NORWEGIAN
Norwegian is putting its newest B787-9 aircraft on the New York route with a large premium cabin, since it believes the demand is there from business travellers wanting a greater degree of comfort.
As you’d expect with a Dreamliner B787-9, the windows are large and there’s lots of head room and good size overhead lockers. Premium seats are in a grey leather with red antimacassars on the head rests and have a seat pitch of 43 inches. Seats are in a 2-3-2 configuration (AC-DEF-GJ) running from row 1 back to row 8.
The seats are comfortable to sit in, and also to sleep in. However, the seat reclines old style, so that it moves into the space of the passenger behind. The IFE screens come out of the arm of the seat – which means, of course, you can’t watch it during take-off and landing as you can in economy class. However, the IFE screen is touchscreen which makes it easy to use.
There is in-seat AC power for devices and a USB point in the IFE screen that has a small charge and gradually powers up your device.
Soon after take-off, we were offered apple juice, orange juice or water. At each seat is a blanket in a plastic wrapper. When I unwrapped the blanket, it had quite a nice feel to it and since the seat next to me was empty, I used its blanket as a back bolster and the other to cover myself for the flight and when sleeping.
No amenity bags were offered, but earphones were given out after take-off. I have noise-cancelling headphones and I’d recommend regulars to buy some or take their own. The inflight entertainment choice was fairly limited so I hung my iPad over the system and watched my own entertainment, but if you don’t fly much there was a small choice of quite up-to-date Hollywood films.
After a while, the drinks service came round. The choice was prosecco, Heineken beer, one white wine – a Michel Lynch Bordeaux 2016 Sauvignon blanc – and one red, a Cabernet Syrah -Domaine L’Ostal Cazes Grand Vin Minervois 2016.
Shortly afterwards, the meal service came round with a choice of three main courses: lamb rump in a rosemary jus, roast potatoes, grilled asparagus and a mint pea puree, hake in a beurre blanc, or chicken with potato gratin. The food was tasty and hot.
The tray table comes out of the other arm of the chair and was good and firm – great for both eating and working on my laptop.
The flight attendants then offered other drinks, including a basket of miniature Baileys, Cognac and whisky with plastic glasses prefilled with ice (and without) – a nice and economical touch. Tea and coffee were offered as well.
After lunch I wanted to sleep for a while. Although the lights had been dimmed, the cabin was still very light, so I asked if there were any eye masks and ear plugs. The answer was an apology, but no. The flight attendant said he had an eye mask of his own if I’d like to borrow it. I was very grateful, and got an hour’s sleep, which I needed after an early start that day. This was typical of the excellent service.
About 90 minutes before landing, a second meal service took place. This was a quiche salad (there wasn’t a choice) and drinks.
This was a very good flight and what most impressed, other than the very low price, was the standard of the service on board.
Having flown long haul with Norwegian in premium to and from London and New York, it really is an excellent service, and very inexpensive compared to the competition.