Norse Atlantic adds 4 more US routes from London Gatwick
Norse Atlantic Airways continues its all-out assault on the low-budget transatlantic market with four new U.S. routes from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
The deal starts with six weekly flights between Gatwick and Dulles International Airport (IAD) from June 1, and TPG found economy return tickets for 425 British pounds (about $514). The carrier will also add daily service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 30, with return tickets starting at 433 pounds ($523).
On distance alone, the much better deal is naturally to LAX. TPG found one-way fares from 160 pounds ($195).
This is a veritable long-haul bargain. For example, there are nonstop flights in July from London to LA with Virgin Atlantic for 603 pounds ($728), and while you may decide that Economy Lite on Virgin is worth the price, the flights don't occur at the best times. If you opt for a Norse flight instead, the savings could be better spent on a car rental or hotel room.
If you want to explore the West Coast, there's more good news: From July 1, Norse will launch a staggered service to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) three times weekly.
Return economy tickets start at 415 pounds ($501), giving travelers who want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Alcatraz or drive the Pacific Coast Highway more options.
This is a doubly mouthwatering prospect when you learn that British Airways' nonstop July fares start at more than 600 pounds ($725) one-way. We struggled to find return deals with BA for less than 800 pounds ($966) throughout the month.
If that wasn't enough, Norse is also adding Boston to its list of routes, offering service five times a week from Sept. 2. TPG found return fares in that same week from 365 pounds ($441).
That's a good deal cheaper than BA's cheapest economy offering, which starts at around 485 pounds ($586) for flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) and BOS in September.
These new routes will increase connectivity between the U.S. and U.K. for a fraction of the price you'd normally pay.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) are also reachable from Gatwick, where half of Norse's fleet will be based this summer.
Related: First look: Norse Atlantic Airways' inaugural flight from New York on the Boeing 787
"The addition of direct flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston to our already popular New York, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale/Miami services will provide greater choice and value for consumers," Bjorn Tore Larsen, Norse's CEO, said of the latest lineup.
"We are delighted to welcome six new Norse Atlantic routes this summer, giving passengers a fantastic choice of US destinations at excellent value, whether for holidays, business or visiting family and friends," Stewart Wingate, the CEO of Gatwick, said.
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