About Norwegian
Norwegian Air Shuttle was founded in 1993 but really took off as a low-cost carrier from 2002, under the leadership of Bjørn Kjos. Headquartered at Oslo Gardermoen, it grew rapidly to become one of the largest low-cost carriers in Europe and — from 2013 to 2020 — a genuine transatlantic low-cost disruptor. Norwegian was the first European LCC to offer daily long-haul service from Gatwick to US east coast and west coast cities using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, plus "Premium" long-haul seats that rivalled Virgin at a fraction of the cost.
Then came the pandemic. Norwegian filed for bankruptcy protection in Ireland in late 2020 and ended its entire long-haul operation. The restructured airline emerged in 2021 as a short-haul-only Nordic LCC. Its 787 Dreamliner fleet was sold off or leased to others. Today Norwegian focuses on intra-Nordic, Nordic-to-Europe and UK-to-Nordic routes with an all-Boeing 737 fleet.
Norwegian is not part of any alliance. It has a loyalty programme called Norwegian Reward with "CashPoints" that can be used against future fares. The fleet is around 85 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Routes & UK hubs
Norwegian serves the UK primarily from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh, with a focus on Nordic capitals and southern European leisure routes.
| UK airport | Typical Norwegian destinations |
|---|---|
| London Gatwick | Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Tenerife, Faro |
| Manchester | Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Alicante, Malaga, Palma |
| Edinburgh | Oslo, Copenhagen, Bergen |
| London Heathrow | Limited seasonal Oslo (history); not a regular Norwegian base |
Baggage allowance
Norwegian is more generous than Ryanair/easyJet/Wizz — its base fare includes a proper cabin bag up to 10kg. Checked bags are paid unless on a higher fare tier.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Cabin bag (LowFare) | 55 × 40 × 23 cm · up to 10kg combined with personal item |
| Personal item | 25 × 33 × 20 cm · counts toward the 10kg cabin allowance |
| Checked bag — LowFare | Not included — add from £15 |
| Checked bag — LowFare+ | 1 × 20kg included + seat selection |
| Checked bag — Flex | 1 × 20kg included + free changes + meal |
Check-in
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before. Airport check-in at most bases costs around £20 — avoid. Bag drop closes 40 minutes before departure.
- Norwegian app or norwegian.com: 24 hours ahead — free.
- Self-service kiosks: Available at Oslo, Gatwick, Manchester and most Nordic bases.
- Airport check-in desk: £20 per passenger — use kiosks where possible.
Fleet
Following the 2021 restructuring, Norwegian operates a streamlined fleet of around 85 Boeing 737s — a mix of older 737-800s and newer 737 MAX 8s. No long-haul aircraft remain in the fleet. The 737 MAX 8 progressively replaced older 737NGs through 2023–2025 and now forms the majority of the fleet. Seat pitch is typically 30 inches — more generous than Wizz and similar to easyJet.
Cabin classes
On-time performance
Norwegian's short-haul OTP (arrivals within 15 minutes) typically runs at 75–82% across its core Nordic and UK-continental network. Winter Nordic routes can see higher delay rates due to de-icing and weather disruption at Oslo, Bergen and the smaller Scandinavian airports.
Passenger reviews
Typical strengths: cleaner and more modern feel than some LCC rivals; 10kg cabin bag included on every fare (more generous than Ryanair/Wizz/easyJet base); direct UK to Nordic-capital connections that avoid the typical Amsterdam/Copenhagen connections required with flag carriers; the Norwegian Reward loyalty programme is genuinely useful for repeat flyers.
Typical criticisms: limited UK route network — essentially Nordic + Spain leisure, with few city-break options outside those; lingering 2020 restructuring has affected some refund and claim handling; mid-pack on-time performance.
Aggregate score across Trustpilot, Skytrax and AirlineRatings: 7.5 / 10.
⚖️ Norwegian flight delayed or cancelled?
Norwegian is subject to UK261 for UK-departing flights and EC261 for flights within EEA. Delays of 3+ hours or cancellations within 14 days of departure can mean up to £520 per passenger. Post-restructuring Norwegian's claim handling has improved, but claim-service pressure still helps speed things up.
Check my claim → Read the rules →Norwegian FAQs
No. Norwegian ended all long-haul operations in 2021 during its pandemic restructuring. Its entire Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet was sold or leased out. Today's Norwegian is a short-haul only carrier focused on Nordic and European routes. Do not buy a "Norwegian transatlantic" ticket expecting the 2019 product — it no longer exists.
All three have strong safety records and identical 7/7 AirlineRatings safety scores. Norwegian operates a modern Boeing 737 fleet with no fatal accidents in its entire history. Safety is not a differentiator between major European LCCs.
Not as a regular base. Norwegian occasionally operates limited Heathrow-Oslo service; its main UK operations are out of Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh. Always confirm the departure airport at booking.
Norwegian Reward is the loyalty programme — free to join. You earn CashPoints (1 CashPoint = 1 NOK) on every flight which can be redeemed directly against future fares. Unlike traditional airline miles, CashPoints don't expire as long as your account is active and they're extremely flexible. Tier benefits unlock seat selection, Fast Track and lounge access at Oslo for Gold members.
Usually yes — Norwegian is typically 30–50% cheaper than SAS on UK-to-Nordic routes if you book in advance and don't need a checked bag. SAS has more connections, a better long-haul network and stronger loyalty benefits, so compare Star Alliance needs before choosing.
Yes — Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote in winter season from Gatwick and Manchester. Also Malaga, Alicante, Palma and Faro year-round. Nordic countries generate heavy winter-sun traffic which routes through the UK network.