Norse Atlantic Airways Premium Economy Review
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Thinking about flying long-haul without draining your wallet or your sanity? You’re in the right place. I flew Norse Atlantic Airways Premium Economy round-trip between NYC and Greece — so you don’t have to guess if it’s the smart move for your next big trip.
🎟 Ready to grab a deal right now? Check the latest Norse Atlantic fares here via WayAway — prices change fast, especially for peak routes like JFK ↔ ATH.
After flying China Airlines and EVA Airways Premium Economy, I’ve been obsessed with testing these “mid-tier” upgrades. They’re not Business or First Class, but they do give you extra space, a quieter cabin, and sometimes perks like priority boarding or pre-ordered meals.
Norse Atlantic is the new kid in the budget long-haul game — think spacious seats and modern planes at a price that’s way friendlier than most legacy carriers. But budget airlines can be tricky: you save money upfront, then sometimes pay for it in hidden fees, uncomfortable seats, or no-frills service.
So… did Premium Economy actually feel premium? Or was it just economy with a better recline?
Let’s break it down.
tldr
Here’s the quick breakdown if you’re in booking mode:
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✨ Surprisingly spacious — tons of legroom, 43” pitch | 💺 Seat selection is pricey (about $150 roundtrip) |
| Modern touches: tinted dimmable windows, clean LED lighting, hidden TV & tables | 🥱 Basic pillows/blankets |
| 🍜 Order extra snacks & meals right from your seat screen | 📶 No Wi-Fi onboard |
| 🎬 Clear touchscreen entertainment system | 🥗 Meals were meh — edible, but not memorable |
| 👩🏻✈️👨🏻✈️ Friendly, helpful crew both ways | 🚽 No toilet seat covers |
| 🧼 Clean bathrooms & fresh air feel | 🛫 Hard to get out if the person in front reclines fully |
My verdict: Absolutely worth it for travelers who want more space and comfort without paying business-class prices. Not ideal if you’re picky about premium food or can’t stand climbing over seatmates mid-flight to use the toilet.
✈️ Ready to book smart? Compare Norse Atlantic Premium Economy prices now — locking in early usually saves you hundreds.
about Norse Atlantic
Launched in 2021 by CEO and major shareholder Bjørn Tore Larsen, Norse Atlantic Airways’ mission is to make long-haul flying affordable again — direct routes, modern airlines, lower emissions, and a Scandinavian-inspired vibe that actually feels fresh.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
💨 Cleaner air, better humidity = less post-flight fatigue
🪟 Huge dimmable windows (no more plastic shades, and apparently the largest on any jet worldwide)
🌱 25% lower CO₂ emissions and 50% quieter than previous-gen jets
💡 Calming LED “natural daylight” cabin lighting
They even claim their Premium Economy is “the best in the world.” Bold words — let’s see how it held up.
how we booked (and how to save more than us)
We booked during peak Greece travel season (August 😬). Prices were rough — $1,300+ per person, plus $150 to pick seats. Which the total $1,670 per person round-trip, including tax.
HERE’S WHAT I WISH WE DID DIFFERENTLY
Set price alerts early via WayAway, Google Flights, Seats.aero, or your credit card travel portal — they scan all airlines at once.
Book off-peak if you can — shoulder seasons (May–June or Sept–Oct) are way cheaper and less crowded.
Use the right credit card portals (Capital One, Chase, Amex, etc.) — you can stack miles or cash-back.
💡 PRO TIP
Always search in an incognito window and compare on at least 2 platforms (WayAway and Google Flights are great). Fares fluctuate — don’t get stuck paying more for the same seat.
check-in & lounges
— Check-in (app) —
Previously, many travelers complained that Norse Atlantic’s app was useless for check-in — you couldn’t get your boarding pass or QR code. That’s now fixed (yay!).
QR boarding pass with wallet options
When we flew JFK → ATH, we were able to check in online, get our QR code, and even add the boarding pass straight to our iPhone Wallets (you can also add it to your Google Wallet as well).
Honestly? Such a time-saver.
We didn’t even have to go to the check-in counter; we walked right into TSA and straight to boarding.
We did notice something odd, though: the “app check-in” actually bounces you back into Norse’s website to check everything in — which makes the app feel redundant?
Another thing is, even with a mobile QR boarding pass, we still got a physical paper ticket printed at the gate when we were in Athens. My guess is that their scanners aren’t fully synced for using a mobile QR code, yet. But still — no counter lines, no stress.
Travel should always be this simple.
— 🛎 Lounge —
Norse sells their own lounge access, but it’s insanely expensive (not worth it on top of our peak ticket prices haha). We didn’t even bother since we already have Priority Pass through our Capital One Venture X card.
JFK (Terminal 7)
Sadly, no Priority Pass lounges on this side of the terminal. But we got through security smoothly and only waited ~30 minutes to board, so honestly, no loss.
Athens (ATH)
We got there super early, found a Priority Pass lounge, grabbed tea and coffee, some small bites to fill our stomachs, and just relaxed away from the terminal chaos.
