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
- 1
- 2N0312 - Premium Eco - Los Angeles → Paris - Boeing 787-9
We meet up again at LAX for our return flight to Paris.
Please note that Norse uses the (relatively) little-used Terminal 2 in Los Angeles for its check-in.
check-in
This part of the terminal is very old, but at least the company has room.
There is a dedicated queue for Premium passengers. Note that the airline does not offer online check-in or kiosk check-in, so you have to go through the counters even if you don't have any baggage to check.
I quickly get my boarding pass with the seat 7J I had previously reserved.
You then have to exit Terminal 2 at the curbside and walk a few meters to get back to Terminal 1, where you pass through security and there's no waiting, which is a good point compared with TBIT, which can be very crowded at the end of the day.
The rest is perfectly indicated.
A bus takes us to the new TBIT pier (gates 201 to 225).
This new pier offers spacious accommodation.
It even offers a view of the arrivals on the north side, which is just the thing, as our Dreamliner has just arrived from Paris at sunset.
This is the LN-FNB "Rondane", the same as on the outbound flight.
boarding
Boarding will take place at gate 221 and will be delayed by a few tens of minutes.
But it will be fast, with facial recognition boarding.
A "Boarding Receipt" ticket is issued even if the seat does not change.
Boarding through gate 2 left.
This dual-class aircraft has 282 seats in the Economy cabin on the right.
And on the left, the Premium cabin with 56 seats occupying the space between doors 1 and 2.
The Premium seat is the HAECO Americas 3050 FeatherWeight with integrated leg rest.
My 7J seat for the next 10 hours.
Unlike on the outward journey, the cabin equipment is limited to a blanket; the pillow is unfortunately missing.
A tour of the seat, starting with the power sockets.
The seat's mechanical controls.
The literature pocket.
And finally, the 4-position adjustable headrest.
A welcome drink with a choice of water, orange juice or apple juice.
Then comfort elements: blackout mask, earplugs and headphones.
View towards the forward galley.
Beacon On (the flashing red light), an indication that our push-back is imminent.
Rolling out for a 25R departure.
in flight
The flight from Los Angeles to Paris CDG takes around 10 hours.
After a half-turn over the Pacific Ocean, we fly over this megalopolis.
Dinner
Service begins with drinks, but unlike on the outward journey, there are no savouries.
Then the platter with a choice of two hot dishes.
Without lids.
Cutlery is made of wood/bamboo.
The starter is a salad with a slice of turkey ham.
For the main course, I opted for salmon served with squid ink fettuccine and vegetables.
Dessert was a cheesecake.
While the starter and dessert were pretty basic, I really liked the main course.
As we cleared the table, we were offered a hot drink or digestif, and I opted for a Bailey's on the rocks.
IFE
Let's discover the entertainment system (IFE), which has evolved slightly since last year with a new "Shop" section.
But let's start with the films: a filter allows you to choose your category.
New releases remain limited, and most of the films on offer are older.
The same system applies to TV series.
The choice is more satisfying and complete.
The "About Us" section contains information about the company.
In particular, the history of the Norse brand, whose livery and campaigns are inspired by the Viking past of Norwegian explorers.
Finally, the new "Shop" section gives access to the entire Duty Free and à la carte offer on board.
The system is customized for each class of travel, and all Premium beverages are listed with the "$0.00" indication.
Hot drinks :
Soft drinks :
Hard liquor :
Wines and sparkling wines:
Other beverages are also available, but this time for a fee, as they are part of the on-board menu.
And finally, here's the snack menu.
Savory and sweet.
It's advisable to reserve dishes in advance, as on-board stocks are limited.
And let's not forget the comforts.
rest
It's time to rest, as the Premium seat offers a rather substantial 12-inch (30cm) recline.
I wake up just under 2 hours before arrival.
It's time for the second service, breakfast.
breakfast
It's a single tray featuring a cold dish, yogurt, muffin, piece of bread and a portion of butter.
For drinks, I opt for a black coffee and a mimosa, which will inspire other passengers in the cabin.
The cold dish is surprisingly more of a lunchtime affair, with a chicken salad and a large ball of mozzarella.
All in all, a decent breakfast/brunch, even if a second hot service would have been appreciated given the length of the flight.
All the windows are uncluttered in preparation for our arrival.
approach and arrival
The cabin switches to rainbow mode during the approach.
Landing facing west, runway 27R.
We taxi past Terminal 1, which is decked out in the colors of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Then on to our gate at Terminal 3.
Quick disembarkation and transfer by bus to the arrival terminal.
There are no other international flights at this time, so there will be no waiting for the border crossing.
video
PRACTICE
Norse Atlantic Airways is offering up to 6 flights a week this summer between Paris CDG and Los Angeles LAX, and still one 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.
