Airline Norwegian Air Shuttle
Norwegian Air Shuttle, also known as Norwegian, is a Norwegian low-cost airline.
Founded in 1993, it was the third largest low-cost airline in Europe behind EasyJet and Ryanair, and the second largest airline in Norway. After operating long-haul flights for a time, the airline now only offers European flights.
Norway is not in the European Union, but it is part of the Schengen Area, like Switzerland and Iceland. And like these countries, it is subject to European regulations.
If you are travelling with Norwegian Air Shuttle, your flight is therefore covered by these regulations.
Norwegian Air Shuttle and European regulations
In the European Community area, civil aviation is governed by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
As a partner state, Norway is included, and so is Norwegian Air Shuttle.
This regulation guarantees a number of rights for travellers. These rights come with obligations for airlines.
Three factors determine which rights apply on a flight:
- the country of departure
- the country of destination
- the country where the airline is based.
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 considers these three criteria to define which flights it applies to within the European Community area.
Flights covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
The European regulation also specifies which flights it applies to. It covers:
- any flight departing from the European Community area (including Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland)
- flights to the same community area, operated by airlines based there.
Norwegian Air Shuttle is therefore subject to this regulation.
Its traffic is mainly European. Norwegian only serves seven non-European airports:
- London-Gatwick and Manchester, in the United Kingdom
- Belgrade, in Serbia
- Marrakech, in Morocco
- Pristina, in Kosovo
- Tel Aviv, in Israel
- Tirana, in Albania.
If you take a flight with Norwegian from one of these airports, you are still covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
There is one case where you would not be: a connecting flight from one non-European airport to another. This would mean stopping over in Norway. Given the location of the non-European airports, this scenario is highly unlikely.
What are your rights on a flight with Norwegian Air Shuttle?
If you fly with Norwegian Air Shuttle, or any other European airline, you have rights.
The most obvious is the right to be transported to your destination. If your documents are in order and you are on time for boarding, you meet the conditions to travel. In this case, Norwegian is obliged to transport you to your destination.
If it fails to meet this obligation, in the event of a flight cancellation or overbooking, for example, it must offer you an alternative flight.
In the event of a significant delay, you may need to have a meal at the airport, or even stay overnight.
If no alternative flight suits you, you can request a refund. This equates to forfeiting your flight. You also forfeit any assistance and compensation.
The compensation system
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 provides for a compensation based on a fixed scale. This is intended to compensate you in the event of a flight disruption. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, if you fly with Norwegian Air Shuttle, you are covered.
However, this compensation is not automatic: you must apply for it. Moreover, if you do not meet all the conditions, the airline reserves the right to refuse it.
In case of delay
Delays are not uncommon when travelling by air. However, significant delays are less frequent. If you experience one, you are eligible for a fixed compensation. The amount and eligibility criteria depend on the distance travelled by your flight. It amounts to:
- €250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €400 for a non-European flight of 1500 to 3500 km or a European flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
- €600 for a non-European flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more.
In case of cancellation
Cancellation is slightly different. Your flight is not delayed: it has been cancelled, plain and simple. Norwegian Air Shuttle must therefore redirect you to an alternative flight.
Generally, this will cause you a delay, to varying degrees. You are eligible for compensation, regardless of the length of the delay. However, if the delay does not exceed a certain time, your compensation will be reduced.
Thus, it is reduced from:
- €250 to €125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of less than 2 hours
- €400 to €200 for a non-European flight of 1500 to 3500 km or a European flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of less than 3 hours
- €600 to €300 for a non-European flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of less than 4 hours.
In case of overbooking
Overbooking involves selling more tickets than there are seats on the aircraft. This practice is strictly regulated. The aim is to fully book a flight by accounting for passengers who do not show up for boarding.
But if everyone shows up, not everyone will be able to board. If this happens to you, Norwegian Air Shuttle must offer you an alternative flight and compensate you according to the same scale as for flight cancellation.
Exceptions
In certain cases, Norwegian Air Shuttle will not be required to compensate you:
- if they informed you at least 15 days in advance of the disruption
- if they offer you an alternative flight at the same times
- in cases of extraordinary circumstances (strike, security risk, adverse weather conditions…).
The strike only applies to third-party staff (baggage handlers, air traffic controllers). If it is a strike within Norwegian Air Shuttle, the airline remains fully responsible and must compensate you.
Want to claim compensation from Norwegian Air Shuttle? Delayed can help you with your claim
If you have experienced a delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking with Norwegian Air Shuttle, you may be entitled to compensation.
Want to make a claim? Delayed can assist you with the process.
Check if you are eligible and claim up to €600 on your flight ticket.