How Reliable Are Norse Atlantic Airways?

Low fares. Long-haul routes. Six Dreamliners. What could possibly go wrong?

By Mr Plane Guy Former airline insider • Travel hacker • Plane Honest reviews

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, if you click and take action, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent travel journalism here at MrPlaneGuy.com.

Norse Atlantic Airways promises cheap long-haul flights to places people actually want to go, New York, Orlando, Bangkok, Phuket and Cape Town, often for hundreds less than BA or Virgin.

But with just a handful of Boeing 787 aircraft flying from Gatwick, Manchester, Rome, Oslo and Stockholm, the big question is:

How reliable is Norse really? Here is the Plane Honest breakdown.

What Norse Atlantic Flights Are Currently Operating

Norse’s network includes:

• London Gatwick → New York (JFK)

• London Gatwick → Orlando (MCO)

• London Gatwick → Bangkok (BKK)

• London Gatwick → Cape Town (CPT)

• Manchester → Bangkok (BKK)

• Rome (FCO) → New York (JFK)

• Oslo (OSL) → Bangkok (BKK)

• Stockholm (ARN) → Bangkok (BKK)

• Stockholm (ARN) → Phuket (HKT)

That’s a big map for a fleet flying on the margins of viability.

It’s also worth understanding why Norse is currently operating with a much smaller active fleet than many passengers might expect. Norse Atlantic Airways originally launched with 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, but has since leased out half of its fleet as part of a deliberate shift in strategy.

In a volatile long-haul market, Norse has pivoted away from relying purely on low-cost scheduled flying and towards leasing aircraft to other airlines to secure stable, fixed revenues. The airline has finalised agreements to wet lease six of its 12 Dreamliners to Indian carrier IndiGo, allowing IndiGo to launch long-haul routes while it waits for new Airbus A321XLR and A350 aircraft from 2027.

Having worked as a Performance & Delay Manager at Gatwick, this is exactly the kind of disruption pattern I’ve seen when airlines operate lean long-haul schedules with little spare capacity.

Real-World Norse Disruption Reports (Christmas 2025)

Here’s what actual travellers were reporting in late December 2025, based on social discussions and forum posts, showing the patterns of delay/disruption people were experiencing.

🛫 Gatwick → Orlando, Christmas Day (25 December)

Multiple passengers reported long delays followed by last-minute cancellation on the LGW → MCO service on Christmas Day, leaving families stuck and unable to be rerouted due to full flights across the board for the busiest travel period of the year.

One report described passengers being told there would be no flight home for another two days because all alternative seats were sold.

🛬 Orlando → Gatwick, Christmas Day

Corresponding travellers also reported the return flight being cancelled, with passengers claiming they were left waiting for hours with poor communication from the airline.

✈️ JFK → Gatwick (Z0702) Cancellation

A traveller posted a report of the JFK → LGW flight (Z0702) being cancelled with no clear updates, and difficulties contacting customer service by phone/email.

🔄 Mid-Air Return + Xmas Disruption

One passenger described a flight that turned back mid-air due to an issue, then had subsequent reroutes cancelled, wrecking Christmas plans.

🕐 Multi-Day Delay (Gatwick → JFK, 22–23 Dec)

Another reported that their flight from Gatwick to JFK was repeatedly delayed/delayed again, pushing their departure across two days due to “operational reasons” with confusion about check-in windows and gate communication.

Bottom line for travellers: When one Norse aircraft is out of position or technical, the tight schedule and minimal spare fleet means delays cascade across multiple services and there often aren’t seats available on other airlines to rescue a disrupted booking.

Does This Mean Norse Is Unreliable?

Not necessarily, plenty of passengers have smooth, uneventful flights and praise the value.

But Norse’s structure means:

• Limited backup, one tech issue can wreck several flights

• No wide partner network to absorb passengers

• Customer service stretched during peak disruption

This is a different reliability profile to BA, Virgin or American not unsafe, just less resilient operationally.

What You’re Owed When Your Norse Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, your rights under EU261 / UK261 are worth knowing especially if your flight originates in the UK or EU.

✈️ Right to Care (Immediate Obligations)

Even before compensation, Norse may be obliged to offer:

• Meals and refreshments

• Hotel accommodation (if an overnight delay)

• Transport to/from hotel

• Two free phone calls / emails / messages

These are care rights, separate from compensation and apply even if the airline claims extraordinary circumstances.

Plane Tip: If you’re stuck during a long delay or cancellation, lounge access can make a huge difference, hot food, Wi-Fi, quieter seating and somewhere to recharge while things get sorted.

