ticket. 

We have flown between Europe and New York City countless times and have booked much more expensive flights on airlines that we wouldn’t recommend. Some don’t even give you any water for the entire route! We understand that all the low cost carriers are different, but 6-8 hours without even getting a bottle of water is a little much.

Our Norse Air flight came with entertainment centers that popped out of the side of the chair, USB port, meal services, and large seats. The leather seats reclined enough to feel comfortable while trying to get some sleep. In addition, the flight attendants were friendly and the service started not long after taking off.

Meals and Drinks on Norse Airways

Norse Airlines Dinner Service

Now in the sky en route to New York, we both went for the salmon as an entree. It might sound a little strange to eat fish while flying, but it was so good! Norway is known for its delicious fish so it seemed like an obvious choice to us.

The salmon had a thick cream sauce over the top and a small side of spinach with herbed mashed potatoes. It also came with a small bread roll that was crunchy, but soft on the inside. With dinner, you can take your pick of beer, wine, or various soft drinks.

The Chocolate Ganache really put the meal over the top and was the perfect dessert. As far as airline food goes, Norse Atlantic Airways really knocked it out of the park.

Second Norse Airlines Service

Our Norse Atlantic Airways flight came with two meals. The 2nd service was a small pizza that kind of reminded us of a hot pocket. Not the best, but not the worst thing either. We’ve learned with budget airlines that getting anything without an extra charge is a win.

Arriving at JFK With Norse Airways

We landed at New York JFK Airport 8 hours later. Surprisingly there was almost no line at customs. We’ve gotten to JFK before when it has been packed with people and there was over an hours wait to pass through. If you are planning to make a connecting flight be sure to give yourself plenty of extra time to do so!

We typically use public transportation to get into the city when arriving at JFK. However, we were pretty exhausted so we ended up hopping in an Uber to our accommodation. From dropping off our rental car in Oslo Norway to climbing into bed in New York, it was about 11 hours of total travel.

Planning a Trip to New York? 

• 7 Top Things to Know Before Renting a Car in New York
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Booking.com

Is Norse Atlantic Airways a Good Airline?

Honestly, we had a great experience with Norse Air. A lot of that is based on the fact that for the price we paid, there was really nothing more we could have hoped for. 

It was a great flight and it far exceeded our expectations. We appreciated the extra legroom, priority boarding, meals, and overall trip for a price that ended up being the same as economy seats.

Having a budget airline that makes the direct flight from NYC to European hubs (like Olso and Berlin) is huge for us. After our first experience flying in Norse Atlantic Airways premium cabin we would happily book them again next year. 

While we really enjoyed premium economy, if it was much more expensive than regular seating we probably wouldn’t pay extra. Also, for the trip, we would certainly make sure we had a window seat to check out the views. If you’re heading to or from Europe we recommend checking out Norse Airways new routes to see if they are a good fit for you!

→ Since this we have actually flown with Norse again! Check our our second review: NYC to London: Is This $175 Norse Air Flight Too Good to be True?

Have any questions about this article or want to share your own Norse Atlantic Airways Review? Let us know in the comments below.

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! 

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Norway Travel Planning 

 Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Italy to Prague for under $40 USD!

Rental Car: We use Discover Cars when abroad. It is especially popular to rent a car and spend one week cruising between the Fjords. 

 Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda.  Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Norway. You can book everything from an Oslo pass for museums and transportation to a Bergen Fjord tour and even take a famous Tromsø Aurora Borealis Tour! 

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

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