Yesterday I flew Norwegian from London Gatwick to Los Angeles in Premium Class. It was quite the experience…
I’ve been wanting to try Norwegian Premium for years and used a Friday westbound nonstop to do it. Norwegian uses a 787-9 on the Gatwick to LA route which features eight rows of premium economy in a 2-3-2 configuration between doors one and two.
The seats are like a U.S. domestic premium seat with better recline and a small legrest and footrest.
Premium passengers receive two meals onboard, one after takeoff and one before landing. The first meal was a choice of turkey, beef, or risotto. The beef was actually tasty. Prior to landing, every passenger in Premium was offered a Cesar salad with chicken (no other choice). Also not bad.
If you’re hungry between meals, you can order food off your in-flight-entertainment (IFE) screen, the way Virgin America used to be. All drinks are complimentary for Premium customers and the list of cocktails is fairly extensive.
Speaking of IFE, the selection was limited, but there was enough to keep you occupied. Since the flight also lacked Wi-Fi, I caught up on my reading and took a nap. A pair of Polish passengers sitting in front of me who got totally smashed also provided some in-flight-entertainment.
CONCLUSION
I cannot complain because I knew what I was getting myself into, but 11 hours during the day is too long to be off Wi-Fi. For that reason alone, I’ll skip Norwegian next time. That said, for the ~$750 price point it is a solid product and was more comfortable than the Lufthansa Premium Economy seat I flew last year.
Next week I’ll publish a full review.
What’s with the primary school cafeteria portions in a half day long flight? How do you know the entertainment was courtesy of Polish drinkers?
I just meant the Polish couple sitting in front of me got so smashed and boisterous that I thought we might have to divert. That was mildly entertaining…
Hey Matthew
No wi-if. But movies .etc????
I am flying round trip Oakland to Gatwick very soon.
As long as there is some entertainer on screen, I will survive.
I can’t read for 11 hours. LOL
Robb
Welcome home Matthew!
I regularly fly Cathay la to hkg and not having internet is one of the reasons why. (The other is AA’s service) Time to actually think and not being constantly interrupted by random online intrusions is a good thing,
I get that being online is a big chunk of your business but not being able to go 11 hours offline without stressing about it is probably not great. Very few things in life can’t wait 11 hours.
1 billion percent agree. (Roughly). WiFi on planes is a disaster. Now I will have to climb Everest to avoid the ubiquitous ping ping ping of people talking shit day in day out. Oh no I just googled it, that’s got signal too, at least at Base camp… thank god we can confirm our location and what we all had for dinner in every nook and cranny of the world now.
Honestly, that looks much better than i had ever expected of Norwegian. Esp the booze…… I can now see why they are doing well from Gatwick.
Those coctails/drinks are more than you’d ever get from the likes of BA/LH.
A couple weeks ago, I booked two, Norweigan Air, one-way fares in Premium Economy, LAX-FCO, non-stop, under 12 hours on 787 flight. Because we’re traveling at the peak of high season the fare for two was $3,500 (but less than $3K only days earlier). That price is bumping up against a heavily discounted C class ticket but I chose it to sample the experience. The Pro’s for this are numerous, including no charge for changes, fully refundable ticket, non-stop, premium dining, free wine, spirits, or beer, access to One World lounge at LAX AND extra legroom. No flatbed seat but good recline AND almost 46” pitch! So far, I’ve heard few complaints, none about cancellations but a few late or delayed departures. Late departures aren’t a big issue for us, but I booked with my Chase Sapphire for many reasons.
With all the extra time you had on this flight, did you jack off multiple times?
What a fucking idiot. Did you get passed Grade 5 in school.
Did you get pass the 5th grade? If you did then to passed.
“… Cannot complain because I knew what I was getting myself into, but 11 hours during the day is too long to be off Wi-Fi. For that reason alone, I’ll skip Norwegian next time.”
Poor millennial needs a whaa-mbulance.
I’m not proud of it, but my business depends on connectivity. There’s nothing “millennial” about it.
Thank you! My thoughts exactly. Has nothing to do with millennials. Has to do with grown-ups getting work done. Flying Premium with Norwegian in March from Florida to London. Thanks for the review.
Very strange to not have at least one non-vegetarian option for meal these days. I assume that the risotto a the first meal was vegetarian but the choice of only turkey for the second meal is ridiculous when you are paying extra to fly premium. They should either give a choice or tell the passengers that vegetarian on-demand item will be served for free.
I am a serious meat eater but people I know or love (e.g., my mom) are vegetarians. I would hate for them to go hungry after paying for premium class.
I am a vegetarian and I bring a lot of extra food for cases like this. I choice to be a vegetarian. I personally need to deal with these situations and not expect other people to have to help me if a situation like this comes up. I am tired of vegetarians who demand special treatment.
Geez, tough audience….
Appreciate the report.
Sounds “liveable.”
Looks good for premium economy.
Agree. Decent enough for what it costs. Not nearly as good as any business class.
Is there any such thing as a international flight over either the Atlantic or Pacific ocean which offers WiFi? I’m pretty sure it’s domestic only for technological reasons…….
All U.S. legacies (United, American, Delta) offer WiFi on transtatlantic flight. Lufthansa, SAS, and SWISS do as well. Other European airlines are catching on as well.
Norwegian is supposed to get wifi soon on their 787’s. they’re equipped with the equipment, but haven’t finalized a contract yet
I have always flown on Norwegian when traveling to London. You CAN order vegetarian online when choosing your seats. They do have several choices for food. Premium is worth the xtra cost & you can sleep quite comfortably in the seats on recline. Best to chose a window seat, there are only 2 seats in that aisle. Flight attendants are always wonderful & I have always enjoyed my flights!
Norwegian Air Shuttle has the best seat of any premium economy product. I think the seat is the middle of being a premium economy seat and business class. 46 inches of pitch is 8 inches more than the standard premium economy product and it is spacious. The recliner function is also very comfortable and I could fall a sleep comfortably. Of course not lie flat but a great option for people. I can not overstate how pleased I was with the amount of recline. From jfk premium comes with priority check in, free bags, lounge access, priority boarding and food. The soft product is typical low cost carrier but you do get a pillow and blanket and most of the flight attendants were young and attractive. No WiFi makes no sense on a year old 787. This is a good airline for 6-7 hour flights. For 11 hours lie flat business is preferred but if no award or reasonable cash fares are available this is still enough to get rest.