Press release -

Norwegian launches UK’s first low-cost route to South America

Airline grows long-haul network with first route to Buenos Aires

Valentine’s Day celebration as the new route to the ‘Paris of South America’ takes off

Affordable fares from £259.90 one-way break current monopoly on direct London to Argentina flights

Norwegian, voted world’s best low-cost long-haul airline, is continuing its global expansion today by launching the UK’s first low fare route to South America, with a non-stop service from London Gatwick to Buenos Aires.

The new year-round service of four weekly flights from London Gatwick to Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport breaks the monopoly on direct flights to Argentina with fares starting from £259.90 one-way, offering passengers more choice and lower fares.

Love was in the air today at London Gatwick as passengers on the inaugural got to enjoy a Valentine’s Day themed departure gate celebration as they headed to the ‘Paris of South America’. Passengers were surprised with a tango performance as well as learning a few steps for themselves, meaning they could tango their way to Buenos Aires!

Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said: “Today we have marked the start of our new expansion into South America by bringing a taste of Argentina to London Gatwick. I am delighted to bring our high quality long-haul flights to another continent as we launch the only direct flight from London Gatwick to Buenos Aires, giving leisure and business passengers affordable access to South America.

“Our first flight to Buenos Aires from the UK marks another milestone for Norwegian. As our first South American route takes off, it is also a first step towards ambitious plans for international and domestic growth in Argentina, ahead of flights to Chicago and Austin from London Gatwick next month.”

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said: “The launch of Norwegian’s first ever South American route is another exciting landmark in Gatwick’s ongoing mission to connect the UK to more and more long-haul destinations. The airport now offers 63 long-haul connections – with many, including Buenos Aires, operated by low-cost carriers – making Gatwick the busiest departure airport for low-cost long-haul services in the world.

“We’re going to continue breaking new ground this year and remain focused on strengthening Gatwick’s global reach at a time when worldwide connections are crucial for the UK. In fact, two new Norwegian routes to Austin and Chicago will follow the Buenos Aires service into Gatwick’s schedules next month alone.”

Argentina Ambassador Carlos Sersale di Cerisano said: “This first direct flight from Norwegian connecting London Gatwick to Buenos Aires is great news for Argentina, as means more travelers can fall in love with our fantastic country.

“In the past two years the capacity for international flights connecting Argentina to the world has risen by 21%, contributing to a boost of foreign tourists from 5.9 to 6.7 million. This new flight is another step towards our target of 9 million visitors by 2020 (set by the Argentine Ministry of Tourism) as Norwegian’s growth plans for international and domestic flights from Argentina take-off.”

Norwegian’s long-haul flights from London Gatwick are exclusively operated by a fleet of brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Passengers can enjoy a spacious, modern economy cabin with seatback inflight entertainment and fares from £259.90 one way to Buenos Aires.

A new extended Premium cabin is being introduced with 60% more seats for passengers wanting an enhanced experience. The new 56 seat cabin configuration will offer passengers more than a metre of legroom, complimentary meal service, generous baggage allowance and airport lounge access, with Premium fares available from £699.90 one way.

Buenos Aires will be Norwegian’s 11th route launched from London Gatwick in the past four years and by the end of March, Norwegian will become the second largest long-haul airline at Gatwick with 13 direct long-haul routes following the launch of Singapore in September, Buenos Aires in February and Chicago and Austin in March 2018.

Norwegian Reward members will be able to earn and spend CashPoints - the currency for Norwegian’s award-winning loyalty programme, Norwegian Reward.

Norwegian carries more than 5.8 million UK passengers each year to over 50 global destinations. The airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world with an average age of 3.6 years, and more than 200 new aircraft on order. Norwegian was awarded the ‘World's best low-cost long-haul airline’ for the third consecutive year at the SkyTrax World Airline Awards.

Book now: visit www.norwegian.com or call 0330 8280854

– ENDS –

Notes to editors

Fares are based on the lowest available fare per person and include all mandatory taxes and charges.

Flight schedule from 14th February (local time):

London Gatwick to Buenos Aires International Airport:

Departs Gatwick: 21:30 – Wednesday, Saturday

Arrives Buenos Aires: 08:15+1

Departs Gatwick: 06:50 – Friday, Monday

Arrives Buenos Aires: 17:35

Buenos Aires International Airport to London Gatwick:

Departs Buenos Aires: 13:00 – Thursday, Sunday

Arrives Gatwick: 05:00+1

Departs Buenos Aires: 21:20 – Friday, Monday

Arrives Gatwick: 13:20+1

Topics

Norwegian in the UK:

  • Norwegian carries 5.8 million UK passengers each year from London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester Airports to 50 destinations worldwide
  • Norwegian is the third largest airline at London Gatwick, with 4.6 million yearly passengers, and with more than 1,000 UK-based pilots and cabin crew
  • In 2014, Norwegian introduced the UK’s first low-cost, long haul flights to the U.S. - the airline now flies to 11 U.S destinations, Buenos Aires and Singapore
  • In 2017, Norwegian also launched affordable transatlantic flights from Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Shannon to the US East Coast, using the brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft
  • 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, Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737-800s
  • Norwegian has been voted ‘Europe’s best low-cost carrier’ by passengers for five consecutive years at SkyTrax World Airline Awards from 2013-2017, along with being awarded the ‘World's best low-cost long-haul airline’ in 2015, 2016 and 2017
  • Norwegian Reward is the airline's free to join award-winning loyalty programme offering members CashPoints and Rewards that reduce the cost of Norwegian flights

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

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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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