Norse Atlantic Airways, a European low-cost carrier, recently announced its latest service between the U.S. and Europe. The airline will be flying between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Athens International Airport (ATH) in Greece. Bookings for this new route are now open, with a limited-time promotional deal available.
Starting from this summer, Norse will operate the route up to five times weekly between May 30 and Oct. 26. The flights will be operated using their Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is the only aircraft in their fleet. This new route to Greece will be the sixth European destination served nonstop by Norse from JFK. Other destinations from JFK include London Gatwick Airport (LGW), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), and Oslo Airport (OSL) in Norway.
Norse executives cited growing interest among U.S. travelers in visiting Greece as the reason for adding this new route. They believe that this route will not only cater to the demand for travel to Greece but also create opportunities for cultural exchange and business collaborations between the two vibrant destinations. The new Athens flights complement the airline’s growing U.S. route map. By July 2024, Norse plans to serve a variety of city pairs, including flights to six European airports from six U.S. airports.
According to scheduling data from Cirium, between June and July, the number of seats Norse will offer between the U.S. and Europe will be up 57% from the same months in 2023. This indicates the increasing popularity of the airline and its routes.
When it comes to prices, for most of the summer, passengers can expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $1,000 round trip for an economy flight from New York to Athens. While this is steeper than what you would typically pay to fly from the U.S. to London, it is important to note that the flight to Athens is longer. Norse advertised fares starting as low as $249, but these prices are generally only available after the busiest summer period, in September and October, and usually only in one direction.
For example, when searching for late-September flights between New York and Athens, there are a handful of outbound flights that start at $249 one-way for an economy ticket. Combined with the return trip, the base fare comes to around $496 round trip. However, it’s important to keep in mind that as a low-cost carrier, Norse’s lowest fare does not include bags or seat selection. By selecting a fare that includes a full-size carry-on and checked bag, the round-trip total comes to $656. Additionally, passengers will need to pay at least $25 one-way for seat selection. Norse also offers a premium cabin experience, similar to a premium economy on other airlines, with fares starting at just over $1,400 for a round trip in September.
In conclusion, Norse Atlantic Airways is expanding its service to the U.S. with flights from New York to a half-dozen cities in Europe planned by mid-2024. This new route to Athens will provide direct access for New York travelers to the popular Greek city. From there, passengers can easily book flights to other destinations in Greece or Europe using other low-cost carriers.