Following its arrival in France in March 2023, Norse Atlantic Airways, the long-haul low-cost carrier specializing in transatlantic routes, continues to weave its web from Paris Charles de Gaulle. After New York JFK and Miami (seasonal flight for winter), the Norwegian airline is now inaugurating its third route from France to the West Coast and Los Angeles. A perfect opportunity to (re)test Norse's product and see how the offer has evolved one year after its introduction. Flight-Report was present on the inaugural flight with part of the company's management team.
Flight routing
- 1N0311 - Premium Eco - Paris → Los Angeles - Boeing 787-9
- 2
We meet outside Terminal 3. This terminal, which is mainly used by low-cost airlines, is particularly efficient in terms of both accessibility (thanks to its proximity to Roissypole) and formalities (Screening Station and Border Police).
check-in
Check-in on this day takes place at counters 40 to 44, one of which is reserved for Premium passengers.
I quickly collect my boarding pass after checking my ESTA.
Non-Schengen flights are rare in this terminal in the afternoon, so there's no waiting for emigration.
In the reserved area, there are a few stores, including a Duty Free under the ADP Group's new hospitality brand: Extime…
… as well as food outlets such as Prêt à Manger…
… but also a new lounge called "Paul Maxence Sports Bar" (not included with Norse).
The boarding lounge is long and bathed in natural light.
Some seats are equipped with USB A and C sockets.
Meanwhile, our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrives from New York JFK.
This is LN-FNB, which will be delivered to the company in December 2021.
The Norse Altantic Airways fleet comprises 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (5 of which are UK-registered).
LN-FND "Dartmoor" will leave for the Big Apple a little later.
boarding
At the gate, there's a certain amount of excitement, with officials on hand to celebrate the inaugural flight.
There's also a buffet, served by the company's volunteer cabin crew (who are not on the flight).
Speeches followed, including that of Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder of Norse Atlantic Airways, who said he was very proud to be inaugurating this new route, while thanking his partners and in particular Paris Aéroport for the efficiency of Terminal 3, which is very well suited to his operations.
Before boarding, I treat myself to a piece of cake and a glass of champagne.
Boarding begins with a priority queue for Premium passengers, even if this isn't very useful for boarding by bus.
It's a quick ride to our plane.
Departure in 45 minutes.
Rolls Royce Trent 1000.
Boarding through gate 2 on the left, with a warm welcome from the mostly French crew.
On the right, the economy cabin for 282 passengers, 9 abreast (3-3-3)…
… and on the left, the Premium cabin with 56 seats, 7 abreast (2-3-2).
The Premium seat is the 3050 FeatherWeight from HAECO Americas, with integrated leg rest.
The first notable change is that the cabin equipment now includes a blanket and pillow already arranged on the seats…
… as well as an embroidered headrest…
… making the cabin even more welcoming.
There's always a painting on the rear wall, different for each aircraft.
For this flight, I'll be occupying seat 7A, in the penultimate row of the cabin.
The adjustable headrest with four positions.
The pitch (spacing between seats) is one of the best on the market at 43 inches (109cm), compared with 38 inches on most airlines.
The controls are mechanical and easy to use.
The individual screen is located in the central armrest. You have to pull on the LIFT to make it come out (which is not necessarily very intuitive).
This is also where you'll find the cocktail tray and controls for the PSU (PNC call and light) and IFE (entertainment system).
Universal power sockets.
Let's conclude this overview of the seat with the contents of the seat bag: safety instructions, on-board menu and motion sickness bag.
Service begins on the ground with a welcome drink: water or fruit juice.
Followed by an oshibori.
We push off on time.
Engines start…
…and safety instructions, which are always given manually.
in flight
Take-off to the north from runway 27 left.
I unfold the screen, which is located in the armrest.
Norse still doesn't offer a flight-monitoring map, as this option is considered too expensive, and only technical information (including time remaining) is available.
To mark this inaugural flight, Norse is announcing a number of special features and an improved Premium test service.
Starting with a goodie bag featuring a water bottle in the company's colors…
…and a special Los Angeles flame.
This is followed by the distribution of a few comfort items: eye mask, earplugs and headphones.
lunch
Service begins with an aperitif, including champagne (as opposed to the usual Prosecco).
The wines are French from Maison Castel.
Distribution of the cutlery set…
…which includes a small paper tablecloth.
Two choices of savory cookies are offered to accompany the aperitif.
We leave the old continent for Ireland.
A new pass for the distribution of the tray - the company has done well to abandon its cardboard box.
Choice of three types of bread.
The platter presents itself very well, with quality elements.
The starter consists of snacked scallops with a julienne of vegetables.
Very good.
For the hot dish, choice of beef steak with port sauce, potatoes, carrots and broccoli…
…or cod, beurre blanc sauce, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.
Both dishes were very good, albeit overcooked.
Cheese should have been loaded but was absent from the platter, so we went straight to dessert with a Paris-Brest.
I keep it aside to wait for the coffee and digestif service; I opt for a black coffee and a Bailey's on the rocks, a box of Valrhona chocolates is also offered at this time.
All in all, an excellent meal, with an undeniable qualitative leap compared to the service provided a year earlier.
cruise
Our southern route for the day takes us over Greenland.
And we're lucky there aren't any clouds at all!
Like Norwegian explorers in their day, our Boeing 787 is in its element.
It's rare enough to note, but the views outside can attract passengers!
The fjords.
Icy landscapes and icebergs follow one another.
The crew come into the cabin to offer a box of shortbread, and I take the opportunity to order a Gin & Tonic.
rest
The seat with its integrated leg rest offers a generous recline.
IFE
The entertainment system is described in detail in the report on the return flight, and a new "Shop" section has been added.
Although less spectacular, the landscapes of the American northwest herald an imminent arrival.
snack
The second service is offered around 90 minutes before arrival.
It consists of a cold platter with a choice of two cold dishes (smoked salmon or charcuterie) and a chocolate muffin.
I chose the muffin with fresh cheeses, a slice of smoked salmon, raw vegetable sticks and a piece of cheese.
Correct, but a second hot meal would have been appreciated given the length of the flight.
The cabin prepares for arrival.
approach and arrival
A classic approach from the north to LAX.
The famous "Hollywood" sign (left) and Griffith Observatory (right).
The Los Angeles CBD.
The Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to over 13 million people.
The new SoFi Stadium.
Final approach for runway 24R, then…
…go-around, offering a superb view of the TBIT!
The previous plane was too close, so an announcement is made to give us an extra 15 minutes' flying time, to get back into the traffic.
This time, it's the right one!
Welcome to Los Angeles! We cross runway 24L, currently under renovation.
Before reaching our gate in the new TBIT pier.
Last view of our plane.
The wait at immigration will be rather long, with a 1h15 wait and the arrival of many international flights.
Video
PRACTICE
This summer, Norse Atlantic Airways is offering up to 6 flights a week between Paris CDG and Los Angeles LAX, as well as a daily flight between Paris CDG and New York JFK. It also offers transatlantic connections from Athens ATH, Berlin BER, London LGW, Oslo OSL, Rome FCO and Stockholm ARN to the USA.
Norse Atlantic Airways' Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are configured to seat 56 passengers in Premium and 282 in Economy.
Premium, Economy Classic and Economy Flextra customers can take one 10kg cabin bag and one accessory. Economy Light customers can only take one accessory, which must fit under the front seat. A 23kg hold bag is included for Economy Classic, Flextra and Premium Classic customers. Premium Flextra customers may take 2 hold baggage items weighing 23kg.
Trip realized by Flavien for Flight-Report with the participation of Norse Atlantic Airways.
