Norwegian budget long-haul [news and experience reports]
May 3, 2017, 10:23 am
#662
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BOS (but will use MHT on occasion)
Programs: AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, TrueBlue, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan (starting 2016)
Posts: 547
[QUOTE=mknoebel;28259235]I'm just learning about Norwegian and wondering if anyone can help. I am in Denver and I was playing around with some destinations from DEN to Spain in October. There were many flights to Spain, but none returning back to DEN. Any thoughts on why that is?[/QUO
Norwegian doesn't fly a lot of their intra-Europe routes daily.
Norwegian doesn't fly a lot of their intra-Europe routes daily.
May 3, 2017, 5:27 pm
#663
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: SPG Gold, UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 79
There are no flights back to DEN. Found that odd.
Even stranger - if I go to a site like Momondo it actually shows a return flight to DEN - DY171 from London to DEN. Just not available on the Norwegian site.
Even stranger - if I go to a site like Momondo it actually shows a return flight to DEN - DY171 from London to DEN. Just not available on the Norwegian site.
May 12, 2017, 4:10 am
#664
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Belgium
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, ALL Gold, Bonvoy Gold, Honors Gold
Posts: 46
I now see flights available DEN-LGW in both directions. Though keep in mind that if you are looking for a connecting flight Norwegian does not always allow this. E.g. many routes USA-AMS with a connecting flight are only one-way do to their schedules not allowing for a connection in the other direction.
May 19, 2017, 3:39 pm
#665
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: NYC
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 119
Has anyone heard anything about the FDF and PTP seasonal routes returning to BOS? I know they will be resuming the seasonal service out of JFK this year but haven't heard anything about BOS and want to jump on the low JFK fares now if BOS isn't returning.
I know loads were low last year in BOS so am worried they are not coming back! We went the last two years running to FDF (my husband is French and spent many a winter vacation there as a kid) and would be bummed if they were not returning.
I know loads were low last year in BOS so am worried they are not coming back! We went the last two years running to FDF (my husband is French and spent many a winter vacation there as a kid) and would be bummed if they were not returning.
May 26, 2017, 3:23 pm
#666
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
Anyone tried the bid to upgrade? I think it must be new for Norwegian.
I'm flying around thanksgiving and put a bid in to upgrade to the premium econ seats. The lowest amount I could bid was 170 euros on the way back and $150 on the way there. I think it forces you to use whatever currency you bought the tickets in, which is interesting since the tickets I bought in euros were way $40 cheaper than if I bought them in dollars.
I'm flying around thanksgiving and put a bid in to upgrade to the premium econ seats. The lowest amount I could bid was 170 euros on the way back and $150 on the way there. I think it forces you to use whatever currency you bought the tickets in, which is interesting since the tickets I bought in euros were way $40 cheaper than if I bought them in dollars.
May 31, 2017, 3:27 pm
#667
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Positive experience with Norwegian Premium
Recently flew London (Gatwick)-Boston on-way in Norwegian's premium cabin (aka premium economy) for about $675, which was far better than I could get for premium economy on other airlines at fairly short notice. At 46" pitch (and 2-3-2 across) it certainly doesn't compare with other airlines' business class, but certainly beats the general 38" pitch you get for premium economy on British Airways, Air France, etc.
Well, actually, let me qualify that comparison of Norwegian's premium with BA's or UA's business class cabins. Certainly, those two offer lie-flat seating, but with 2-4-2 on some planes they actually feel more cramped and the service isn't anything to write home about. I'm not making an argument to fly Norwegian premium over those other two in business, but for a relatively short westbound transatlantic to the East Coast USA from Europe, I'm not sure the advantage of the lie-flat seat adds up to that much.
Service and systems were fine, with the caveats that check-in (at least for that route) was not possible online and they were quite strict about the 15 kg carry-on bag limit. I was allowed to carry on two bags, but the total weight could not exceed 15 kg.
Lounge at Gatwick was fairly crowded but I could find a seat at a table without any problem. You order free (decent) meals at the bar and they're delivered to your seat. Drinks are also free, though extra charges for premium brands (e.g., prosecco was free but extra charge for champagne).
Beyond that...service on board was friendly and efficient. You can order drinks and food directly from the flight attendants or, more efficiently, via your video monitor. The meal, which was edible (I can't recall anything more), soft drinks and alcohol were free, but you have to pay a few $$ extra (even in premium economy) for snacks, via a credit card slide option on the video monitor.
There was a selection of about 20 movies and maybe slightly more tv shows - not great, but adequate. Video monitor was smallish but picture was fine.
On balance, I'd certainly consider flying them again, especially for a route (about seven hours) that was kind of the equivalent of flying cross-country in the USA westbound.
Well, actually, let me qualify that comparison of Norwegian's premium with BA's or UA's business class cabins. Certainly, those two offer lie-flat seating, but with 2-4-2 on some planes they actually feel more cramped and the service isn't anything to write home about. I'm not making an argument to fly Norwegian premium over those other two in business, but for a relatively short westbound transatlantic to the East Coast USA from Europe, I'm not sure the advantage of the lie-flat seat adds up to that much.
Service and systems were fine, with the caveats that check-in (at least for that route) was not possible online and they were quite strict about the 15 kg carry-on bag limit. I was allowed to carry on two bags, but the total weight could not exceed 15 kg.
Lounge at Gatwick was fairly crowded but I could find a seat at a table without any problem. You order free (decent) meals at the bar and they're delivered to your seat. Drinks are also free, though extra charges for premium brands (e.g., prosecco was free but extra charge for champagne).
