The U.S. Department of Transportation has submitted a proposal to permit Norwegian Air International to begin operations within the United States. If approved, Norwegian would launch nonstop flights between Boston (BOS) and Cork, Ireland (ORK), using Boeing 787 Dreamliners for the transatlantic sector and Boeing 737 aircraft on other routes.
Bjørn Kjos, CEO of the Norwegian Group, said the final approval—based on the Open Skies Agreement between the United States and the European Union—would benefit both consumers and the broader economy on both sides of the Atlantic. He noted that expanding U.S. operations would allow Norwegian to increase its presence in the market, support thousands of jobs and contribute tens of millions of dollars in economic activity to the Group’s U.S. destinations.
Analysts expect the new service to introduce more affordable and competitive fares for American travelers, while also encouraging an uptick in European visitation to the United States. Lower fares and increased frequency on the Boston–Cork route could make transatlantic travel more accessible for leisure and business travelers alike, stimulating tourism and trade.
Approval would mark another step in transatlantic air service growth under Open Skies, a framework intended to expand competition and connectivity between U.S. and European carriers. For passengers, that typically translates into more travel options, better scheduling choices, and improved pricing pressure across competing carriers.
Norwegian’s planned deployment of Boeing 787 Dreamliners—known for greater fuel efficiency and passenger comfort on long-haul flights—signals an emphasis on economic and environmental efficiency. Using 737s for shorter segments allows flexible capacity management across the airline’s network.
The decision ultimately rests with regulators, and if the permit is granted, travellers can expect direct Boston–Cork service operated by Norwegian Air International. Such a route would strengthen links between New England and Ireland, supporting both business ties and leisure travel opportunities.