Press release -

Norwegian now largest non-US airline serving New York

Norwegian, has become the largest non-U.S. airline on transatlantic routes to and from the New York area based on passenger numbers. The airline carried 1.67 million international passengers to and from three of New York City’s airports according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s most recent traffic report, surpassing British Airways, which carried 1.63 million, to reach the top spot.

Since the beginning of 2018, Norwegian’s passenger numbers to and from New York City have continued to increase, the airline has now also overtaken Lufthansa and Emirates to reach the top spot in July. Norwegian operates 16 routes from three airports in the New York City area – John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International and Stewart International Airport to: Amsterdam; Barcelona; Belfast; Bergen; Copenhagen; Dublin; Edinburgh; Guadeloupe; London; Madrid; Martinique; Oslo; Paris; Rome; Shannon; and Stockholm. Norwegian launched its first route to New York on May 30, 2013 from Oslo and Stockholm on May 31, 2013.

Bjørn Kjos, Norwegian CEO and Founder, said: ““Passenger numbers by the NY/NJ Port Authority further endorses the strong demand for lower fares on lucrative transatlantic routes as we flew more customers to and from New York than any other international airline in the 12 months to July 2018.

“Fares have been too high for too long as transatlantic routes have been long dominated by carriers with outdated legacies running on fumes.

“In 12 months, 1.67 million customers benefited from the fantastic value we offer and Norwegian will continue to spread its wings to the Big Apple with a third-daily service between London and New York JFK from 28 October.

“With brand new aircraft that are the most fuel-efficient over the transatlantic skies, customers can look forward to receiving a high-quality flight experience to and from New York and globally with the leading premium low-fare airline.”

Whether travelling for business or leisure, in addition to a spacious Economy cabin, our Premium passengers travelling to New York can enjoy an enhanced service and extra comfort at greater value when flying long-haul. Premium passengers can check in two 20kg bags, benefit from fast track security, relax in the No1 lounge and have priority boarding. Premium passengers are welcomed on board with complementary soft drinks, enjoy a spacious leather reclining seats with over a metre of legroom with a Premium meal service and unlimited beverages.

Norwegian’s lowest fares to the US can be found on its low fare calendar, which displays the lowest available fares on all of the airline’s routes. Passengers on all of Norwegian’s routes are eligible to join Norwegian Reward, the airline’s award-winning frequent flyer program, and can earn CashPoints every time they fly.

Norwegian is now one of the world’s most awarded low-cost airlines following previous accolades in 2018: Most Fuel-Efficient Airline on Transatlantic Routes by the ICCT; World’s Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline for the fourth consecutive year and Europe’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the sixth consecutive year by Skytrax and Europe’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2018 at the World Travel Awards.

Topics

Norwegian in the UK and Ireland:

  • 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 3.7 years, including next-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737-800s
  • Norwegian has been voted ‘Europe’s best low-cost carrier’ by passengers for six consecutive years at SkyTrax World Airline Awards from 2013-2018, along with being awarded the ‘World's best low-cost long-haul airline’ in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
  • 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

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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