Folks in the US have been enjoying budget airline Norwegian Air’s cheap tickets to Europe and seasonal flights to the Caribbean. They fly new planes, have free Wi-Fi, and often have amazing fare sales!
But a group of lawmakers in the US House of Representatives introduced legislation attempting to block Norwegian Air from continuing to operate in the US because of safety and labor concerns.
Norwegian Air Operates Modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners on Routes Between the US and Europe & the Caribbean
I’ll explain why lawmakers are concerned and how this could affect Norwegian Air in the US.
What the Lawmakers Say
Norwegian Air started flying to and from the US in 2014. And their fares are often much cheaper than US airlines on the same routes (but you’ll pay extra fees for just about everything!)
Lawmakers are concerned that the Norwegian Air subsidiary that operates US routes works around US safety and labor rules while paying foreign pilots below-market rates.
This is NOT the first time US legislators have attempted to block Norwegian Air. In 2014, a bill was also introduced attempting to deny approval of Norwegian Air. But the bill did not move forward because the US Senate did not act on the legislation.
So the Department of Transportation granted tentative approval to Norwegian Air. However, the Department of Transportation is now accepting comments through May 13, 2016, before giving their final approval.
What Norwegian Air Says
Norwegian Air currently flies from 8 US airports to 6 international destinations.
With Norwegian Air’s proposed new routes for 2016, the airline would operate 38 non-stop routes from the US including:
Boston to:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- London, United Kingdom
- Oslo, Norway
Fort Lauderdale to:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- London, United Kingdom
- Oslo, Norway
- Stockholm, Sweden
Las Vegas to:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Stockholm, Sweden
Los Angeles to:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- London, United Kingdom
- Oslo, Norway
- Paris, France
- Stockholm, Sweden
New York (JFK) to:
- Bergen, Norway
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- London, United Kingdom
- Paris, France
- Stockholm, Sweden
Oakland to:
- London, United Kingdom
- Oslo, Norway
- Stockholm, Sweden
Orlando to:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- London, United Kingdom
- Oslo, Norway
Norwegian Air has responded to the proposed legislation with a public statement opposing the proposed bill, citing their support of US jobs by flying Boeing airplanes and hiring US-based flight crews.
They have also released information countering any misinformation. Since flying to the US, Norwegian says they’ve created hundreds of airline and tourism jobs in the US.
All employees are employed by labor laws in the country in which they are based. The airline also meets the requirements established by US and European airline regulations. And it has a safety record in line with many US airlines.
My Thoughts on the News and Norwegian Air
I like more airline options because it keeps airfare prices low, encourages competition, and gives folks more choices for Big Travel with Small Money to great destinations!
Some folks think the legislation is aimed to prevent new competition for US airlines. New routes with cheaper fares would cause many US airlines to have to reduce airfare prices or offer improved service.
My friend flew on Norwegian Air from New York to Martinique this past winter. He had a pleasant experience and the airfare was very cheap!
Bottom Line
There’s proposed legislation to block Norwegian Air from operating to and from the US, even though they’ve been flying here since 2014!
They say Norwegian Air bypasses US safety and labor laws by hiring lower paid, foreign crewmembers. But many of these claims have NOT been proven. Folks like Norwegian Air because they have cheap flights to terrific destinations in Europe and the Caribbean!
I hope this legislation doesn’t go through. Because more routes and airlines mean more competition and lower fares!
Have you flown Norwegian Air? Please share your experiences in the comments!
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Comments
- $90 for checked baggage, meal and seat reservation is a great ... by JonB
- The major airlines should not see low cost carriers as ... by Kang
- Mike, Why don't you also ask the crew how much they were ... by John
- Please educate yourself on how Norwegian is trying to game the ... by John
- This is nothing more than the U.S. and European Transatlantic ... by Kyle