Norse Atlantic Airways Shifts Focus to Southeast Asia, Cuts US Routes

Norse Atlantic Airways is making significant changes to its flight operations this winter, shifting its focus from North America to Southeast Asia. The Oslo-based airline plans to launch five new routes connecting Europe with popular destinations in Thailand. However, according to a report by Ishrion Aviation, the airline will discontinue three of its US routes, reducing its American operations to just five routes this winter. Simple Flying has reached out to Norse Atlantic Airways for comment on these developments.

Routes Being Discontinued

Ishrion Aviation has identified the three US routes that Norse Atlantic will cease this winter. The low-cost, long-haul airline will stop flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), from Oslo International Airport (OSL) to Miami International Airport (MIA), and from Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BER) to Miami (MIA). This decision marks another instance of Norse Atlantic trimming its transatlantic network, having previously axed the London Gatwick to Miami route.

The airline’s service from London Gatwick to Las Vegas operated twice weekly using a Boeing 787-9, configured with 338 seats in a high-density layout. While load factors do not directly indicate a route’s profitability, they provide some insight into performance. Available data suggests that load factors were notably low, coinciding with the upcoming launch of a new route to Bangkok.

Comparative Analysis and Competition

Last winter, Norse Atlantic operated all these routes, with the London Gatwick to Las Vegas route flown 14 times in December, the Berlin Brandenburg to Miami route eight times, and the Oslo to Miami route just four times, according to Cirium data. Notably, some of these routes face significant competition. For instance, four other airlines, including American Airlines and British Airways, offer nonstop direct flights from London Gatwick to Las Vegas. However, the Berlin to Miami and Oslo to Miami routes are exclusive to Norse Atlantic.

“Four other airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, and Iberia, offer nonstop direct flights from London Gatwick to Las Vegas.”

Expanding into Southeast Asia

The suspension of these routes appears to be a strategic move to accommodate new flights connecting Europe to Thailand. Norse Atlantic has announced new routes from Stockholm (ARN) to Bangkok (BKK) and Phuket (HKT), launching on October 22 and December 4, respectively. The Oslo to Phuket route will begin on December 8, 2025, followed by the London Gatwick to Bangkok route starting October 26, 2025. Additionally, a new route between Manchester Airport (MAN) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) will commence on November 26, 2025, marking the first direct connection between Manchester and Thailand’s capital.

“With over 100,000 passengers currently traveling indirectly between Manchester and Bangkok each year, this new route represents a significant move toward serving one of the region’s largest unmet long-haul markets.”

Norse Atlantic’s Fleet and Future Prospects

Currently, Norse Atlantic Airways operates eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with an average age of 7.1 years, according to ch-aviation data. The airline is also awaiting the delivery of an additional Boeing 787-9. These aircraft can accommodate 338 passengers in a two-class cabin layout: 56 in premium economy and 282 in economy class. Previously, Norse Atlantic operated Boeing 787-8 aircraft, but they have since returned them to their lessors, focusing solely on the Boeing 787-9 for streamlined operations.

The move to expand into Southeast Asia aligns with broader industry trends, as airlines seek to capitalize on growing travel demand in the region. With Thailand being a popular destination for European travelers, Norse Atlantic’s strategic shift could position the airline favorably in the competitive long-haul market.

As the airline adjusts its operations, industry observers will be watching closely to see how these changes impact Norse Atlantic’s market presence and financial performance in the coming months.