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
- 1
- 2N0302 - Premium - New York → Paris - Boeing 787-9
Norse Atlantic Airways operates from Terminal 7, which recently saw the departure of British Airways, to New York JFK.
From JFK, Norse offers flights to Berlin, London LGW, Oslo, Paris CDG and Rome FCO.
check-in
The wait for check-in is minimal; I collect my boarding pass from a smiling agent.
Quick passage through TSA formalities (identity verification, then security) thanks to a fast-track queue for Premium passengers.
Terminal 7 at JFK is fairly standard for an American airport.
With a large food court for those wishing to dine before the flight.
boarding
Although our plane arrived on time, it was unable to reach its gate because it was still occupied by a late flight. In the end, it was not until around 1am that boarding began, but always with respect for priorities.
Boarding through gate 2L.
On the right, the 282-seat economy cabin in 3-3-3 …
… and on the left, the Premium cabin with 56 seats in 2-3-2 configuration.
Unlike the outbound flight, all seats have Norse headrests.
The Premium seat is the 3050 FeatherWeight from HAECO Americas.
The pitch (spacing between seats) is one of the best on the market at 43 inches (109cm), compared with 38 inches on most airlines in this class of travel.
I'll be occupying seat 7A, which I'd pre-selected.
Adjustable headrest.
Jacket and coat hook.
Individual universal socket.
Cabin equipment is limited to this bottle of water.
The crew offers a welcome drink: water or fruit juice.
We start taxiing for runway 22R in gloomy weather.
The cabin is pitch-dark.
in flight
Goodbye JFK!
I switch on the entertainment screen in the armrest.
No map, just time remaining and flight information. According to the president of Norse, the interactive map option would be too expensive to offer.
dinner
The crew's first stop is to offer a blanket and a pair of headphones (offered in Premium).
Then the aperitif: I opt for a Gin & Tonic.
dinner
The box offered is different from the one on the outbound flight, this one bearing the caterer's logo: Gate Group.
Choice of two hot breads.
The box includes a starter, the chosen main course, a dessert, a piece of butter and disposable plastic cutlery (nicer than the wooden ones on the outbound flight).
The starter is a small chicken salad.
Choice of hot dishes: chicken and pasta or …
… beef balls, tomato sauce and mashed potatoes.
The portion sizes were right, and I liked the chicken, but not the meatballs: a little bland and served with a too-liquid mashed potato.
Red fruit cheesecake.
Excellent!
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS
The interface is available in English only, and the home screen features 4 categories.
Films can be filtered by novelty or style.
The catalog remains limited, with 30 different titles.
TV programs are a little more extensive, with 60 titles to suit all tastes: documentaries, TV series, children's programs.
And finally, a category on the airline and its philosophy.
rest
The seat has a good recline and an integrated leg rest …
…but don't forget to bring your pillow.
The cabin is turned back on 1 hour and 20 minutes before arrival, which is a little too early for the service we offer. 1 hour or 45 minutes before arrival would be sufficient.
It's daylight outside.
breakfast
Service is by trolley. Note the prosecco in evidence for those wishing a mimosa.
Breakfast consists of a hot sandwich and two mini chocolate brownies.
Turkey and cheese sandwich with pretzel-type bread, not bad.
Flight over Guernsey's Alderney Island
Then the port of Le Havre.
No time for a movie, I'm watching "Listing Impossible".
approach and arrival
Approach for runway 09R.
Followed by a quick taxi to our parking spot at Terminal 3.
Disembarkation necessarily on foot and by bus here.
Thanks to LN-FNA "Heart of the Valley".
Express immigration clearance, as we were the only flight at the time.
PRACTICAL
Norse Atlantic Airways is offering daily flights between Paris CDG and New York JFK this summer. 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.
