I don’t know a single person who isn’t down for a trip to Europe. Whether you want to stroll the cobblestoned streets of London, delight in a croissant from the cafes of Paris, or float down the canals of Amsterdam, there are endless cities that have American tourists coming in by the droves. But it’s no secret that overseas trips can cost a pretty penny, especially when you’re shelling out the big bucks for fancy hotels and Michelin-starred meals. The place I recommend cutting costs is on your flights. Hear me out.
RECOMMENDED: Black Friday comes early with $129 flights to Europe
I consider myself a passenger princess when it comes to flying, especially when it comes to long or overnight flights—business class is the only way to go. Unfortunately, my bank account disagrees, so I have to pick and choose when and where I splurge. When I read about Norse Atlantic Airways, my interest was piqued: the budget airline offers passengers cheap flights overseas, and I figured that if I were going to fly economy on a more well-established airline, I might as well try this out. So I found myself on a Norse Airways flight from New York City to Athens, Greece, during peak tourist season—the summer.
The first thing I loved about flying on Norse was that the airline flew out of JFK’s Terminal 7, a relatively sleepy terminal where security was a breeze and there was plenty of seating (and a currency exchange!). I’ll take a nonexistent security line any day.
Now, if you’re booking regular economy seats on Norse, prices start at $199 for a one-way fare, but if you up your budget a bit, you can snag the airline’s Premium seating starting at $498. By comparison, a regular booking on Delta from NYC to Athens will cost about $493 for Basic Economy and $958 for Premium Select seats for a one-way trip. You do the math.
I opted for Norse’s Premium Light seating, which came with 43 inches of legroom, wider seats, a free amenity kit, priority boarding, and onboard meals and drinks. The comfort level of these seats was way better compared to economy seating on most airlines. I didn’t feel cramped or claustrophobic, and I enjoyed a lovely welcome drink. The staff aboard the airline was so welcoming and friendly. My trip was already off to a great start.
We all know how much of a hassle travel can be, especially if you find yourself next to a manspreader or a rude seatmate. These more spacious seats allowed me to relax more than usual while still saving money. Business and first-class seats are usually reserved for special occasions (at least in my world), so if you are planning on booking an economy-class seat, remember that there are other options out there that can bring you a bit more comfort while flying. I didn’t expect to turn into a budget airline girly, but here we are.
What's included in a Premium ticket on Norse Atlantic Airways?
There are three levels of Premium seating on Norse. Premium Light includes one personal item, a carry-on bag up to 33 pounds, two meals, premium boarding, priority check-in and the ability to change your ticket with a fee. Premium Classic is the next tier and includes the same as Light plus a checked bag of up to 50 pounds. Premium Flextra gives you two checked bags and the ability to choose your seat.
