Norwegian long haul flights on their Boeing 787 aircraft have a standard economy cabin, as well as a premium cabin, which Ben recently reviewed here. This product is really a 'premium economy' product rather than a 'business class' product (don't expect a flat bed or dine on demand), but is comparable to premium economy on…
Continue reading: Norwegian Removes Lounge Access For Some Premium Passengers
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
There are some clear regulatory issues on this one. Leave to me to investigate. After all, I AM THE REGULATOR
I've only flown Norwegian premium a few times and the lounge they give access to is almost always a priority pass one. Not a huge loss. But still a big negative for those expecting it. I guess they are trying to generate a little extra money by cutting promised benefits.
SAS offers lounge access to their premium economy (SAS Plus) passengers on long haul flights.
These passengers will have access to SAS lounges - which are available in Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, New York and Chicago.
If the passenger have a connection to those hubs, he or her will obviously have access there as well if there is a SAS Lounge (like Paris or smaller Scandinavian airports).
SAS also provides lounge access for all SAS+ passengers. Was able to access it in EWR before my TATL. Not to mention, they make it very easy to bid ahead of time or pay for gate upgrades. $300 to move from deep discount SAS+ to lie-flat from EWR to CPH. No brainer for a really underrated biz product.
SAS actually provides lounge access for SAS Plus customers on both short- and longhaul. See https://www.flysas.com/us-en/fly-with-us/travel-extras/lounge-access/
Does anyone know if Norwegian provides lounge access to Premium Flex Passengers flying ARN-JFK? If so, what is the lounge?
Well James your Dec 31 article did mention that they were planing to $230 million, make you wonder where the rest of their extensive cost cutting initiative will hit.
@Bryan Meisel
If I'm reading the Norwegian website correctly, they use the Menzies Lounge in ARN T5.
Does this change apply to ex-Gatwick flights only, or all Norwegian flights with Premium cabin?
I've used their available/assigned lounges at both OAK and CDG. OAK's is quite good, despite being crowded; better catering than many US-based legacy carrier lounges. CDG, not so much...
I believe you can buy a day pass for No. 1 lounge for like $40-$50, much cheaper than a Flex ticket. Is it worth the extra $ is a matter of opinion. I personally wasn't so impressed with the lounge offerings. I'd rather spend that money on a decent meal at one of the restaurants in the terminal. It would also give you many more culinary options than the menu at No. 1. That is unless you plan on a few drinks, in which case the bar saving may make the lounge worth it.
Having flown with Norwegian and been to No. 1 Lounge South Terminal at Gatwick, i am not surprised at this move at all. During my visits the lounge has been quite overcrowd, and it's really not a large lounge to start off with. With so many Transatlantic flights leaving from Gatwick on Norwegian now and the new 787-9s having added another 20 premium seats, it completely makes sense that lounge access would be soon lost.
On my last visit I flew for the first time a connecting Norwegian flight, from Boston, to Gatwick to Stockholm. I was a bit surprised to find that my Premium flight from the US did not allow me access to the lounge since my departing Gatwick flight was domestic without a "Premium" option. I would have thought that being connecting flights, this would have been included or maybe at least offered as a discounted upgrade (discounted from the normal entry fee).
While financially it's probably unrealistic right now, i am somewhat surprised that Norwegian doesn't simply build a lounge for themselves at Gatwick, it having become a major HUB for them. Not only would the be able to offer access to premium customers but also offer a reasonable upgrade cost for economy.
While Norwegian's Premium product is not comparable to modern day business class, i do feel it is a step above (and often much cheaper) than larger carrier's Premium economy usually offering wider seats, with more pitch and power.
When you say "will not allow" lounge access, does that mean you cannot access the lounge via Priority Pass or other means if you are flying on Norwegian?
@ Sean M - no changes to PP entry entitlements. I would note Norwegian lounge access is guaranteed (for PremiumFlex) while PP access is subject to capacity.
Head for Points reported this but said the following:
Norwegian is saying that anyone who booked a Premium ticket before 21st December will still get lounge access, but you will need to visit a check-in counter to pick up a paper invitation. Hand-baggage only customers cannot simply turn up at the lounge and gain access.