When it comes to transatlantic travel, travelers today have plenty of airline options. From legacy carriers to new low-cost players, the choices can seem overwhelming. One of the rising stars in this space is Norse Atlantic Airways, a budget-friendly airline that has quickly carved a niche for itself. But how does Norse Atlantic Airways truly stack up against its competitors when it comes to price, comfort, service, and overall value? In this article, we’ll compare Norse Atlantic Airways to other key airlines and help you decide if it’s the best option for your next trip.

About Norse Atlantic Airways

Norse Atlantic Airways launched operations in 2021 as a fresh alternative to costly transatlantic flights. Targeting routes between Europe and North America, Norse aims to offer affordable long-haul options, much like its spiritual predecessor, Norwegian Air Shuttle. Operating primarily Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the airline promises fuel efficiency, lower ticket costs, and a straightforward pricing model designed to appeal to budget-conscious travelers.

Ticket Pricing and Fare Options

When travelers consider value, airfare is usually the first factor they evaluate. Norse Atlantic Airways markets itself as a low-cost airline, offering one-way transatlantic fares that often undercut competitors like British Airways, American Airlines, and Lufthansa by a significant margin.

For example, a one-way economy fare between New York (JFK) and London Gatwick on Norse Atlantic may start as low as $129, while traditional carriers might price similar routes at $300 or more. However, Norse operates a “pay-for-what-you-use” model: checked bags, seat selection, meals, and priority boarding all come at extra cost.

In contrast, competitors such as Delta or United often include some of these amenities in their standard economy pricing, which may provide more convenience for travelers unwilling to manage add-ons separately.

Verdict: If your goal is the absolute lowest base fare, Norse Atlantic Airways clearly wins. For travelers who prefer an all-inclusive price, legacy airlines might feel like a better value.

In-Flight Comfort and Experience

Flying long distances means comfort matters, even on budget carriers. Norse Atlantic Airways operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners — an advantage over some competitors, as these aircraft feature better air quality, larger windows, and improved noise reduction.

Norse’s economy seats offer a standard 31-inch pitch, similar to most legacy airlines in standard economy. However, the airline also offers a "Premium" class with wider seats and greater recline at a fraction of what traditional carriers charge for premium economy.

When compared to airlines like British Airways or Lufthansa, Norse’s Premium cabin offers fewer frills (e.g., no lounge access or free alcohol), but the seat itself is often more spacious than standard economy options on other carriers.

Verdict: Norse’s modern aircraft and solid Premium cabin make it competitive, but the lack of complimentary services may matter to comfort seekers used to full-service airlines.

Baggage and Extra Fees

This is an area where many budget airlines, including Norse Atlantic Airways, differ from traditional competitors. Norse uses an “unbundled” pricing strategy. Travelers can purchase only what they need — whether that’s a carry-on bag, checked luggage, meals, or Wi-Fi — keeping the base fare low.

On the flip side, airlines like Delta or American Airlines typically offer a free carry-on bag and sometimes free checked luggage for certain ticket classes or frequent flyers. These extras can add up fast on Norse if not carefully planned.

For example:

• Norse Atlantic Airways: Base fare + carry-on + checked bag + meal = total closer to a standard airline fare.

• Delta/United: Higher upfront fare but includes many of these features.

Verdict: Travelers who pack light and skip extras will save big on Norse. Those who require baggage and onboard services may find little price difference after fees are added.

Routes and Destination Options

Currently, Norse Atlantic Airways primarily serves key transatlantic routes such as New York, Los Angeles, Oslo, London, and Paris. While the network is growing, it remains limited compared to giants like Lufthansa, British Airways, or American Airlines that offer hundreds of destinations across the globe.

For example, if you want to fly from New York to Berlin or Rome, you may need to book additional flights or connections. Full-service airlines generally provide more direct routes to secondary cities, as well as robust codeshare partnerships that give passengers more flexibility.

Verdict: Norse is ideal for point-to-point travel on popular transatlantic routes. For complex itineraries, legacy carriers remain superior.Onboard Entertainment and Amenities

One area where Norse Atlantic Airways falls short compared to full-service airlines is onboard entertainment. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own devices, and in some cases, entertainment options are limited. Major airlines like Lufthansa or British Airways offer expansive libraries of movies, music, and games on seatback screens.

Additionally, Wi-Fi is not always available on Norse flights or may cost extra — something that’s becoming standard on other transatlantic airlines.

Verdict: Norse lags in entertainment compared to its full-service rivals, but this may not matter to travelers content with their own devices.

Customer Service and Reliability

As a new airline, Norse Atlantic Airways has had few reported service disruptions. However, because its network is small, rebooking options during delays may be more limited than those offered by established carriers with multiple daily flights.

In contrast, competitors like Delta or Lufthansa can easily reroute passengers via hubs in case of disruptions.

Verdict: Legacy airlines are more reliable during travel disruptions, but Norse’s punctuality record is strong so far.

Final Verdict: Is Norse Atlantic Airways the Best Value?

For budget-conscious travelers who prioritize low fares and are willing to forego frills, Norse Atlantic Airways offers unbeatable base prices on key transatlantic routes. Its modern fleet, simple booking system, and competitive Premium cabin pricing make it an appealing choice.