Norwegian Air Announces New Service Between US Cities and Barcelona, Hints at More Expansion
Historically, flying transatlantic between the US and Europe has required travelers to fork over a pretty substantial chunk of cash. But that all changed when low-cost carrier Norwegian Air stepped on the scene, taking the transatlantic market by storm. Since its first European flights from New York (JFK) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in 2012, the carrier has expanded its network at an alarming (and exciting) rate, offering travelers a low-cost option for travel to and from Europe.
And today, Norwegian's announced that it's expanding its US to Europe network even further. The carrier is launching service from several cities in the US to Barcelona (BCN), the most notable of which being the addition of Newark (EWR) to its route network. Here are the new routes to Barcelona and the launch dates:
- Newark (EWR) to Barcelona (BCN) — begins June 6, 2017, with 2x weekly service until the end of August when it will start 4x weekly service. Fares start at $189 one-way.
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Barcelona (BCN) — begins August 22, 2017, with 2x weekly service. Fares start at $189 one-way.
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Barcelona (BCN) — begins June 5, 2017, with 2x weekly service until the end of August when it will start 3x weekly service. Fares start at $199 one-way.
- Oakland/San Francisco (OAK) to Barcelona (BCN) — begins June 7, 2017, with 2x weekly service until the end of August when it will start 3x weekly service. Fares start at $199 one-way.
The new Newark service is the first from the airport for the carrier, which previously operated all of its New York flights from JFK. Norwegian's Chief Commercial Officer Thomas Ramdahl told TPG that the carrier's expansion to Newark had to do with both the opening of new slots at the airport and looking to expand to a new market and other customers in the New Jersey area. Ramdahl also hinted that the carrier was in talks with a third New York-area airport to offer more service between its growing New York market and Europe, but he didn't specify the airport.
Ramdahl said that Norwegian is also planning to introduce long-haul service with its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as soon as 2018, as it's taking delivery of six of them in June 2017. These smaller 737 MAX aircraft are capable of long-haul routes from the East Coast to the UK — cities like Edinburgh (EDI) and London (LGW). The use of these smaller aircraft could help in expanding the airline's route network to smaller European cities so passengers don't have to transfer at larger hubs. In addition, Norwegian will continue to use its 787 Dreamliners on other routes, such as from the West Coast to Europe.
As part of the announcement, Norwegian also shared plans to add service from the Bay Area to another European destination — Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH). The new OAK-CPH route will be the fifth between the Bay Area and Europe since it began, and it's expected to begin next spring.
Ramdahl told TPG that the expansions aren't done yet, as Norwegian's had its eyes set on several other European cities for nonstop service from the US — Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO), Budapest (BUD) and Prague (PRG), to name a few. However, there aren't any set plans as of now. Next year, Norwegian's focusing on offering passengers more frequent flights within its existing route network — like bumping some of its new Barcelona services from 2x weekly service to 3x or 4x weekly service, and increasing its Paris frequencies.
Last year, Norwegian took the internet by storm when it announced that it was planning to offer $69 one-way fares between the US and Europe. When asked about the status of this, Ramdahl said that if Norwegian can come to an agreement with select airports, the $69 one-way fares could be available before this year's holiday season. These fares will be offered on the carrier's shortest-haul flights, for example between the East Coast and Edinburgh (EDI).
As of today, the new Barcelona routes are bookable on Norwegian's website, and the pricing is about as cheap as you'll find on any transatlantic routes. Don't forget that with certain foreign carriers — especially Norwegian — you can sometimes get even cheaper fares by booking on the foreign version of the carrier's website.
Although Norwegian is a low-cost carrier, its product is nothing to shy away from. TPG Editor-in-Chief Zach Honig and TPG himself both flew the carrier's premium product and thoroughly enjoyed their experiences. In addition, the economy product was solid on a transatlantic flight — especially in a bulkhead seat.
These new routes are the latest in the seemingly constant expansion of Norwegian's route network. Currently, Norwegian offers a greater number of nonstop routes from the US to Europe than any other European airline. And the hints from CCO Ramdahl make it seem like there are certainly more exciting things to come in the not-too-distant future.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees