Those who have been following route developments will know that Norse Atlantic has significantly reduced its US network this year. Over the years, several carriers have attempted to establish a sustainable low-cost model on long-haul routes, particularly across the transatlantic market. However, the market remains highly competitive, and budget carriers often struggle with cost pressures, seasonal demand swings, and yield volatility.

Norse Atlantic is currently facing similar challenges. Therefore, it is adjusting its network and shifting capacity to markets it believes are more sustainable. This year, according to data from aviation analytics provider Cirium, the airline’s overall US capacity is down by around 44%. In fact, for the summer season, it has trimmed nearly 39% of its US flights compared with last year.

Norse Is Flying Only Seven US Routes This Summer

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The airline has withdrawn several transatlantic routes over the past year. Among the routes that have been suspended are Paris Charles de Gaulle–New York JFK and London Gatwick–Miami, both of which ended in October last year. The carrier has also exited Berlin–New York JFK and Oslo–New York JFK. In addition, Norse has dropped its longest route, Athens–Los Angeles, which it only launched in June 2025. It is worth noting that on several of these routes, the airline recorded solid load factors at different points in the year.

However, as previously analyzed by Simple Flying, Norse struggled to sustain strong demand during the summer season, which is typically the most important revenue period for airlines operating transatlantic flights. Now, the airline’s US operation has been scaled back to just seven routes for the 2026 summer season, including its daily services from Rome Fiumicino to New York JFK, London Gatwick to New York JFK, and London Gatwick to Orlando.

Norse Atlantic Bets On ACMI As Transatlantic Margins Remain Thin

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Indeed, as noted earlier, the transatlantic market is one of the most competitive markets. According to Cirium schedule data, airlines have scheduled more than 186,000 flights between Europe and the United States this year. In fact, during the peak summer period alone, between July and September, more than 57,000 transatlantic flights are planned.

Over the years, several airlines have attempted to build a sustainable low-cost long-haul model on these routes, but most have struggled to make it work. For instance, Norse Atlantic’s predecessor, Norwegian Long Haul, struggled to make the model profitable, mainly due to high competition and thin margins; Norse is facing similar changes. Therefore, it has shifted its strategy toward ACMI operations.

Rather than relying solely on its own ticket sales, the airline is expanding its wet- and damp-lease business, providing aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance to other airlines. This allows it to generate stable revenue regardless of the passenger demand. The airline currently operates a fleet of around 12 Boeing 787-9s. Indian carrier IndiGo has already agreed to lease six of these aircraft. Norse has said it plans to continue expanding its ACMI business alongside its remaining long-haul routes.

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How Norse Atlantic’s New Revenue Model Is Driving Financial Growth

Norse Atlantic benefited from returning three Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which it had been subleasing, to their lessor.

Norse Atlantic Has Been Shifting Its Focus To Thailand

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Furthermore, with its US network now scaled back, Norse has shifted its focus toward other long-haul leisure markets, particularly Thailand, where demand remains strong. Last year, the airline launched five new nonstop routes to the country, linking the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway with Bangkok and Phuket.

From the UK, the airline now operates between three and five weekly flights between London Gatwick and Bangkok. It also flies one weekly service from Manchester to Bangkok. Both routes are scheduled to run through the winter season until the end of March.

Besides, in October last year, Norse launched twice-weekly flights between Stockholm and Bangkok. Later in December, it launched a weekly service from Stockholm to Phuket and from Oslo to Phuket.