Beyond that...service on board was friendly and efficient. You can order drinks and food directly from the flight attendants or, more efficiently, via your video monitor. The meal, which was edible (I can't recall anything more), soft drinks and alcohol were free, but you have to pay a few $$ extra (even in premium economy) for snacks, via a credit card slide option on the video monitor.
There was a selection of about 20 movies and maybe slightly more tv shows - not great, but adequate. Video monitor was smallish but picture was fine.
On balance, I'd certainly consider flying them again, especially for a route (about seven hours) that was kind of the equivalent of flying cross-country in the USA westbound.
Jun 1, 2017, 12:42 pm
#668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Recently flew London (Gatwick)-Boston on-way in Norwegian's premium cabin (aka premium economy) for about $675, which was far better than I could get for premium economy on other airlines at fairly short notice. At 46" pitch (and 2-3-2 across) it certainly doesn't compare with other airlines' business class, but certainly beats the general 38" pitch you get for premium economy on British Airways, Air France, etc.
Well, actually, let me qualify that comparison of Norwegian's premium with BA's or UA's business class cabins. Certainly, those two offer lie-flat seating, but with 2-4-2 on some planes they actually feel more cramped and the service isn't anything to write home about. I'm not making an argument to fly Norwegian premium over those other two in business, but for a relatively short westbound transatlantic to the East Coast USA from Europe, I'm not sure the advantage of the lie-flat seat adds up to that much.
Service and systems were fine, with the caveats that check-in (at least for that route) was not possible online and they were quite strict about the 15 kg carry-on bag limit. I was allowed to carry on two bags, but the total weight could not exceed 15 kg.
Lounge at Gatwick was fairly crowded but I could find a seat at a table without any problem. You order free (decent) meals at the bar and they're delivered to your seat. Drinks are also free, though extra charges for premium brands (e.g., prosecco was free but extra charge for champagne).
Beyond that...service on board was friendly and efficient. You can order drinks and food directly from the flight attendants or, more efficiently, via your video monitor. The meal, which was edible (I can't recall anything more), soft drinks and alcohol were free, but you have to pay a few $$ extra (even in premium economy) for snacks, via a credit card slide option on the video monitor.
There was a selection of about 20 movies and maybe slightly more tv shows - not great, but adequate. Video monitor was smallish but picture was fine.
On balance, I'd certainly consider flying them again, especially for a route (about seven hours) that was kind of the equivalent of flying cross-country in the USA westbound.
Well, actually, let me qualify that comparison of Norwegian's premium with BA's or UA's business class cabins. Certainly, those two offer lie-flat seating, but with 2-4-2 on some planes they actually feel more cramped and the service isn't anything to write home about. I'm not making an argument to fly Norwegian premium over those other two in business, but for a relatively short westbound transatlantic to the East Coast USA from Europe, I'm not sure the advantage of the lie-flat seat adds up to that much.
Service and systems were fine, with the caveats that check-in (at least for that route) was not possible online and they were quite strict about the 15 kg carry-on bag limit. I was allowed to carry on two bags, but the total weight could not exceed 15 kg.
Lounge at Gatwick was fairly crowded but I could find a seat at a table without any problem. You order free (decent) meals at the bar and they're delivered to your seat. Drinks are also free, though extra charges for premium brands (e.g., prosecco was free but extra charge for champagne).
Beyond that...service on board was friendly and efficient. You can order drinks and food directly from the flight attendants or, more efficiently, via your video monitor. The meal, which was edible (I can't recall anything more), soft drinks and alcohol were free, but you have to pay a few $$ extra (even in premium economy) for snacks, via a credit card slide option on the video monitor.
There was a selection of about 20 movies and maybe slightly more tv shows - not great, but adequate. Video monitor was smallish but picture was fine.
On balance, I'd certainly consider flying them again, especially for a route (about seven hours) that was kind of the equivalent of flying cross-country in the USA westbound.
That and my parents will be joining from NYC so I may even advise them to do this on the return as well.
Jun 1, 2017, 3:13 pm
#669
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Thanks for the report report. Likely headed to Rome next spring / summer - and we have enough miles for D1 on the way there (if it stays at 70k with availability on our dates) but been trying to figure out how to get home. With the opening of the Rome routes I'm strongly considering grabbing PE seats for the ride home.
That and my parents will be joining from NYC so I may even advise them to do this on the return as well.
That and my parents will be joining from NYC so I may even advise them to do this on the return as well.
One additional tip: If you have a carry-on bag that's small enough to put by your feet but big enough to rest your feet on to elevate them, it can come in handy. The reclining seats have one of those basic fold out metal thingies at the end, but it's not too useful or comfortable.
Jun 3, 2017, 9:56 pm
#671
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,689
Called them up and Yes, just gotta book over the phone (fee). Takes an age and you cannot add an empty seat to an online booking. Would need to cancel and book new.
Also you can buy the +fare for you and the seat only fare for the extra seat.
Also you can buy the +fare for you and the seat only fare for the extra seat.
Dec 10, 2017, 9:30 am
#672
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 154
Flying Norwegian for the first time in Feb. Premium JFK-LGW. Right now I am in Row 1, side aisle both flights. Is there any particular advantage to these seats or am I better off moving toward the back of the cabin where I will have a better chane of no one sitting next to me. The primary reason I picked this seat was so that I wouldn't have a seat reclining in front of me. Thanks.