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A Norse Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft taxis at Los Angeles International Airport ... More after arriving from Paris on May 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
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Have you heard of Norse Atlantic Airways? Hundreds of thousands of budget travelers to Europe—and to the U.S. from Europe—are becoming familiar with the Norwegian international airline. And judging by the packed premium cabin on my flight from LAX to Rome on April 18, the airline has added large numbers of value-oriented Premium Class flyers are as well.
Norse Atlantic is the latest entry in the low-cost, long-haul sweepstakes. From Laker to Tower Air to Norwegian Airlines, many contenders have tried to make the model work. Beloved Norwegian now competes only in Europe using Boeing 737s; its once globe-spanning Dreamliners are long gone.
Still, the power of price appears to be driving Norse numbers.
For example, my wife and I recently flew Norse Atlantic from LAX to Rome non-stop on April 18. We return from Paris to LAX on Norse May 9, also non-stop. Cost of the two one-way premium tickets was just under $1500 for each of us, or about $3000 for both. We were each allowed a personal item, one carry-on up to 33 lbs., and 2 standard pieces of luggage up to 50 lbs. We also got two meals, included wine an Ud beer and nice big wide premium leather seats with a 43-inch seat pitch for stretch-out comfort and lots of legroom.
Is Norse on to something by offering premium seating for less? After all, giant competitor United just announced a 9.2% increase in premium cabin revenue, including 7.6% growth in premium economy.
View into the Premium seating section of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner of the airline Norse Atlantic ... More Airways. The airline Norse Atlantic Airways launches its first flight from BER Airport to New York (JFK) on August 17. (Photo by Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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