Norse Atlantic Expands Winter Schedule with 19% More Flights

Norse Atlantic has announced a significant increase in its winter flight schedule for the 2025/26 season, ramping up operations by approximately 19.4%. According to data from aviation analytics provider Cirium, the airline plans to operate around 1,051 flights between November and February, compared to 880 flights during the same period last year. This expansion will offer approximately 57,798 additional seats to travelers.

The Norwegian low-cost carrier has recently restructured its network, notably reducing its presence in the United States by nearly half, despite reporting a strong financial performance earlier this year. In the second quarter of 2025, Norse Atlantic saw a 27% increase in passenger revenue, with a remarkable 97% load factor and a 36% year-over-year growth in passenger numbers.

Focus on Southeast Asia and New Routes

A key aspect of Norse Atlantic’s winter strategy is its expansion into Thailand, where it has launched five new direct services. Flights now connect the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway with Bangkok and Phuket. Utilizing its fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the airline operates three to five weekly flights from London Gatwick to Bangkok, which commenced on October 26. Additionally, a new daily service from Manchester to Bangkok was introduced on the same day, marking Manchester’s first direct route to the Thai capital.

Notably, more than 100,000 passengers travel annually from Manchester to Bangkok through connecting hubs, indicating a strong demand for direct flights. Furthermore, Norse has expanded operations from Northern Europe, starting twice-weekly flights between Stockholm and Bangkok on October 22, with additional weekly services from Stockholm to Phuket launching on December 4 and from Oslo to Phuket on December 8.

Travel from both the UK and Sweden to Thailand has shown robust growth. The Tourism Authority of Thailand reported that between January and September 2025, Thailand received 757,960 visitors from the UK, a 13.66% increase year-on-year, and 145,188 visitors from Sweden, reflecting an 8.56% rise.

Scaling Back US Operations

While expanding its services in Southeast Asia, Norse Atlantic has also reduced its transatlantic routes. The airline is discontinuing several US connections, facing challenges in maintaining profitable winter operations. It has ended routes from London Gatwick to Las Vegas and Miami, despite previously strong load factors. For example, the Miami route, initiated in 2023, struggled with an average load of 69%, below the network-wide average of 75% for US routes.

The airline’s final Paris to New York flight occurred on October 17, 2025, ending a brief service that operated just three times weekly. Additionally, Norse has halted its London Gatwick to Las Vegas route after just six months due to persistent challenges in profitability. Consequently, the airline will operate only three routes to the US this winter: London Gatwick to New York JFK (four to six weekly flights), London Gatwick to Orlando (three to four weekly), and Rome Fiumicino to New York JFK (six times weekly, except Wednesday) through January 11, 2026.

Leasing Strategy and Market Adjustments

Norse Atlantic’s strategic adjustments reflect the complexities of the long-haul low-cost market. The airline is seeing increased demand for flights to Southern Africa, slightly increasing capacity on the London Gatwick to Cape Town route with up to six weekly flights.

To ensure better aircraft utilization and steady revenue, Norse is shifting towards ACMI operations, leasing out its aircraft to other airlines. Notably, Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has agreed to wet-lease six of Norse’s Boeing 787-9s by the end of the year, constituting half of its active fleet.

This shift underscores the airline’s cautious approach to the volatile market, ensuring consistent income streams regardless of fluctuating passenger demand. As Norse Atlantic navigates these changes, it remains focused on optimizing its operations and capitalizing on emerging travel trends.