Norweigan start-up Norse Atlantic Airways is abruptly canceling service from Los Angeles to both Oslo and Berlin, suggesting the new longhaul budget carrier is facing deeper turmoil than a winter lull in demand.
Norse Atlantic Ends Both Los Angeles Routes
For the last week, Norse Atlantic has promoted $115 one-way fares to Europe, part of its value proposition. But a day after the sale ended, Norse announced that its two Los Angeles (LAX) routes would be suspended in just over two weeks’ time.
- Los Angeles – Berlin (BER) – suspended October 16, 2022
- Los Angeles – Oslo (OSL) – suspended October 16, 2022
It is not clear if this service will return in the spring.
Speaking as a customer, I was delighted to see Norse Atlantic rise from the grave of Norweigan Airlines and particularly thankful that the carrier operated two flights to Los Angeles, including service to the German capital city.
But in reading trip reports of the start-up, it really was no different from Norwegian. And of course, Norweigan found itself in financial trouble long before the pandemic marked the final nail in the coffin.
While Norse has not had to deal with some of the Boeing maintenance issues that plagued Norweigian, it does face a fickle market in which it has found trouble gaining traction, especially as the winter months approach.
Finally, Norse Atlantic has also announced that it is reducing, though not eliminating, its service between Oslo and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
CONCLUSION
Sadly, Norse Atlantic has announced that it will suspend its service to Los Angeles and has not given much notice. The loss of Norse Atlantic on transatlantic routes brings higher prices, particularly on a one-way basis, to consumers, but seemed almost inevitable considering the struggles of its predecessor.
I greatly hope Norse Atlantic is taking a conservative approach so as not to run out of money during the quieter winter season and will continue to expand next year. But at this point, I am not convinced.
image: Norse Atlantic
Flew Norwegian once return ORD to BCN (our final destination). Flight was better than PE and was about $800 return. Good seats with tons of space. Decent food box thing and free drinks. Would be happy to pay that again especially with the gold takeoff time for the red eye.
Flew Norse in August. Good experience. I’d fly them again, even in winter. But, the fares would need to be lower to offset the cost of the positioning flights.
My family of three were booked LAX to BER in March 2023 in Premier Seating ( took advantage of their recent sale in September).
Had booked connecting flight on easyJet to Rome.
Started with easyJet cancelling flights till I finally requested a refund after the third time (I got it). Then yesterday, September 30th I got the email the Norse had been cancelled. I emailed and they replied back right away that I would get full refund in 5 days. (Fingers crossed)
Was looking at rebooking on French Bee, but worried they may be next?
I think the continental EU low-costs are getting hammered too. Been lots of cancellations/schedule changes on them too
It’s an uncertain time for sure. Not sure what will happen, but Norse is going to struggle to make it through the winter.
This is increadibly irresponsible. I am leaving on Saturday to Orlando, then to LAX and back. Everything is booked and paid for, hotels, connecting flights, rental cars for a family of four. Now I am stuck trying to find a way home from LAX. Of course one way flights on other airlines are expensive at this late date. Even worse, my son is in LA now and has no way home.
A refund of the flight charges does not compensate at all.
You’re right, and my underastnidg is that they escape EU regs by cancelling more than 14 days in advance (hence, the timing). Although the DOT in this case may provide more protection for incidenital expenses.
THIS IS WHY YOU BOOK ON MAJOR AIRLINES!
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
I
I was very excited to finally have a nonstop from LAX to BER. I flew with them once on a semi-sale rate. For the return, the rates were bizarre – about a grand one-way including bag. Not low cost!
I hope they bring that route back, as nobody else offers it. And it doesn’t need to be crazy cheap, but competitive with traditional airlines who often charge less RT then Norse was offering one way. If they price competitively, with the nonstop factor as their value add, and let people know it exists and work with aggregator sites, it could be successful. And it I only just found out about it. They didn’t give time for people to even know this great, unique routing existed.