Norwegian Air Review — Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, & More

In this general review of Norwegian Air, we’ll break down specific categories of interest to the average customer.

Where does Norwegian fly? How much does Norwegian charge for baggage? Does Norwegian Air have business class? Will I get food on my Norwegian flight?

Continue reading for an in-depth report of ticketing/fare options, added costs (like baggage fees, change fees, etc.), onboard seat specs, inflight amenities, consumer satisfaction (including recent awards), and much more.

Update: As of January 15, 2021, Norwegian Air has discontinued its international long-haul service.

Basic Info

Airline: Norwegian Air

Alliance: none

Category: Low-Cost Airline (third largest low-cost airline in Europe)

Frequent Flyer Program: Norwegian Air Rewards

Tag Line: Affordable Fares For All

About/Mission Statement: “Affordable fares for all… To realise this vision, we offer quality flights at a low fare based on operational excellence and helpful, friendly service.” (source)

Fleet: 170 (average fleet age 3.8 yrs; one of the youngest in the world)

Main Hub: Oslo Airport, Gardermoen

Ticketing Options

Norwegian Air has 3 basic fare options for most flights:

• LowFare
• LowFare+
• Flex

As you can see in the photo below, your fare option clearly designates your included benefits, with more allocated as prices rise.

With LowFare, you’re allowed a personal item only and will be charged for extras.

With LowFare+ you have a bit more wiggle room: you can bring a standard carry-on bag, a checked bag, and choose your seat.

With Flex, you have considerably more perks included, with the ability to change and refund flights at no extra cost.

You’ll notice a great general perk of Norwegian Air is the free Wi-Fi on most flights regardless of your fare tier.

Special Note: Passengers should note that there is an extra fee for itineraries with connecting flights. This fee comes to $10 per person, per leg.

Norwegian Baggage & Other Fees/Add-Ons

Since Norwegian is a low-cost airline, they do offer some very basic fares while advertising extras that can be selected for additional fees.

Baggage Fees

Carry-on Allowance

1 Personal Item: FREE for all fares (10 kg maximum)
1 Carry-on Item:

• LowFare: No standard carry-on (available to purchase from $5.50-$10)
• LowFare+: 1 standard carry-on (10 kg combined with personal item)
• Flex, Premium, and PremiumFlex: 1 standard carry-on (15 kg combined with personal item)

Size Restrictions: 

• Personal: 15 x 11.8 x 7.9 inches (38 x 30 x 20 cm)
• Carry-on: 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm)

Checked Baggage Allowance

The bag should not exceed a max linear dimension of 118 inches (300 cm) L + W + H, but one side can measure up to 98.4 inches (250 cm).

All flights

• LowFare: 0 bags included
• Lowfare+: 1 bag included (50 pounds/23 kg)
• Flex: 2 bags included (50 pounds/23 kg each)
• Infant: 1 bag (11 pounds/5 kg)

Additional Baggage

The cost of pre-paid additional baggage depends on the specific route. Please see Norwegian’s City Pair List and pricing table to calculate the fees for your journey.

Excess Baggage 

• Overweight: $15 per kg, per leg. Applies to any bag weighing over 50 pounds (23 kg).
• Oversized: 98 x 31 x 44 inches (250 x 79 x 112 cm) L x W x H

Hot Tip: For more information on Norwegian’s baggage fees, see our separate article dedicated to the topic. 

Other Fees & Add-Ons

Rebooking: $75 (all non-Flex fares) + price difference, per person, each way

Refund: All non-Flex fares are nonrefundable

Name Change: $75 (all non-Flex fares) per person, each way

Cancellation Protection: $12.90 (domestic) or $14.90 (international) per person, per booking; *explicit coverage policies apply

Phone/Airport Booking Service Charge: $30 per person

Connecting Flights: $9 per person, per leg; $25 per person per leg through London Gatwick

Seat Reservation LowFare: $9.90-$45 per person, per leg

Fast Track: $17-18 per person; select European airports only

Unaccompanied Minor: $70 per child, each way

Meals/Refreshments Onboard:

Passengers can order a hot meal on selected flights over 2.5 hours (orders can be placed up to 72 hours prior to departure): $12

Snacks and Refreshments:

• Non-alcoholic drinks: $2-$3
• Alcoholic drinks: $5-$20
• Snacks: $1-$7
• Meals (served on flights over 2 hours and 15 minutes long): $14-17

How to Avoid Paying Excess Fees & Travel Expenses

You don’t necessarily have to shell out cash to pay for extra travel fees and expenses you incur along the way. Norwegian Air’s rewards program offers members 1 free “benefit” after every 8 flights. The first benefit consists of CashPoints, but thereafter members can choose between more CashPoints, free checked bags, free standard seat reservations, or free fast track.

