Norwegian Air Shuttle is continuing its long haul network growth, with plans to introduce services from London Gatwick to Chicago O’Hare International and Austin, Texas.
Norwegian Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – Image Norwegian CC4.0
Chicago will see a four times a week operation, whilst Austin gets a three-time a week operation.
The timetable for both routes looks like this:
London to Chicago
DY7151 DEPART LGW 10:00 ARRIVE ORD 12:35 DY7152 DEPART ORD 15:15 ARRIVE LGW 05:00+1 Commences: 25th March 2018 Operates Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays Booked Equipment: Boeing 787-9
London to Austin
DY7181 DEPART LGW 10:00 ARRIVE AUS 14:05 DY7182 DEPART AUS 16:20 ARRIVE LGW 07:25+1 Commences: 28th March 2018 Operates Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Booked Equipment: Boeing 787-9 Data: Norwegian/Routes Online
Norwegian will be using its two class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft , which have 35 Premium seats and 309 Economy Class seats.
Lead-in prices start at £179.90 in Economy Class to Chicago, and £239.90 to Austin. Premium fares start at £499.90 to Chicago, £579.90 to Austin. All prices are one-way.
Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos on the launch of the booking of the new routes state
Once again we have put the UK at the heart of our ambitious expansion plans, with affordable fares to another two exciting US destinations. As America’s third biggest city, Chicago is perfect addition to our growing networks while Austin has also become a major hub for leisure and business travel so we are delighted to offer passengers more choice and lower fares to these vibrant cities.
Many people said low-cost long-haul would never work but three years, 13 routes and 1.5 million UK passengers later and Norwegian has shown there is huge demand for more affordable long-haul travel.”
For Norwegians competitors, this could start getting worrying. Whilst the new flights do not represent a full daily operation, it should give cause for United Airlines, British Airways, American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic to consider their options and answers to Norwegian’s challenge – who have grown to be the second largest long haul carrier out of London Gatwick.
For customers – it’s more choice for those who are going across the Atlantic, and want to be selective how they travel.
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