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Press release -

Norwegian’s UK expansion cleared for take-off in biggest ever year

Low-cost airline Norwegian is ready to take-off its biggest year ever, with the introduction of brand new aircraft, exclusive new routes - including its first long-haul flights outside the USA - and more affordable flights on the UK’s only direct low-cost transatlantic services.

Europe’s third largest low-cost airline will continue its success in 2017 by expanding its young aircraft fleet with nine brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and launching Boeing’s latest aircraft, the Boeing 737 MAX. These new aircraft will unlock more affordable flights and never before seen routes while offering UK passengers, high-quality travel at great value.

Norwegian last year, carried more than 4.5 million passengers from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham airports. The fast growing airline launched more than 10 new routes from the UK, including routes to Boston, Oakland-San Francisco and Las Vegas on its award-winning USA flights at a time when Norwegian flew more than four million passengers to and from Gatwick for the first time in a single year.

With 2017 set to be Norwegian’s busiest ever year, here are five developments to expect:

  1. Norwegian’s first low-cost long-haul routes outside the US Following the success of Norwegian’s affordable flights to the US, the airline plans to continue its long-haul expansion with new low-cost routes to other global markets and destinations. Norwegian plans to announce its first non-US long-haul routes later this year once plans are finalised.
  2. New transatlantic routes from more UK cities using Boeing’s newest aircraft – Norwegian will become the first European airline to fly the new Boeing 737 MAX this summer to kickstart a new era in transatlantic travel. These single aisle aircraft can fly longer distances, offering customers potential never before seen routes from Europe to the east coast of the US at very attractive fares.Norwegian plans to announce a series of transatlantic routes from UK cities to the US east coast early in 2017.
  3. Increased flights from London to the USA giving consumers greater choice – This summer, Norwegian will expand its award-winning USA flights by 55 per cent to offer 34 direct flights per week from Gatwick. This includes double daily services to New York and a daily service to Los Angeles in addition to increases on the popular Oakland-San Francisco, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale routes.
  4. More state-of-the-art aircraft joining Norwegian’s long-haul fleet – Norwegian’s first Boeing 787-9 aircraft arrived at Gatwick in 2016, with nine more 787-9 Dreamliners landing in Norwegian’s fleet this year. These state-of-the-art aircraft will continue servicing direct affordable flights to the USA, offering all economy and Premium passengers’ inflight entertainment and reduced effects of jet lag.
  5. New job opportunities for a high-flying career with Norwegian – Norwegian’s UK growth is stimulating increased job opportunities for pilots and cabin crew as the airline will take delivery of more than 30 aircraft this year. Each aircraft will create up to 23 pilot jobs and 70 cabin crew roles. Opportunities are available at http://careers.norwegian.com/

Thomas Ramdahl, Chief Commercial Officer at Norwegian said: “Norwegian has seen rapid UK growth and this year will be no different. Through exciting new routes and even more low-cost USA flights at affordable fares, we will enhance the travel choices for UK consumers at a time when cost and great value are more important than ever. With more new aircraft servicing brand new routes we will continue delivering and expanding upon our high quality service in the skies.”

Seats are available to book now at www.norwegian.com/uk or dial 0330 8280854 (ext. 1)

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Norwegian in the UK:

  • Norwegian first launched UK flights in 2003 and now operates from London Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester Airports to more than 40 destinations worldwide
  • Norwegian is the third largest airline at London Gatwick, with 3.9 million yearly passengers, and with more than 700 pilots, cabin crew and staff working from its Gatwick base
  • In 2014, Norwegian introduced the UK’s first low-cost, long haul flights to the U.S. - the airline now flies to 8 U.S destinations with fares from just £135 one way
  • Norwegian is the only airline to offer free inflight WiFi on UK flights to more than 30 European destinations
  • The airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world with an average age of 3.6 years, including next-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 737-800s
  • Norwegian has been voted ‘Europe’s best low-cost carrier’ by passengers for four consecutive years at SkyTrax World Airline Awards from 2013-2016, along with being awarded the ‘World's best low-cost long-haul airline’ in both 2015 and 2016

Contacts

For journalists only

For journalists only

Press contact Norwegian Press Office +47 815 11 816
Marketing/sponsorhip requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Marketing/sponsorhip requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Press contact Marketing/sponsorship requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Norwegian.com

The Norwegian group is a leading Nordic aviation company, headquartered at Fornebu outside Oslo, Norway. The company has over 8,200 employees and owns two of the prominent airlines in the Nordics: Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe’s Flyveselskap. Widerøe was acquired by Norwegian in 2024, aiming to facilitate seamless air travel across the two airline’s networks.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, the largest Norwegian airline with around 4,700 employees, operates an extensive route network connecting Nordic countries to key European destinations. In 2023, Norwegian carried over 20 million passengers and maintained a fleet of 87 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Widerøe’s Flyveselskap, Norway’s oldest airline, is Scandinavia’s largest regional carrier. The airline has more than 3,500 employees. Mainly operating the short-runway airports in rural Norway, Widerøe operates several state contract routes (PSO routes) in addition to its own commercial network. In 2023, the airline had 3.3 million passengers and a fleet of 48 aircraft, including 45 Bombardier Dash 8’s and three Embraer E190-E2's. Widerøe Ground Handling provides ground handling services at 41 Norwegian airports.

The Norwegian group has sustainability as a key priority and has committed to significantly reducing carbon emissions from its operations. Among numerous initiatives, the most noteworthy is the investment in production and use of fossil-free aviation fuel (SAF). Norwegian strives to become the sustainable choice for its passengers, actively contributing to the transformation of the aviation industry.

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