By enrolling in Norwegian Reward, you may earn enough “benefits” to offset baggage fees on future trips.

Experienced travelers use rewards credit cards offering “airline credits” that will cover the cost of baggage fees, travel purchases, and inflight splurges! Each of our recommended cards allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).

See the tables below for more details:

TOP PICK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome Offer

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.

20,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$360

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Ability to use transfer partners

Cons

• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Norwegian Seat Specs & Inflight Amenities

What will your flight onboard a Norwegian Air plane look like? We’re breaking down seat specs & amenities for you here.

Seat Specs: Norwegian Air has 2 separate seat types: economy and premium cabin.

• Economy 737-800: 29″-31″ pitch, 17.2″ width
• Economy 737 MAX 8: 29″-30″ pitch, 17.2″ width
• Premium: 46″ pitch, 19″ width

*The table below does not take into account extra legroom seats for exit rows and bulkhead seats.

If you want to find the best seat in the house, so to speak, head over to our friends at SeatGuru.

Premium cabin seats are essentially Norwegian’s business class, so they’ll be a bit more upscale with extra legroom and increased recline.

Inflight Amenities: As for amenities onboard during the flight, Norwegian Air goes above and beyond other low-cost carriers by offering some perks free of charge.

• Free Wi-Fi (on most European flights) on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop
• Free live TV (on most European flights) on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop

Note that refreshment service is limited to paid beverages and snacks only.

Norwegian Customer Satisfaction

Norwegian gets mixed reviews when it comes to customer satisfaction. Of course, since it is a low-cost airline, you’ll get the average Joe who doesn’t do his research and is therefore unaware of the basic low-cost structure: you get what you pay for.

This means a lot of people complain about added fees, extra costs, etc. There are some other issues to consider as well, and we’ll break those down below.

That being said, Norwegian Air gets above average overall scores from many popular review sites. Also, Norwegian has been winning quite a few awards over the last few years, so be sure to check out that list too.

Most Common Complaints

What are the most common Norwegian Air complaints? This technically depends on where you’re getting your information. On social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, most customers seem to complain more about general customer service interactions and a low transparency when it comes to ticket prices.

That being said, the August 2017 Air Travel Consumer Report filed by Transportation.gov breaks down a total of 57 complaints against Norwegian Air for January 2017 through June 2017:

• Flight Problems (cancellation, delay, or misconnection): 12 / 21.1%
• Reservation, Ticketing, Boarding: 12 / 21.1%
• Baggage: 9 / 15.8%
• Refunds: 7 / 12.3%
• Fares: 6 / 10.5%
• Customer Service: 5 / 8.8%
• Disability: 4 / 7.0%
• Over-Sales: 1 / 1.8%
• Other: 1 / 1.8%

Consumer Rankings

Here’s a list of some of the more popular rankings systems/review websites, and where Norwegian falls on their radars.

Skytrax Ranking: 3 Star Airline

Skytrax Customer Rating: 5/10 (average of 1281 reviews)

TripAdvisor Airline Review Rating: 3.5/5 (average of 27,532 reviews)

Kayak Customer Rating: 6.8/10 (average of 4,407 reviews)

Performance

As represented on various performance tables, Norwegian ranks pretty high across the board when it comes to On Time Performance (OTP).

OAG Top Airlines by On Time Performance – January 2020: Ranked 59th for global airlines at 84.6%

Flight Stats On-Time Performace Rating 2019: Ranked 10th for European airlines at 77.4%

Recent Awards

Norwegian Air has been receiving some prestigious awards in top categories for multiple years running.

Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022 – Best Low-Cost Airline in Northern Europe

World Travel Awards 2019 – Europe’s Leading Low-Cost Airline

Passenger Choice Awards 2019 – Best Low-Cost Carrier in Europe

Final Thoughts

From a low-cost airline perspective, Norwegian sits near the top of the list in our book.

Keep in mind they operate a “pay for you, not for everyone else” type of concept, and basic ticket prices reflect this with extras tacked on accordingly.

Norwegian does sneak in a couple of low blows (like fees for connecting flights), but all in all their prices are what you’d expect for extras and onboard amenities. Plus, most domestic flights come with free Wi-Fi — that’s pretty unique!

When it comes to customer satisfaction and performance, Norwegian holds its own. On average, you can expect to see more positive reviews for them than competing low-cost carriers.

Our take? If you have the opportunity to fly Norwegian Air and think you’ve found a great price, there’s a good chance you’ll be pleased.