Norwegian

Flight JFK to Tromso. Left about 6 hours late due to snowstorm. All short haul and about 60% of Transatlantic cancelled that day so I reckon Norwegian did well. Rebooked me on later flight to Tromso. I paid the $75 extra for a free bag (value about $50) a seat reservation and a meal. Not bad value although food was mediocre. Seat not as comfortable as I had hoped but price was well below half any competitive airline and 35% of the best Expedia could offer. Very much a discount airline but great value for money and much more pleasant than Ryanair.

LGW to ALC: Excellent no fuss quick and easy check in. This experience was also matched by the boarding process and inflight service. Very good communication and friendly approachable cabin crew. There was a screen and although no headphones it certainly occupied you with something to visualise upon at least. Incredibly quick flight in lovely comfortable seats. Sat in row 1 with plenty of leg room. We have no problems with this airline and are looking at their long haul service.

Flight 7002 scheduled Dec 29 2013 at 9.30pm left January 1st 2014 at 9am. Flight 7001 left at 6pm on Jan 10th 2014. I understand how one can have a pleasant experience on the Dreamliner but that's not a credit to Norwegian that's a credit to Boeing. Unfortunately that is not always the case and since they are new planes they've had more than a few problems which one could consider as an opportunity for Norwegian to show some grace. They're not allied with any other airline so really hope they're on time and you don't have connecting flights with other airlines. They won't offer you any help. Their customer service is the worst if your flight is delayed or cancelled. You get the same smiling people who pretend to sympathize with you but that's it. Don't expect any compensation or help. My flight was delayed almost 3 days. I missed my connecting flight with another airline as a result. At the departure airport JFK in NYC they told me that they would put me on the next available Norwegian flight to my destination when I arrived in Oslo. When I got to Oslo they said I would have to buy another ticket because I was then traveling with another airline. This is despite the fact they were the reason I missed my flight. Also they don't offer water on the planes on long hauls.

I have held up on writing a review to allow Norwegian the opportunity to get the growing pains out of the way. I expect less quality and comfort since it's a discount airline but Boeing Dreamliner is more like a nightmare than a dream. Four separate trips in six month (8 total legs 8 delays). Premium business is a joke. Only advantage is larger seat. Check-in with Norwegian nationals is unpleasant due to their rude nature. The staff are uninformed and do not care to inform re delays. I got to say that even as an experienced traveler I'm beginning to think that the major carriers have a point when they question the safety of Norwegians fleet.

Copenhagen to Fort Lauderdale with the Dreamliner to get a direct flight to Florida. Perfect airplane with really high comfort and I was just as rested as would normally be flying business. Check-in in Copenhagen was smooth and pleasant even without my normal privileges as a K1 member of United. But here the good part of the story ends. The advertising says free wi-fi onboard but the only thing I got was some "no sir sorry sir" from a crew who barely spoke English and were constantly talking between each other. The food was pretty bland and I had to ask for my pre-paid food several times before I got it - I did wait another 45 min than my son - not so nice. Barely any water during the flight which should be complementary on any long haul flights but not here. Landing in Fort Lauderdale was a disaster and even after the long wait in immigration there where no luggage and none from Norwegian to help. Never will I fly with Norwegian and despite the comfort of non stop I would rather spend 4 hours waiting in Dulles and that says a lot!

Flew on 8th Feb 2014 from Gatwick to Alicante. Slight delay at first but got to check in and everybody had there hand luggage taken from them even though they were correct size for cabin baggage. No ifs or buts you had to put it in the hold even though not locked or labelled try to explain this was not acceptable as did most of the other passengers but got met with you have no choice take it or leave it. As it took so long taking every bodies hand luggage from them we were delayed even further. To add insult to injury they allowed the late passengers on with any size bag. The plane took off with the overhead lockers almost empty. First time with this airline and also the last lots of other passengers said they would never fly with them again. It was totally unnecessary and made Ryanair look like British airways.

Oslo to Bangkok. I had bought a flight down to Phuket which was 5 hours after arrival giving me enough time to switch airports but they had technical difficulties with the plane so delayed our flight. Supposed to leave at 2.20pm but instead they set it at 7pm which they altered to 8pm and again to 9pm. They decided to board passengers only to realize we would sit in that plane for 1.5 hrs more. During the entire delay they compensated passengers with 10€ coupon? It was barely enough for a drink and a sandwich. We finally take off but to my surprise I find out that you have to buy the headphones and even the blanket on this 11 hour flight. I found it quite shocking that there was no meals on this long trip. I would have to buy it from a Snack Shop on the passenger seat monitor but I would not be able to do so until everyone else has eaten that pre-ordered hot meals. This was not a very pleasant flight and I will not be flying with them again. Luckily for me I only bought the ticket to my destination and have yet to order the ticket back home.

LGW-CPH-LGW. Check in at Gatwick via kiosk in very much of a rush as I was running late. Boarded just on time for an on-time departure at 8.45am. Flight only 80 mins and left on time. Cabin Crew service fine and I paid an extra 6 pounds each way for 1st row seat which was worth it. Had the breakfast pack for inflight service for what amounted to AUS$13 and though it was reasonable value. Return flight through immigration security at CPH and left pretty much on time at 7pm the same day. Wanted to buy a sandwich and a beer for 108 kroner and wanted to pay with cash (I had the exact change) but alas they only take credit card. Flight time announced be the captain was 105 mins but ended up only being about 90 mins. Seat 1C both ways was OK with extra legroom for the extra price. Cabin crew functional. On time which was good. Would fly again.

HEL-LGW-AGP-CPH-HEL. First time with Norwegian. Check-in at Helsinki very pleasant and rapid. Boarding quite chaotic in every flight I was in the last rows (since I bought my ticket from an agency). So it was slow and it seemed like your co-flyers hadn't ever seen an airplane before since they just couldn't do anything fast or smart. Flight comfort and seat were quite okay wifi worked on 50% of the flights. Anyway Norwegians concept seems to work and they do their part really well. It was an interesting trip but not my favourite.

My Wife and I flew with Norwegian to Lanzarote excellent check in and departure. On the return flight we were delighted to have a female pilot first time ever. The staff were brilliant we will definitely fly with them again. Would have been nicer if free Tea/Coffee were served as the beverages were rather expensive. But all in all a wonderful experience free WIFI is a definite crowd puller.