I personally use Priority Pass, which gives access to 1800+ lounges worldwide, including Gatwick, Manchester, JFK and Orlando.

👉 GRAB your 30% Priority Pass discount here!

Compensation You Could Be Owed (EU261 / UK261)

For EU/UK flights, compensation depends on:

• Distance of flight

• Length of delay upon arrival

• Timing of cancellation notice

Typical compensation bands (for eligible flights under EU261/UK261):

• €250 / £220 — short flights (≤ 1,500 km)

• €400 / £350 — mid-distance (1,500–3,500 km)

• €600 / £520 — long-haul (≥ 3,500 km)

Long-haul Norse flights (e.g., LGW→JFK, LGW→MCO, LGW→BKK, LGW→CPT) generally fall into the €600 band if eligible.

Have you been delayed or had a flight cancelled?

Check here to see if you could be entitled to compensation.

Important: if the airline shows the issue was caused by “extraordinary circumstances” (severe weather, security, etc.), compensation may be reduced or denied, but airlines often over-claim this exemption.

When EU261 / UK261 Applies to Your Norse Flight

• Your Norse flight departs from the UK (e.g., Gatwick, Manchester) → typically UK261 applies.

• Your Norse flight departs from the EU/EEA (e.g., Rome, Oslo, Stockholm) → EU261 applies.

Whether the carrier is Norse or another airline, the departure location determines the applicability of these passenger rights.

How to Claim Your Rights

You can file a claim directly with Norse through their customer service/claims page, but this can be slow and confusing during peak disruption.

Many travellers prefer using a specialist service that handles the admin for them.

👉 Delayed or cancelled flight? You could be owed compensation.Check with AirHelp they’ll review your flight and, if eligible, handle the airline claim for you.

👉 Check your compensation with AirHelp

(AirHelp typically charges a success fee, transparent and only if you win.)

A Norse Planning Checklist (Before You Book)

If you’re considering Norse for your next trip:

• Travel insurance matters, make sure it covers delay/cancellation costs, Coverwise (by AXA) offers annual European cover from £10.20

• Keep screenshots of all communications

• Save boarding passes, email confirmations, gate screens

• Don’t plan tight connections around Norse flights

• Consider refundable/addable ticket options if travel dates are critical

• Make sure you have plenty of unlimited data if you are abroad, so you are able to quickly make alternative plans take a look at this blog The Best eSIMs & Travel SIMs for International Travel (UK Travellers’ Guide)

• Lounge access: During delays, lounges can be a lifesaver for food, Wi-Fi and space. I use Priority Pass, details here.

Read My Plane Norse Guides

I’ve reviewed Norse from multiple angles read these for detail:

• Norse Atlantic Airways Review of Premium

• Norse Atlantic Airways Economy Review

• Straight to the Pad Thai: Norse’s New Direct Manchester to Bangkok Flights

• What I Wish I’d Known Before Flying Norse Atlantic Airways

• Swap Grey Skies for Thai Sunshine: Fly to Bangkok with Norse Atlantic & Unlock Luxury for Less

• Priority Pass Review 2026: One Year of Lounge Access, Was It Worth It?

Final Boarding Call: Affordable, But Not Always Reliable

Norse Atlantic Airways is a great value option for long-haul, especially if you’re flexible and travel light.

But if your trip is time-critical (Christmas travel, cruises, weddings), book with backup plans and travel insurance and know your rights under EU261/UK261.

💺 Cheap tickets are one thing. Reliable travel is another.

Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!

I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!

I hope you enjoyed How Reliable Are Norse Atlantic Airways? Do let me know in the comments if you have any questions about it.

Sign up to my emails Here to Subscribe

I promise not to bombard you! Just the occasional news full of amazing travel deals!

Plane Extras

The PLANE Smart Way to Take Off

Here are my go-to travel extras that help keep this blog (and me) airborne.

🅿️ Airport Parking Compare prices and save up to 75% at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and more with Compare Parking Prices UK →

🍸 Lounge AccessWhy wait at the gate when you could sip a pre-flight prosecco?

Get 30% off a Priority Pass membership → and access 1800+ lounges worldwide.

🌍Travel Insurance Don’t fly without cover. Coverwise (by AXA) offers annual European cover from £10.20, including medical consultations and pre-existing conditions.

🎒 Plane Essentials My must-pack travel gear, from cabin-size backpacks to neck pillows that actually work. Shop my curated Amazon Storefront → 

📱Stay Connected Avoid roaming shock. Arlo eSIMs → give you instant data in 180+ destinations, no SIM swap required.

💳 Boost Your Avios Earn faster and fly farther with my Amex Gold referral → or track reward seats via Reward Flight Finder →.