Norse Atlantic Airways will launch a new transatlantic service for the summer 2025 season, adding flights between Rome and Los Angeles.
Yet the Scandinavian carrier looks set to trim its network in other areas, according to the latest schedules data, including the removal of two long-haul routes from Oslo and reduced frequencies on several sectors, such as flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). However, the carrier says the schedule is still being finalized.
The new route connecting Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will start on May 22, 2025, operating three times per week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The service will compete with ITA Airways, which offered daily flights during the summer 2024 season using a mix of Airbus A330-900neo and A350-900 equipment.
Norse also plans to increase frequencies between Oslo Airport (OSL) and Los Angeles, moving from twice a week this past summer to three times per week in 2025. Flights will operate from May 23 through Sept. 26.
However, OAG Schedules Analyser data reveals that Norse plans to suspend routes from OSL to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and Miami International Airport (MIA) after the winter 2024-25 season. Unlike this year, operations will therefore not continue into the summer months.
Additionally, several other routes look set to see frequency reductions next summer. From London Gatwick (LGW), Norse flights to Miami will reduce from up to 7X-weekly during high summer to 3X-weekly, while operations to New York JFK will shrink from double-daily to daily at peak times. Other routes, like Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Rome Fiumicino to New York JFK, will also see cuts.
Overall, analysis of the latest summer 2025 schedules shows significant capacity reductions when compared with the summer 2024 season. The OAG data reveals that Norse intends to reduce LGW-MIA capacity by 48%, LGW-JFK by 39%, CDG-JFK by 24%, FCO-JFK by 18% and LGW-LAX by 17% among others. However, Athens-JFK will see an increase of 12%.
In a statement to Aviation Week, Norse said: “We continuously review and adjust our route network as needed. Our summer 2025 schedule is still being finalized, and we haven’t yet completed loading all routes. As always, we can only confirm routes once they are finalized and officially published.”
In August, Norse announced plans to streamline its fleet by operating only 787-9 aircraft and increase its focus on charter and ACMI flying to boost profitability. The carrier took delivery of two 787-9s in May, raising its fleet to 12, and agreed to return three leased 787-8s.
Norse is also shifting its business strategy to dedicate at least half of its winter capacity to ACMI and charter flights, with multi-year contracts under negotiation. Additionally, the airline is soon to join the Global Distribution System (GDS) this year to expand sales to corporate and leisure travel agents.
The company’s second quarter (Q2) net loss narrowed to $31.9 million from $35.1 million in Q2 2023. Revenue per passenger fell to $380 in the June quarter, from $425 in the year-earlier period.
Earlier in October, Norwegian media reported that Norse intends to cut approximately 34 positions at its head office, including 22 full-time staff. In response to this, the airline said: “Maintaining a low cost base is a core part of our business strategy. We regularly review our costs and adapt quickly when we see room for improvement. Our business strategy has evolved, as has our network, which in turn requires different skill sets and staffing levels in some areas.”
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