✈️ UPGRADE YOUR WHOLE TRAVEL GAME
Get Priority Pass here and turn every airport into a little oasis.
Norse Atlantic Premium Economy seat review
First impression? Spacious. Like… insanely spacious for a budget airline.
The cabin runs a 2–3–2 layout with a 43-inch seat pitch — meaning you can actually stretch out without knee-bumping the seat in front of you. My partner’s 5’11” and even he was like, “Whoa, my legs actually have room.”
We were in the very back row, which usually makes us super nervous. Recline panic, anyone?
But Norse designed this Premium Economy section with a gap behind the last row. Flight attendants literally stood back there to let people pass through. We even tucked some stuff behind our seats — no awkward leg shuffling when the person in front reclined. Genius.
Speaking of recline… you’re practically lying. Not lie-flat, but honestly one of the most nap-worthy Premium Economy seats I’ve tried. Add in a legrest and you’re basically horizontal (without paying business class prices).
One trade-off: once the person in front reclines, it’s tight to squeeze out — especially from the middle or window seats. If you’re a frequent bathroom runner, grab an aisle seat in the first few rows for the easiest way out.
What’s worth noting: Norse only flies Economy and Premium Economy — no Business or First Class. It’s a lean, eco-friendly, low-cost setup, which is why this cabin feels like the “top” experience onboard.
For a budget airline, I was pretty impressed. If you care about being comfortable on a long-haul (but aren’t looking to spend a ton on business class), Norse’s Premium Economy really hits that sweet spot.
cabin experience & amenities
For a low-cost airline, Norse Atlantic Premium Economy honestly feels well thought out — simple, comfortable, and with a few clever surprises.
Here’s what stood out:
🔌 Outlet & charging
Every seat has a standard outlet and a USB port.
The outlet is located beneath your chair, while the USB port is positioned below the TV monitor.
Also, it is not the latest USB-C type (which can be frustrating but is common on airlines), so make sure to bring the correct adapter.
For simplicity, I just used the outlet to charge my phone lol.
☁️ Pillow & blanket
The pillows? Basic, non-plush, very “airline standard.”
The blanket? Thin, but long enough to cover you fully — perfect for leg warmth on an overnight flight.
📺 In-seat entertainment
The touchscreen TVs pop up from the armrest (there’s a little lever — be careful if you have long nails, it’s stiff). Remote controls are tucked into the side, but they don’t pull out, so you’ll mostly use the screen. The selection was limited but clear and modern — movies, TV shows, shopping, snacks/drinks for purchase.
PRO TIP: Bring your own plug-in earphones. The ones they hand out? Tiny, disposable, and wasteful for the environment. We invested in good wired earphones — better sound quality and less trash for the earth.
🎁 Amenity kit (or lack thereof)
I’d seen online that Premium Economy gets an amenity kit, but none were on our seats — and none were handed out during the flight. If it still exists, it’s probably just an eye mask and some basics.
We made sure to pack our own personal amenity kit, so this wasn’t a big issue for us.
🌗 Fancy window dimming
No pull-down shades here — instead, the windows gradually tint darker.
It takes a while (I thought mine was broken at first), but it eventually goes pitch black — perfect for sleep without light leaking in.
🍽 Table
The tray table folds two ways — half for drinks, full for meals. Clever, but the headphone jack is awkwardly placed underneath the TV screen, so plug in before opening the tray or your cord will be dangling over your food.
🛜 Wi-Fi (or not)
No onboard Wi-Fi. But that’s okay. Sometimes you just need a little digital detox.
I read, I slept, I detoxed.
💡 Lighting
The overhead LED lights are crisp, white, and bright — great for reading, no weird yellow cast.
🥂 Meals & drinks
As soon as you get settled in your seat, you’ll be offered drinks: water, apple juice, and orange juice in plastic cups as you board.
Once you start flying, a wider range of drinks rolls through (sparkling wine included — yes, please 🥂).
Meals were meh.
I pre-ordered the vegetarian option online. My vegetarian options from JFK→ATH were stir fry with tofu and Greek salad? Alright. Strange combo. Make it Asian, but Greek style.
The ATH→JFK one? Bleh. I don’t even want to talk about my food coming back. It was edible, but not great.
But — huge eco-points — every tray, utensil, and plate was compostable, including wooden cutlery. LOVE.
🚻 Bathrooms
There are two bathrooms in Premium Economy.
They are clean, sensor-flush toilets (so no need to push to flush), with no seat covers (weird), and decent toilet paper.
JFK↔ATH, both flights, the bathrooms looked well-kept, which I appreciated.
👩🏻✈️ Service
Frankly, a highlight! The crew had a good vibe — friendly, relaxed, warm. When flight attendants are happy, the whole flight feels so much better.
