Norse Atlantic has confirmed its first transatlantic routes from the UK will launch in August.
The start-up carrier will offer a daily service between Gatwick and New York JFK from August 12, with flights departing London Gatwick at 1330 and arriving into New York at 1625. The return leg will leave the Big Apple at 1825, landing back into Gatwick at 0645 the following day.
The route will be operated by Norse Atlantic’s B787 Dreamliner aircraft, with tickets now available to purchase at flynorse.com and fares starting from £255 return.
Norse Atlantic will offer a two-class economy and premium layout on its B787s, the latter of which features a 43-inch seat pitch and 12-inch recline. There are three fare options – Light, Classic and Plus – the last of which includes “the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services, an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility”.
There had been speculation regarding the launch of transatlantic routes from Gatwick since the carrier announced it had secured slots at the airport “at no cost” back in March.
Norse Atlantic is also set to launch flights from Oslo to JFK, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Los Angeles in the coming weeks, and said that “other US destinations will be announced soon”.
In addition the airline is to “temporarily” offer B787 flights between Gatwick and Oslo “from August and throughout the summer”, with fares starting from £41 each way.
Norse said that the move “will not only provide the most comfortable option to travel to Norway, they will also allow UK customers to take advantage of our flights from Oslo to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Los Angeles”.
As previously reported Norse plans to eventually operate a fleet of 15 B787 aircraft previously flown by Norwegian, but recently announced plans to sublease four of its Dreamliners to Air Europa, stating that they are now “aircraft that we were not planning to fully utilize in our start-up phase”.
Norse Atlantic Airways to lease four idle B787s to Air Europa
Norse Atlantic’s Gatwick-JFK service will be the second launch on the route in less than a year, with Jetblue having commenced flights in September 2021.
British Airways is also set to resume flights between Gatwick and New York JFK this week.
Commenting on the launch of Gatwick services Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said:
“We are very pleased to now be able to welcome customers looking to book great value flights between London Gatwick and New York JFK. Customers now have an affordable option allowing them to book a last-minute trip or a holiday of a lifetime with an airline that offers choice and flexibility.
“The introduction of affordable Norse Atlantic Airways point-to point flights between Europe and the United States, will benefit both local tourism and businesses. Not only are we directly investing in the countries that we operate by employing local staff but also supporting job creation across the wider tourism and service industry.”
Meanwhile Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Norse Atlantic Airways to Gatwick. It’s always great to see a new tail on the airfield but the arrival of a new airline following the turbulent past two years for the industry, and one that will be offering fantastic long-haul routes across the Atlantic, is particularly exciting news.
“Passengers across London and the South East will now be able to benefit from another transatlantic service from Gatwick, with Norse offering excellent value for money for those flying out for a dream holiday, or important business trip, to New York, one of the world’s most famous and dynamic cities.”
