Norwegian

Stockholm Arlanda to London Gatwick 30 March 2012 departed Stockholm more than 4 hours late - at 22.30 hrs instead of 18.15 hrs. The company blamed technical difficulties on the incoming plane but the difficulties were not resolved and passengers eventually boarded a Norwegian plane at a different gate. Although there were occasional announcements no personnel were available for most of this time and passengers were not kept informed. For the last couple of hours passengers were stuck at the gate without sufficient seats. Norwegian calls itself (and acts like) a budget airline. But I paid £238.86 return for this shoddy service.

LGW-OSL-TRO return. Check-in at Gatwick was farcical at security I discovered I'd been given a boarding pass for the Oslo to Tromso leg not the Gatwick to Oslo flight. I went back to check-in where with barely an apology the clerk printed the correct boarding pass. The 4 flights were all efficient and friendly in comfortable aircraft with good leg room. LGW-OSL flight left 80 minutes late due to fog but OSL-TRO flight was held for connecting passengers. Returning on TRO-OSL leg a replacement aircraft had to be sourced but again the OSL-LGW flight was held for us.

CPH-PRG. I arrived at CPH airport very early but was allowed to drop my luggage this turned out to be the biggest mistake. Gate still not indicated 40 minutes before boarding. Very old and dirty 737. Crew ok. In PRG the luggage delivery was delayed 25 minutes and my one was lost! After 3 days no news.

CPH-FCO-CPH. Check-in at Copenhagen was done quickly using the check-in kiosks. Fast bag-drop. I have to agree with other comments that Norwegian does not control hand baggage brought onboard boarding suffers from people placing oversized baggage into overhead lockers. Pre-paid seating was chosen which gave extra legroom. On the return flight no Norwegian kiosks available in Rome Airport but check-in desks opened almost 3 hours before scheduled flight time. Crew cheerful and attentive both ways. Food onboard is very expensive and poor quality. Flights on time and without problems.

Helsinki to Stockholm. Checked in two hours before the flight paid 15€ for a bag I wanted onboard. B737-800 was clean. Food and drinks expensive and legroom not the best. But the prices they offer and the quality of service makes flying Norwegian worthwhile.

London to Tromso via Oslo return. Connections in Oslo Gardemoen very good well sign posted and easy to get to onward departure gate although you have to collect your luggage when you enter Norway. The aircraft on all sectors were modern and nicely appointed. Crew were attentive and very friendly. Check in easy using the self check in machines and the bag drop was nice and quick.

ARN-LGW. Norwegian make a welcome connection to Arlanda from Gatwick and service is better than most other budget airlines. Check-in was done at self-service kiosk and easy to get the best seats without extra charge. Crew pleasant 737-300 aged but being replaced according to the magazine and it was clean and comfortable enough; refreshments menu on board was uninspired and pricey by UK standards although the quality was acceptable. Pleasantly surprised with the lack of fuss over boarding and checking hand baggage. Altogether not a lot of difference in comparison to SAS except the ticket cost half the price.

OSL-BGO. With hand luggage only you don't have to check in for domestic flights within Norway which is great. You receive your boarding pass at the gate. Short hop but reserved seat at emergency exit very comfortable. Especially because they didn't charge for it but for 56 euro you can't complain anyway. Also return AMS-OSL seat pitch cramped but manageable.

Gatwick to Bergen return Flights on time. B737-800 going which had drop down video screens with cartoons. An older 737 300 coming back. Took my own food so can't comment on quality of catering. Would use them again.

Tromso to Oslo. Friendly flight attendants food bought on board with good taste. New clean cabin and not too noisy.