Long-haul LCC Norse Atlantic Airways has operated its first flight from Oslo to New York JFK, laying the foundations for its Europe-U.S. transatlantic network.

The inaugural Boeing 787 flight departed Oslo at 7:50 p.m. local time on June 14, with a full passenger load. The Oslo-New York service will move to daily starting July 4.

Flights between Oslo and Fort Lauderdale will begin on June 18, followed by Orlando on July 5 and Los Angeles on Aug. 9. All three routes will operate 3X-weekly from Oslo. 

Additional Norse Atlantic operations from London Gatwick to Oslo and Gatwick-JFK will launch Aug. 12, followed by Berlin-JFK on Aug. 17 and Berlin-Los Angeles on Aug. 19.

The airline’s 787s have an economy and a premium cabin, with the latter configured with a 43” seat pitch and a 12” recline.

Norse Atlantic Airways was founded in March 2021 by shipping veteran Bjørn Tore Larsen, who is also the airline’s majority shareholder and CEO. Speaking at the recent Routes Europe event in Bergen, Larsen said he had access to 15 Boeing 787s at very affordable prices. This triggered the creation of Norse Atlantic. The airline has two air operator’s certificates, enabling it to operate from both Norway and the UK.

Norse Atlantic will progressively build its fleet to 15 aircraft and the new carrier is progressively forming partnerships with other airlines to provide feed for its long-haul flights. 

“I have only one ambition, and that is not to go bankrupt,” Larsen said. “Everybody knows that starting an airline is close to insanity, and it’s a very good way of losing a whole lot of money, but I still think there is an entry point where it could be attractive, if you execute it properly. We are probably not going to do everything right, but we are fast learners.”