Norwegian Air made headlines in September when it launched its inaugural flight from London to Singapore, the longest low-cost flight in the world at 12 hours and 45 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
What it's like to fly Norwegian Air, the airline with the world's longest low-cost route from London to Singapore
"For the budget traveller, Norwegian is a game changer."
The trip — from London Gatwick to Singapore Changi Airport — covers 6,764 miles (10,885 km) and runs four times per week, using brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
"LowFare" seats currently start from £179.90 ($235) one-way in basic economy — or £699.90 ($914) in Premium class — although LowFare doesn't include a checked bag, seat selection, or meal service.
And this isn't the only crazy-cheap long-haul deal with the airline. In February, it announced that it will launch flights from the US Northeast to Europe for as low as $65 (£50), as well as direct flights from London to Chicago and Austin from £179 ($234). In February 2018, Norwegian will also start flying to Buenos Aires.
ADVERTISEMENT
They're pretty great deals on paper — but what can you expect?
We spoke to bloggers and the airline itself to find out what it's really like to fly long-haul on Norwegian — both in Premium and Economy class.
Emily McNutt, the associate editor at The Points Guy, who managed to snag a round-trip flight from New York to Oslo for $388 (£297) including seat selection, told Business Insider that "for the budget traveller, Norwegian is a game changer."
From check-in to landing, scroll down to see what it's really like to fly Norwegian.
Norwegian Air launched its London to Singapore route in September, the longest low-cost flight in the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
The airline held a special Singaporean themed celebration to mark the inaugural flight from London's Gatwick to Singapore Changi Airport.
But what's it actually like on board?
We spoke to bloggers — including The Points Guy associate editor Emily NcNutt — and the airline itself to find out what it's really like to fly long-haul on Norwegian, both in Premium and Economy class, all around the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
McNutt managed to snag a round-trip flight from New York JFK to Oslo for $388 (£297) including seat selection, testing out both economy and bulkhead seats.
The long-haul flights use brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which the airline says is "faster, greener, and helps reduce the effects of jet lag."
The airline said the planes are made of material which "allows the cabin can be more highly pressurised and enables passengers’ bodies to absorb more oxygen," uses high-efficiency air filters to make the air "cleaner and healthier," as well as noise-reducing engines.
Check-in opens up to four hours before departure. McNutt called the check-in process at JFK "seamless," saying it took only four minutes.
Here's what check-in looks like at Singapore Changi Airport.
ADVERTISEMENT
A little less polished than the previous image.
LowFare seats don't include a checked bag, seat selection, or food. However, the LowFare+ option — which is an extra £50 ($65) each way — includes a 20kg checked bag, meal service, and seat reservation. Premium passengers can check up to two 20kg bags.
"Just know that it is a low-cost carrier, so you will be charged for things you'll usually get for free on legacy carriers," McNutt said. "As long as you go into the flight and booking with that notion already in your head, you'll come out ahead. You're getting a cheap ticket, and if you can avoid added fees, you're set."
ADVERTISEMENT
The woman in the Instagram post above travelled with her cat.
Premium passengers will also receive a complimentary invite to No1 Lounges — such as the one at Gatwick — with their boarding pass.
They can also "turn left" at security and benefit from the Premium fast track lane.
This is what the lounge looks like at Gatwick.
ADVERTISEMENT
Travel Codex blogger Sriram Srinivasan — who took a Premium class Norwegian flight in December last year from London Gatwick to Boston – told Business Insider: "The lounge itself was fine, and had terrific views of the Gatwick apron from the back windows. However, I found it very crowded, as the photos show."
However, he added that it was under construction at the time.
There is a buffet of snacks in the lounge, as well as an a la carte menu — which is free to order from for Norwegian customers flying in Premium.
Passengers are called to the departure gate 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, and boarding starts 60 minutes before the departure time. However, McNutt said: "Norwegian’s boarding process is hectic to say the least, and is essentially a free-for-all on a first-come-first-serve basis.
"When boarding time draws near, people just start lining up — this ends up creating a huge line that weaved through the gate area and, in more than one instance, blocked foot traffic in the main hallway of the terminal," she wrote.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, she added that the overhead bins on the Dreamliner are "massive" and she was able to put a full-sized carry-on bag in as well as a jacket.
This is what the economy cabin of the new Dreamliner — which McNutt called "one of the most advanced aircraft in the skies" — looks like on board.
"It's an incredibly comfortable journey from a passenger perspective — it's much more quiet than older aircraft, the mood lighting functionality makes the cabin more cozy and the window dimming feature is a huge benefit," McNutt said.
She was referring to the fact that the hue of the cabin changes up to six times during the flight in order to "provide an ambient background."
"All economy seats come with 31-32 inches of pitch," McNutt said. "It’s a pretty tight squeeze in standard economy, as you can see in the photo."
