Long-awaited, Norse Atlantic Airways finally touched down in Paris at the end of March, at the start of the IATA 2023 summer season, to offer the French market transatlantic low-cost flights. Reminiscent of the now-defunct Norwegian Long Haul, Norse Atlantic Airways aims to learn from the mistakes of the past, with an improved business model that is less aggressive and, above all, more sustainable. New York has been chosen as the first destination from Paris CDG. Flight-Report had the opportunity to test this new airline in Premium to present it to you.
Flight routing
- 1N0301 - Premium - Paris → New York - Boeing 787-9
- 2
As a low-cost carrier, Norse Atlantic Airways is present in Terminal 3 at Paris Charles de Gaulle: in fact, this is the easiest terminal to access by public transport, as it is directly linked to the Roissypole intermodal hub.
It may look like a hangar, but the terminal is spacious and easy to navigate, with check-in areas on either side.
check-in
For Norse Atlantic Airways, 5 counters are open.
A display promotes Premium class. The company also offers upgrades via an online auction system, with confirmation of the upgrade 4 hours before the flight. Of all Norse's routes, the CDG-JFK-CDG route is the most popular for this system, accounting for 39% of auction entries.
A queue and counter are dedicated to Premium passengers.
Check-in takes a while, with a thorough check of my ESTA and confirmation of accommodation in New York. The ink is very faint, which doesn't make it easy to scan the barcode for security.
Meanwhile, our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrives from New York JFK.
Despite the absence of a priority queue, security and immigration formalities are completed very quickly.
A few essential stores are present in the sub-customs area.
The boarding lounge is quite busy.
boarding
Boarding begins very early, about an hour before departure time. There is also a queue for Premium passengers.
Our plane is being refueled.
The bus is not dedicated to Premium passengers, but the journey to the aircraft is short.
Our aircraft of the day is the LN-FNC "Everglades". It is one of 4 Dreamliners in the Norwegian fleet, but Norse also has 4 other aircraft under its British AOC.
The Trent 1000 engine has been entrusted to Rolls Royce, and seems to have gained in reliability at last!
Departure scheduled for 20:00 local time.
on board
Welcome aboard the Boeing 787-9 Norse Atlantic Airways. There's a large 56-seat Premium cabin between gates 1 and 2, followed by a 282-seat Economy cabin.
The cabin is reminiscent of the Dreamliners of the late Norwegia, and for good reason: all Norse aircraft are former Norwegian aircraft, with one exception: …
… a decorative painting to match the aircraft's name. In this case, the focus is on Florida.
The Premium seat is the 3050 FeatherWeight from HAECO Americas, with integrated leg-rest and generous recline.
Pitch (spacing between seats) is one of the best on the market at 43 inches (109cm), compared with 38 inches on most airlines.
The controls are mechanical and easy to use.
The individual screen is located in the central armrest. Pull on the LIFT to extend it.
The fixed remote control, on the other hand, is mainly used for the reading light and the cabin crew call (as the screen is touch-sensitive).
Power sockets.
The headrest can be adjusted to 4 positions.
The backsplash on the front seat is sober, with just one coat hook …
… and a slot for the literature pocket, which includes the safety card and the on-board shopping card (food, drinks and duty-free sales).
The crew is very cheerful and begins ground service with the offer of a welcome drink(soft drinks only).
Then a bottle of water is handed out.
The mood lighting is activated when we are ready for departure.
Safety instructions are given manually.
A silent start - one of the Dreamliner's assets.
Departure from runway 09R.
in flight
Goodbye Paris.
Quick turn to the left, heading northwest.
The welcome screen with an aurora borealis as a signature of the company's visual identity.
No map is available to follow the flight path, so we have to make do with this general information, which does indicate the remaining flight time.
The crew makes a first pass to distribute the blanket and headphones (offered in Premium).
The blanket is fleece-like, but not very thick.
dinner
We offer an aperitif with a full selection of wines, spirits and soft drinks. No champagne, but an Italian sparkling wine (Bottega).
I opt for a Gin & Tonic.
It's a pity there's no savory mix to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
Dinner is then offered in this cardboard box, with a choice of two hot dishes. Unlike the first flights, an appetizer has now been added.
Without the lids.
The starter is a salad of broad beans, peppers and chickpeas.
Correct.
Salmon fillet with cream sauce, spinach, bell peppers and horseradish potato mash.
The salmon is excellent, nicely colored but still tender.
Second choice:
Chicken breast with tomato sauce, pearl barley with rice and vegetables
Also good and well spiced.
I accompany my meal with red wine.
Then coffee and Bailey's for dessert. A very good milk chocolate mousse.
Flying westward, the light is bright for several hours.
Most passengers are enjoying the entertainment system.
rest
Norse's Premium seat in reclining position. A pillow would be welcome to enhance comfort.
bob and duty free card
The on-board sales card (BOB for "Buy On Board") is present in each of the pockets. Unlike Norwegian, it is not possible to order from the screens.
Comfort items such as an inflatable neckband, blanket or headphones are included.
Various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Hot dishes, snacks and hot drinks.
And finally, a few duty-free products, mainly watches and perfumes.
The crew makes numerous passes with glasses of water and fruit juices.
entertainment system
The IFE offer will be detailed on the return flight, but here's the home screen with the 4 categories on offer.
snack
The second service is offered just over an hour before arrival.
A rolled margherita pizza …
… and macaroons.
approach and arrival
The cabin is prepared for arrival and switches to a "rainbow" sequence that Norwegian also used.
Short final to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Taxi to Terminal 7, with a bit of a wait on the taxiway until our gate clears.
Immigration will take a long time, as we arrive just after an SAS flight. It will take 1h15 to go through the formalities.
video
PRACTICE
This summer, Norse Atlantic Airways is offering a daily flight between Paris CDG and New York JFK. It also offers transatlantic connections from London LGW, Oslo, Stockholm and Berlin to the USA.
Norse Atlantic Airways' Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft are configured to seat 56 passengers in Premium and 282 in Economy.
Premium, Economy Classic and Economy Flextra customers can take one 10kg cabin bag and one accessory. Economy Light customers can only take one accessory, which must fit under the front seat. A 23kg hold bag is included for Economy Classic, Flextra and Premium Classic customers. Premium Flextra customers may take 2 hold baggage items weighing 23kg.
Trip realized by Flavien for Flight-Report with the participation of Norse Atlantic Airways.
