Why you should fly Norwegian Airlines
With intriguing prices like $300 round trip to Spain, $400 to Thailand, etc it’s easy to get wrapped up in the idea of cheap flights. Voted World's Best Long Haul, Low-Cost Airline by SkyTrax World Airline Awards three years in a row the real question is, are these flights worth it or will you be kicking yourself for not spending more money. For the first time I flew Norwegian, from Los Angeles to Madrid, and let me tell you there is definitely a learning curve for taking a “budget” airlines vs. a non-budget airline. Below are some of my tips for surviving a flight on a budget airlines.
The down low on Norwegian Airlines below:
Fare Types for international long haul flights
LowFare
1 carry-on bag (10 kg) (SOME AIRPORTS WILL WEIGH YOUR BAG-we learned this the hard way)
Optional add-ons: Checked baggage, seat reservation (Economy), Fast Track (selected airports), onboard meals, travel blanket, and headsets, Priority Boarding (selected airports).
LowFare+
1 carry-on bag (10 kg)
1 checked bag (20 kg)
Seat reservation (Economy)*
Onboard meals
**Seat Reservation is not included for flights between Amsterdam and New York
Optional add-ons: Fast Track (selected airports), travel blanket, Priority Boarding (selected airports), and headsets.
Flex
1 carry-on bag (10 kg)
2 checked bags (20 kg each)
Seat reservation (Economy)
Fast Track (selected airports)
Onboard meals
Priority Boarding (selected airports)
Optional add-ons: Travel blanket and headsets.
Premium
1 carry-on bag (10 kg)
2 checked bags (20 kg each)
Seat reservation (Premium)
Premium onboard meals
Fast Track (selected airports)
Priority Boarding (selected airports)
PremiumFlex
1 carry-on bag (15 kg)
2 checked bags (20 kg each)
Seat reservation (Premium)
Premium onboard meals
Fast Track (selected airports)
Lounge (selected airports)
Priority Boarding (selected airports)
Depending on what best suits your needs pick your ticket and your off! I do recommend not going bare bones on this because incase you need to check your carry-on due to weigh you could be out anywhere from $70-$100 USD to check your bag when you get to the airport. The LowFare+ will allow you room for error in case they are super strict with the carry-ons.
Below are my top tips for flying with Norwegian
Allow plenty of time at the airport-A lot of Norwegian flights to and from the US do not allow any type of mobile check-in or even self-serve check in once you get to the airport. In Madrid this added about an hour to our airport experience.
Wear Layers/Bring a travel blanket-Unlike most airlines that provide blankets and pillows Norwegian does not. They offer them for purchase for $5. Our flight wasn’t too cold but I have read reviews that people have had near arctic temperatures. Pack an extra scarf, wear layers, and if you are prone to getting cold easily purchase a small, light weight blanket like this . Super portable and soft!
Buy snacks/eat a meal before your flight-While Norwegian offers plenty of snacks and drinks for purchase, they are expensive. The fare I traveled on included two meals and they weren’t the best but they sufficed for the 12 hours we were on the plane. I recommend bringing some nuts and granola bars to hold you over until you get to your destination.
Bring headphones with a normal headphone jack!-Most of us have wireless headphones or those silly headphones with the iPhone adapter. Well unless you want to purchase them during your flight I recommend bring a cheap pair that you don’t care about losing. The In-flight entertainment is pretty robust and included movies, games and TV shows so there will be plenty to do during your flight. The headphones they sell are about $3, again an a la carte airlines :)
Have your USB cords easily accessible-Surprisingly, most Norwegian flights are on brand new Dreamliners and have USB ports at each seat! Nothing is worse than arriving at your destination with a dead phone so be sure to charge up!
If you don’t mind a la carte airlines, without any frills Norwegian will do the job. The flight attendants were pleasant, and my 12 hour flight flew by and for $350 I would definitely do it again.