Norwegian Starts Offering Free Wi-Fi on Long-Haul Flights

Norwegian is upgrading the passenger experience by introducing inflight Wi-Fi on its growing long-haul fleet of aircraft.

Norwegian became the first carrier to offer free Wi-Fi on all European routes in 2011 and the first European airline to successfully offer live television in the skies in 2015. Since 2013, Norwegian has rapidly grown its long-haul network and today offers more than 60 long-haul routes between Europe, the USA, South America and Asia.

Norwegian customers flying between Europe, USA, South America and Asia will be able to stay connected in the skies with the rollout of free and premium high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity on the carrier’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft.

The first connected Norwegian Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (reg: G-CKWP), featuring American author Mark Twain on the tailfin, was delivered on 18 December 2018.

More than 50% of Norwegian’s 787-9 Dreamliner fleet is expected to offer in-flight connectivity by 2020. The rollout of Wi-Fi on the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will commence from mid-January 2019.

Norwegian economy and Premium customers on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 737 MAX will have the choice of two inflight Wi-Fi packages.

The Basic option is free and will allow customers to browse the web, stay-up-to-date on social media, send and receive emails and instant messages with friends, family and colleagues by using their personal mobile phones, tablets and laptops on board for the full length of the flight.

The Premium option is fast enough to stream music, movies and television shows on Netflix, YouTube and Hulu among others.

Premium high-speed Wi-Fi will be available at an introductory price of $14.95 USD / €12.95 EUR for a three-hour package. Customers can select their preferred currency when choosing the Wi-Fi package.

Norwegian's Vice President Business Development, Boris Bubresko, said, “We’re continuously improving the inflight customer experience and we’re delighted to be the first airline offering free Wi-Fi for the full duration of long-haul flights. Millions of Norwegian customers have already enjoyed free Wi-Fi over the skies of Europe and now long-haul passengers can continue to rely on free and high-speed internet connectivity that will enhance and personalise their journeys. From being the first European airline to launch free Wi-Fi on all short-haul flights followed by free live television, Norwegian’s rollout of high-quality inflight broadband services will offer business and leisure travellers even greater value at affordable fares.”

In the UK, Norwegian currently operates 15 nonstop long-haul routes from London Gatwick to Austin, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami (from 31 March), New York, Orlando, Rio de Janeiro (from 31 March), San Francisco (from 1 April), Seattle, Singapore and Tampa.

In 2019, Norwegian will take delivery of five brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 19 737 MAX aircraft. Norwegian currently operates 24 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of its overall Dreamliner fleet of 32 aircraft.

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