Norwegian Air could land slots at exclusive London Heathrow next summer
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Norwegian Air has been awarded slots at London Heathrow airport, opening up the notoriously difficult-to-access airport to the airline’s discount flights.
The Oslo-based carrier’s UK subsidiary was awarded six slots — enough for three round-trip flights — per week at Heathrow (LHR) for the Summer 2020 season that begins at the end of March, according to airport flight coordinator Airport Coordination Limited and confirmed by Norwegian. The slot awards were first reported by Simple Flying.
“We have a strong track record of disrupting incumbent carriers and alliances by offering low fares and award winning service on specific routes and destinations that were previously operated as monopolies,” Norwegian spokesman Anders Lindström told TPG. “We continuously adjust our network in response to demand and we will announce any further changes as and when it is appropriate to do so.”
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
If Norwegian uses the slots to launch long-haul low-cost air service to the U.S. from Heathrow, it would be the first airline to do so. Most discounters serve one of London’s other airports, including Norwegian who operates one of its largest long-haul bases at London Gatwick (LGW). Past long-haul discount operators like Laker Airways’ Skytrain also flew to the U.S. from Gatwick.
Heathrow is a notoriously difficult airport to access for airlines. Carriers typically spend millions of dollars for new slots at the airport. For example, Delta Air Lines bought 10 slots from Croatia Airlines for $19.5 million in 2017, or nearly $2 million per slot.
Norwegian’s success securing Heathrow slots from authorities gives hope to JetBlue Airways’ quest to secure access at Heathrow, or another London airport, for the new service it plans to launch in 2021.
Norwegian’s UK-based subsidiary currently flies between Gatwick and 13 destinations in the Americas, according to Cirium schedule data. Destinations include Denver (DEN), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Orlando (MCO) in the U.S., as well as Buenos Aires (EZE) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG) in Argentina and Brazil, respectively.
Related: Norwegian Air drops U.S. flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm
A recent cull in Norwegian’s various trans-Atlantic services could free some aircraft for new flights from Heathrow. The airline is ending all of its long-haul flying from Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN) next spring, and opted to leave Las Vegas (LAS) earlier this year.
However, Norwegian said issues with the Rolls-Royce engines on its Boeing 787 jets continue to be an issue, potentially limiting further growth with the current fleet of 37 Dreamliners. The airline expects four 787-9 deliveries in 2020, its latest investor presentation shows.
Norwegian’s capacity to the U.S. is scheduled to decrease nearly 12% year-over-year during the first nine months of 2020, according to Cirium data.
Featured image by Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.