Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner​. Norwegian is proud of its state-of-the-art long-haul fleet for good reason. Manufactured from a game-changing carbon fibre composite, the Dreamliner offers a faster, smoother, greener and cheaper (due to lower fuel consumption) ride.  There are eight Dreamliners in the long-haul fleet, with another nine awaiting delivery.

THE ROUTE

Oslo Gardermoen​ to JFK, New York 

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

Norwegian Reward. CashPoints are earned based on the net ticket price and can be used to buy flights or to pay for checked baggage. CashPoints can also be earned on select hotel stays and car rentals.

CLASS

Economy seat, 10G 

DURATION

Seven hours, 45 minutes (Six hours, 30 minutes on the return journey)

FREQUENCY

Four times weekly

THE SEAT

The Dreamliner has a two-aisle configuration of 3-3-3 grey leather seats; a total of 291 seats. With an economy seat pitch of 31 inches (79 centimetres) and width of 17 inches (43cm), Norwegian's economy class offers a good level of comfort for the short flight. The grey leather seats reclined well, with a fair amount of leg room.

BAGGAGE

Norwegian strictly enforces baggage limits and charges considerable fees for excess luggage. LowFare tickets include an allowance for one piece of hand luggage, weighing no more than 10 kilograms. LowFare+ tickets allow one checked bag of no more than 20 kilograms; flex tickets allow two items. Weight limits are strictly enforced and penalties charged per kilogram.

COMFORT 

Dreamliner design means bigger overhead bins, a quieter cabin and an ambient lighting system that changes the interior hue six times throughout the flight.  

FOOD

Passengers who pre-order online the Nice&Tasty menu receive a dinner service soon after take-off. The chicken curry with rice was delicious and creamy, served with a crisp green salad and creme caramel. It's a good idea to opt for this add-on (which also includes a blanket, headphones and a reserved seat), since those passengers who hadn't pre-ordered had to wait two hours until the snack bar opened.  The snack bar offers hot sandwiches, tapas selections, chips, chocolate, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks. The ordering system is innovative: swipe a credit card on the seat-back monitor and order via the touch-screen. Nice&Tasty menu patrons were offered a second service two hours before landing: a ham and cheese sandwich, chocolate chip cookie and apple juice. 

ENTERTAINMENT

The seat-back inflight entertainment unit is latest-technology. New-release movies, classic films, TV shows and a good selection of music and games are available. Single-pin headsets (such as those used on Apple devices, for example), fit the socket provided. A USB connector is installed on each personal touch screen for charging up personal devices. An international power outlet is available for charging laptops.  The airline's inflight publication, N Magazine, is a great read with more than 100 pages of destination info and features on innovation, entertainment, pop culture and intellectual Scandinavian pursuits (technology changing the home-security game; the rise of saffron as a global commodity; not even a dash of Kardashians).

SERVICE

Friendly, relaxed and efficient. On this flight the crew were mostly Thai nationals (Norwegian flies to Bangkok); on my flight two days earlier from Paris to Oslo, it was a crew of Norwegians. Top marks for the chic navy and white uniforms. 

ONE MORE THING

Norwegian flies direct between Scandinavia and six US destinations, with advertised fares from $290 one-way including taxes. In addition to a network of European routes, the airline flies to Bangkok, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Tel Aviv and Morocco. As the second-largest airline in Scandinavia – and seventh largest low-cost carrier in the world – Norwegian continues to expand rapidly.

THE VERDICT

Terrific value, great service, eco-cred, a modern fleet, convenient routes and Scandinavian efficiency; Norwegian is set to win over a large sector of the travelling public.

 Reviewed by Kristie Kellahan, who  flew at her own expense.