ADVERTISEMENT
"Each window has its own dimming button, which controls the amount of light you get through the window," she wrote.
Meanwhile, here's the new Premium cabin. Screens and tray-tables come out of the arm rests.
A journalist who took the inaugural flight from London to Singapore looked pretty comfy in Premium.
The journalist, Rachel Hosie, wrote for The Independent: "It didn’t feel remotely claustrophobic, and I was able to constantly change my position, switching from stretching out to crossing my legs to folding them in my seat. This meant I never started to feel stiff, uncomfortable or like I needed to get up for a walk."
ADVERTISEMENT
However, she said: "The economy seats, however, were on the small side – just 79cm of legroom. And to be totally honest, I think that would be a pretty uncomfortable 13 hours."
This passenger at Gatwick also seems pretty pleased with her Premium seat.
The seats have more than a metre of legroom.
Premium passengers are welcomed on board with a selection of complimentary soft drinks before the flight takes off — but there's plenty of booze available once in the air.
ADVERTISEMENT
An hour-and-a-half after take-off on a long-haul flight, the first meal service starts, both in Economy and Premium. McNutt had the option of chicken or fish on one of her flights. "The chicken was in a BBQ-esque sauce, which was pretty good, but the chicken itself tasted a bit rubbery," she wrote. "The mashed potatoes and vegetables were both good, though. I also enjoyed the pasta side and the truffle for dessert."
While no meal is included for LowFare passengers, they can pay extra for it. Those in LowFare+ economy and above will receive a meal.
On the London to Singapore Flight, economy passengers can choose between braised beef tender in red wine sauce, mashed potatoes, and carrots, or roast chicken with tomato Provençale sauce, quinoa, and roasted vegetables.
Premium meals come with a choice of chicken with roasted garlic potatoes and Romanesco with tarragon sauce; Beef in peppercorn sauce with mashed potatoes and vegetables; or prawns in a Provençale sauce with wild rice, broccoli, and oven roasted tomatoes.
On the inaugural Singapore flight, Hosie opted for the chicken which "tasted better than it looked."
ADVERTISEMENT
"Alongside the hot meal was a side salad of beans, tomatoes, feta and red onions, a bread roll, and a stellar cheesecake which seemed to be infused with rose essence," she added.
If you don't want a hot meal — or don't want to pay for one — there's also an onboard digital snack bar you can order from (for a cost).
Here's another meal McNutt had — pasta with vegetables, a fresh fruit cup, and a salad. "The pasta was tasty and the fruit and salad were both very fresh," she wrote. "With meal service, you’re allowed one complimentary drink and I opted for white wine, which was pleasant."
"I found the quality of the food to be perfectly fine for an economy meal," McNutt told Business Insider. "All of the meals I've had on board were tasty."
Srinivasana told Business Insider there was a choice of Bailey's or cognac after dinner. "The cognac was of decent quality (Baron Otard VSOP)," he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
"One of the best things about long-haul flights is the constant stream of food and drink, which was certainly forthcoming in premium," Hosie wrote, adding that the cabin was "well topped-up with beverages by the attentive staff."
This wasn't the case in economy.
Mid-way through a long-haul flight, passengers will receive a snack. McNutt got a grilled vegetable wrap, a fruit dish, and a cup of coffee, and said she was "very pleased" with the meal. "The veggie wrap had a lot of flavour to it and the fruit dish was fresh and delicious."
On the Singapore route, this is a peri peri wrap for Premium passengers or a cheese and tomato sandwich in Economy.
On her return flight, she got a ham and cheese sandwich, a chocolate chip cookie, and apple juice. "What was really nice, though, was the way it was delivered, in a little red bag with a cute quote on the side."
ADVERTISEMENT
On the Singapore route — the longest one — there's another meal service 1.5 hours before landing.
Cumberland sausage, grilled tomato, and cheese omelette in economy, or for Premium passengers, an English breakfast of Cumberland sausage, back bacon, scrambled eggs, grilled tomato, and sautéed mushrooms.
All seats have 11” Panasonic monitors for complimentary inflight entertainment, as well as USB ports for charging personal electronic devices. "The entertainment options on both flights were great," McNutt said. "Overall, I was impressed with what was available and everything appeared to be the same on both flights."
This traveller even complimented the design of the entertainment system.
ADVERTISEMENT
McNutt said: "As for flight crew, all of those I've come in contact with have been beyond friendly. I always say service can make or break a flight, and the Norwegian flight attendants I've come in contact with have all gone above-and-beyond to be helpful."
"My overall experience was great — I would highly recommend it," McNutt went on, adding that the airline is "on par with legacy carriers." "The seats are comfortable, the service is friendly, and the IFE system has a wide selection."
"It's hard to find a lot to complain about when you're paying less than $300 (£230) for a round-trip ticket to Europe," she added.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Next story
ADVERTISEMENT