Anders Lindström, Norwegian Air Shuttle’s director of communications for the U.S., discusses the airline’s expanding route network and its sustainability initiatives.
Global Traveler: Norwegian’s young, fuel-efficient fleet deserves major applause for its sustainability credentials.
Anders Lindström: Norwegian is proud to operate one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprised entirely of American-built Boeing aircraft. This modern fleet makes us one of the most fuel-efficient transatlantic carriers, as recognized by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Newer aircraft deliver lower operating costs and better fuel economy, which helps us keep fares competitive. The combination of modern technology and efficient operations gives us a clear advantage over many legacy carriers in both Europe and the United States.
© Norwegian Air
GT: What does the fleet currently look like?
AL: At the moment we operate 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and planned growth will expand that number to around 40 by 2020. As the fleet grows, more aircraft will be assigned to U.S. routes. We are committed to the U.S. market, which continues to perform strongly for us.
GT: What do those route expansions look like?
AL: This summer we’re adding several transatlantic routes from the United States. New services include Los Angeles (LAX) to Milan (MXP) beginning June 17, Los Angeles to Madrid (MAD) starting July 15, and New York (JFK) to Madrid launching July 17. For many U.S. cities, Paris (CDG) is often the first European destination we serve, followed by Barcelona (BCN) and Rome (FCO). This season we’re also increasing frequencies and adding connections to Amsterdam (AMS), Madrid and Milan from New York and Los Angeles as part of our continued network growth.
These additions reflect Norwegian’s strategy of offering high-quality, low-cost transatlantic travel by combining fuel-efficient aircraft with a focus on key city pairs. As demand grows, we’ll keep evaluating opportunities to expand service while maintaining operational efficiency and strong sustainability performance.