I’ve Flown Norse Airways 3 Times: My Unfiltered Thoughts

I discovered Norse Airways in 2022 when I was looking for the cheapest possible way to get back to the U.S. after spending three months in Europe.

I didn’t care where it left in Europe, and I didn’t care where it took me in the U.S.. I was young and freelance writing without much of a plan. I just (legally) needed to be out of the European Union. That’s how I found a less than $200 flight from London’s Gatwick to New York’s JFK. It was on some airline called Norse.

So I made my way to London and eventually got on a Norse flight. It was a pretty good experience, and I’ve since flown them two more times, most recently in 2024.

However, I’ve had lots of issues with Norse as well. They’re not my first choice for cross-Atlantic flights, but I’ll still fly with them depending on the price and my travel plans.

I’ll Share The Pros and Cons, and Tips to Decide If It’s Right For You

And if you decide it is, I’ll share my tips to make the most of it.

My Quick Summary of Norse

• Like many budget airlines, it seems like a good deal at first, but if you add stuff on, it quickly shakes out to the same as bigger airlines. Norse was worth it because I travel with just a backpack, don’t mind not picking my seat, and have flexible departure days.
• If you travel light, it’s a great deal. You won’t find a better deal if you’re headed to London. You may find an equally good or even better deal if you’re headed to other European cities though (I’ll talk about this later).
• The in-flight experience is great. In fact, it’s as good as any airline, and better than most.
• The check-in and customer service experience is a dumpster fire. I’ve had nothing but bad experiences. I’ll help you prepare for it. Luckily, once you’re on the flight, none of this matters.

If you travel light and want a great deal to London (or some of their other destinations), Norse is tough to beat. If you’re going to check a bag and want a flexible travel date or other upgrades, I recommend looking elsewhere. If you need help traveling light, then my tips will save you probably triple the cost of a bag alone in my ebook, Spend Less, Fly More: Save Hundreds on Flights (Without Credit Card Points)

Okay, if you want the nitty-gritty, let’s get into it.

Okay, What The Heck is Norse Airways?

Norse Atlantic Airways is a Norwegian budget airline. All of their flights are across the Atlantic from major U.S. cities to destinations in Europe including London, Paris, Rome, Oslo, and others. They’ve also added Bangkok and Cape Town, so they’re expanding.

It’s a relatively new airline, founded in 2021. While low-cost airlines are popular, low-cost, long-haul airlines are a different ball game. That’s the game Norse plays.

So if you’re looking to cross the Atlantic Ocean as cheaply as possible (like me), Norse is one of only a few options.

When (and for whom) It Makes Sense to Fly Norse

Cross-Atlantic budget travelers

This is kinda an oxymoron. Because, well, if you’re traveling across an ocean, you probably have some disposable income. But I still like to get the best price possible, even if that means I end up in a middle seat, with no overhead bag, and bringing my own meals. If that sounds like you, Norse is great. That is me.

If that is not you, have fun on United or Delta or British Airways, or whatever well-known airline.

Norse will NOT be a good deal if you’re going to get upgrades.

Everything is extra. For example, the “Premium” option is nearly $200 more.

And this isn’t some kind of elevated experience. The base “Premium” fare still doesn’t include a checked bag. Basically, anything besides Economy is not a great deal, and the economy is bare-bones. No meal service. No carry-on. No option to change your flights, even for a fee. So if you’re going to check a bag, look elsewhere.

Norse is great if you plan well in advance. That’s where the best deals are.

If you book last minute, you can still get good deals. However, if you book months out, you can get a great deal.

For example, I’m browsing New York to London four months in advance, and there are great deals as long as you don’t mind leaving on a Tuesday or Friday.

My favorite way to browse the cheapest flight options and compare airlines is to use a tool called Kiwi.com.

Note: This is an affiliate link. So if you book through Kiwi, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. Although transparently, I use Kiwi to browse.

Norse is NOT a good choice if there’s a chance you’ll need to change your flight.

Once, I had a Norse flight booked, but one month before the flight, I had a family emergency. I had to fly home early. I tried to see if I could get my flight changed, even if there was a fee, and I had to pay the difference.

Their terms and fees are so unrealistic changing flights, that I ended up just eating that cost and buying a different flight with a different airline.

