5 Things I Learned From Flying Norwegian for the First Time [Barcelona to Copenhagen Review]

You’ll catch my attention all day every day with a $34 flight on a 3-hour trip. That’s what led me to Norwegian’s website and turned into my first trip on this airline in early February 2026.

However, my flight from Barcelona to Copenhagen cost more than double that number in the end. I learned that the carrier has a lot of add-on fees. I also learned a few things about what is and isn’t included in the ticket price, the efficiency of my on-the-ground experience before takeoff, and the (lack of) comfort inside the plane.

Overall, this was a very average experience, but sometimes average is OK for an airline. I got where I wanted to go safely, and it didn’t turn me off from future flights with the carrier.

If you’re eyeing a flight with this carrier, read about these 5 things I learned from my first time flying on Norwegian Air Shuttle, commonly known as just Norwegian.

5 Things I Learned From Flying Norwegian for the First Time

1. Check-In Was Easy (Though It Came Without Smiles)

The employee who accepted my checked suitcase was the type of employee who seemed upset that you were there making them do their job. Aside from that, the process was incredibly efficient. There was no one in front of me when I arrived at Norwegian’s counter in Terminal 2 of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN).

While my flight was mostly full, the check-in counter and baggage drop were empty when I arrived 90 minutes before departure. I had already checked in online, but the employee accepting my suitcase printed my boarding pass and luggage tag within a minute, so checking in online in advance didn’t seem to speed things up.

2. Boarding Was Organized

My flight departed from the R gates, the farthest block of gates at Terminal 2. Boarding started on time, and it was very efficient. The desk agent gave clear instructions before boarding began, explaining how boarding would proceed and starting with preboarding for those who needed extra time. Miraculously, people followed the instructions, and boarding functioned very smoothly.

I boarded with Group B, and there was no line stretching into the jet bridge when my turn arrived — always an indication of whether things are moving smoothly.

Inside the plane, the flight attendants were merely chatting among themselves and ignoring customers. I didn’t see them greeting any passengers or offering assistance in any manner. Even still, we had everyone seated and pushed back from the gate 2 minutes ahead of schedule.

3. Seats Were Old and Only Partly Comfortable

My plane (tail number SE-RRE) was 15 years old, and the glossy leather seats definitely had a dated look — made even more obvious by the fact that the leather was coming loose from the seats and wrinkled in several places.

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Seats on the left during boarding.

The cabin had a 3-3 layout with a single aisle. My seat (17A) was a window seat after the exit rows in the middle of the plane.

Space at my knees was tight. I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall; anyone taller would find this spacing uncomfortable.

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Space at the knees wasn't much.

Each seat had a medium-sized tray table. The back of the seat had a slot for information, holding the duty-free magazine, safety information card, and a sick bag. There weren’t any outlets, USB ports, or screens at the seats.

The space between rows, known as pitch, was 29 or 30 inches for all seats but the bulkhead and exit rows. Those rows offered up to 38 inches of pitch, and the extra fee to sit here could be worth it on longer flights. The standard seat pitch feels tight after a while.

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Rows of economy seats.

4. Food and Beverages Were Available for a Fee

There weren’t any complimentary inclusions during my 3-hour flight — not even a cup of water. That said, food and drinks were available. Each seat had a booklet with duty-free products and meals to purchase, including prices. The table of contents told which pages showed what was available on your flight, depending on whether you were flying within the Nordics, within Europe, or long-haul.

The menu included sandwiches, wraps, beer, wine, sodas, and even pasta. Allergens were clearly labeled.

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Sandwiches.

5. Add-On Fees Were Everywhere

When looking for a flight from Barcelona to Copenhagen, Norwegian caught my eye on Google Flights when I saw a $34 nonstop fare. What a deal!

However, that didn’t tell the full story. Though I expected some extra costs for adding a checked bag, that $34 price was less than half of what I paid in the end. My final price was $94.60.

Because l was on a multiweek trip through Nordic countries in the winter, I had a carry-on and checked bag with lots of winter clothing. These were necessities. By the time I added these to my ticket as individual add-ons, I had basically paid $3.60 to choose a seat — that’s how I viewed moving from the LowFare (basic economy option) to LowFare+ ticket type.

From clicking around during the booking process, I noticed the following add-on fees, many of which applied only to the LowFare ticket or when adding more baggage than is included with the LowFare+ ticket, the type I purchased and the one that probably makes the most sense for many passengers.

Final Thoughts

My first experience flying with Norwegian wasn’t impressive, but it wasn’t bad either. While add-on fees were everywhere, I was able to avoid many of them and didn’t need any refreshments during my flight. That said, the price that originally drew me in was only a fraction of what I paid in the end, since I needed a carry-on and a checked bag for my trip.

The plane I flew on felt dated and wasn’t very comfortable. Flying for more than 3 hours in my seat wouldn’t be ideal, and I would consider paying for extra legroom if I flew for any longer period with Norwegian in the future.