Premium Economy baggage policy
| Fare Type | Carry-On | Checked Bag(s) | Seat Selection | Meals | Change/Refund | Priority Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Lite | 1 (15kg/33lb) | - | Paid | 2 | Change fee | ✔ |
| Premium Classic | 1 (15kg/33lb) | 1 (23kg, 50lb) | Paid | 2 | Change fee | ✔ |
| Premium Flextra | 1 (15kg/33lb) | 2 (23kg, 50lb) | Included | 2 | Refundable | ✔ |
Make sure to measure and weigh everything before you head to the airport.
Here’s what’s included for Premium Economy passengers:
PERSONAL ITEM (small backpack, purse, or laptop bag)
Max size: 45 × 36 × 22 cm (17 × 14 × 8 in)
CARRY-ON BAG
Max size: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in)
Max weight: 15 kg / 33 lbs
CHECKED BAGS
Max size: 158 cm / 62 in (total of length + width + height)
Max weight: 23 kg / 50 lbs each
know before you fly!
Here’s the pre-flight tea you’ll wish you sipped before boarding:
🗓 WHEN TO BOOK
Premium Economy sells out fast on popular routes. Book early (especially if you’re flying during summer or holidays) to get the best seats at the lowest price. I usually compare fares on WayAway or Google Flights — it’s the fastest way to see all options in one place.
💺 PICKING THE BEST SEATS
If you hate it when the person in front reclines into your space, choose the front rows. Aisle seats are your friend if you’re a frequent bathroom runner — easier to slip out without disturbing neighbors.
⏩ PRIORITY BOARDING + LOUNGE ACCESS
Want to skip the stress of gate crowding or find a quiet spot to eat before flying? Priority Pass is your best friend — access lounges at airports around the world without paying for airline-by-airline upgrades.
Just double-check if your departure terminal actually has lounges before you leave.
🧳 WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR PERSONAL BAG
Norse didn’t hand out amenity kits on either of my flights — so come prepared! Toss in:
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Eye mask
Neck pillow
Hand lotion
Alcohol wipes (to clean the table, screens, headrest, windows, etc)
Plug-in earphones
Melatonin (or your go-to sleep aid)
🎧 BRING YOUR OWN EARPHONES
Don’t bother with the cheap airline ones — they’re bad for the planet and bad for your ears. Bring your own wired headphones for way better sound (and less plastic waste).
📚 ENTERTAINMENT BACK-UP
No Wi-Fi onboard. If streaming is your thing, download before you go. Otherwise, bring a book, podcast, or journal — sometimes a mid-air digital detox is exactly what you need.
🧼 CLEANLINESS + COMFORT HACKS
Airplane floors are filthy (Norse was no exception, sorry!). Keep your shoes on when walking around, and if you’re a germaphobe (like myself) with a nice bag as a personal item, toss it in a dust bag before sliding it under the seat.
🛟 SAFETY REMINDERS (yes, even for the pros)
Before takeoff and landing:
Seats upright
Tray tables stowed
TVs tucked away
Feet and bags out of the aisle (no surprises from the beverage cart 🚑)
make your trip smoother 🛬
Get everything sorted before you land so you can just relax and explore:
🛎️ FIND HOTELS: via Agoda
🚗 PRIVATE DRIVER: via Daytrip
📷 TOURS & ATTRACTIONS: via GetYourGuide + Klook
📱 eSIM: via Airalo
🛡️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: via Insubuy
final thoughts
If you’re an eco-conscious traveler who wants a comfortable long-haul experience with just a touch of luxury — Norse Atlantic Premium Economy is a fantastic pick. You’ll get spacious seats, great recline, and a quieter cabin without paying Business Class prices.
But if you’re a frequent flyer who loves premium lounges, amenity kits, and polished service — you might feel a bit underwhelmed here. Norse keeps things simple: no indulgences, no extras, just good value where it counts.
Tickets can be significantly cheaper than other airlines (especially on peak dates), but keep in mind you’ll likely pay extra for seat selection, additional snacks & beverages, and checked baggage. Bring your own in-flight essentials (neck pillow, toothpaste, earphones, etc.) since amenity kits aren’t always provided.
💺All in all, worth it for travelers who care more about space, comfort, and price than flashy perks.
✈️ Ready to book? Check prices & reserve your Norse Atlantic Premium Economy flight here
FAQ
Q: Does Norse Atlantic serve food?
A: Yes! Two meals in Premium Economy, plus extra snacks available for purchase.
Q: Can I upgrade after booking?
A: Yes, but fees vary unless you booked Premium Flextra.
Q: Is Norse Atlantic safe?
A: Yes — modern fleet, solid safety record, and very smooth flights and landings in my experience.
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Norse Atlantic: About us
Norse Atlantic: Baggage rules and information
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08022025 13:23 | 08092025 08:45
Thinking about flying long-haul without blowing your budget or your back? I tried Norse Atlantic Airways Premium Economy on a 9+ hour NYC ↔ Greece route so you don’t have to guess if it’s worth it. From legroom and meals to baggage rules and hidden costs, here’s everything you should know — plus how to snag the best fares before they sell out.