Booking Experience: Pretty Good

I have no complaints about their website or the process. Their website is clean and user-friendly, and I like that it’s easy to see the costs of flights for every day of the month. This way, I can just plan on leaving the cheapest day. This is how you get sub $200 flights across Oceans.

Clear Upgrades

While the upgrades are expensive, at least it’s obvious what it is you’re getting and what you’re not. At least they don’t hide it.

(Although here you’ll realize it may not be so “budget” after all.)

Pre-Flight Customer Service: Unresponsive, Unhelpful, and Unaccommodating

I’ll preface this with the fact that I have always bought economy. So you could say, “Well, you should’ve got premium.” But that would’ve defeated the entire point of taking a budget airline.

Call me entitled, but I think even economy customers should get responses from customer service. The keyword there is “customer.”

If You Have to Change Your Flight with Norse, You Might as Well Take the L

Book your flight knowing you’re screwed if you gotta change it. They have crazy fees and limited options for doing so. Even with Premium, there’s a fee for changing, and you’ll pay the difference on the flight, which, if you’re changing flights, will probably cost more than your original flight.

The only way to contact customer service is through email. It will take them a while to get back, and then the answer will most likely be that you’re out of luck.

I’m not saying don’t book because of this. But have confidence in your plans. If they change, just accept that you’re not getting any money back, you can’t rebook for a reasonable price, and you can’t just change the date of your flight. This means you won’t get any flight credit for canceling either.

Airport Check-In Experience: Frustrating

I’ve always had some kind of hiccup checking in at the airport with Norse.

They Weigh Everything

Make sure your bag is not one millimeter too wide or one once too heavy, otherwise they will make you pay extra then and there.

They will even weigh your carry-on bag. This experience is time-consuming and annoying. I’m warning you now: make sure your bag is under the size requirements.

They even have one of those things you have to shove your bag into. And you will not sneak anything by them.

They’re Generally Unhelpful

Even though I put in my TSA Pre-Check number online, they wanted to confirm it. The problem is they confirmed it wrong, even after I repeated it several times. Then when I went through security, I had to go back to the Norse check-in because TSA wouldn’t let me through.

If TSA weren’t chill about it, I could’ve had to wait in the TSA line again.

If there’s a story where the TSA is the good guy, you know that’s not a glowing review.

Avoid This By Taking Care of Everything Beforehand

Have your TSA number ready. Make sure your bag is under the restrictions, ideally with breathing room so they don’t give you a hard time.

Once you’ve passed this point, it gets better.

In-Flight Experience: Very Good for The Price

Okay, I know I’ve been hard on Norse. But once you’re onboard, all is well in the world. Budget airlines like Spirit have a reputation for a bad in-flight experience. That’s not the case with Norse.

The Seats Are Cozy and Pretty Spacious

The legroom for economy is pretty good. I’m so upset at myself for not taking good photos for you, but you have the basics.

There’s a good-sized tray table and a pouch in front of your seat.

Every Norse flight I’ve been on has been a big flight, so it’s not surprising that it’s spacious.

The Entertainment Selection is Good

They had TVs too and a good selection of movies. For long flights, this is nice.

No Wifi

They don’t have wifi, though. So bring a book to read.

Friendly Staff, Competent Flight Attendants

I have nothing noteworthy at all to report about the flight attendants or onboard staff. They are much better than the airport staff. They’re professional, kind, and did their jobs.

Food: I Didn’t Get It, But It Looks Fine

Since I got Economy, I didn’t have onboard meals. It looks like typical airplane food. Bring your own. For me, that meant a bodega sandwich near JFK airport in New York. Airplane food is always overpriced and subpar anyway.

Overall, Norse Can Be a Great Deal If You Travel Light

At the end of every Norse flight I’ve thought to myself, “That was pretty good, I would fly with Norse again.”

And frankly, if you travel light and don’t change your travel plans, you’ll likely have no issues at all. If you struggle to pack light, I dedicate two chapters in my ebook to help you do exactly that.

But I can’t pretend all I’ve got are nice things to say about Norse. They’re not my first choice for a cross-Atlantic flight.

Other Budget Transatlantic Airlines to Consider

LEVEL Airlines is the best deal for getting to Spain from the U.S, maybe the best deal to get to Europe, period. You can see my full review of LEVEL here.

If you’re headed to Paris, which can also work as a great hub to get elsewhere, check out French Bee. They also have crazy good deals.

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