Scheduled to commence Cape Town operations at the end of October, the airline aims to tap into the popular winter leisure market.
This is a strategic move in a season traditionally challenging for airlines, especially long-haul low-cost carriers, writes Simple Flying.
Norse Atlantic Airways AS is a Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline headquartered in Arendal, Norway.
Founded in February 2021, the airline operates a fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft between Europe, North America, Asia and now Africa.
What is the new route’s schedule?
The new route covers a distance of 9 607km, making it Norse’s longest service to date. Operating three times a week with Boeing 787-9 aircraft, this route represents a significant expansion for the airline.
It has positioned Cape Town as a key destination in its network.
The flight schedule for Gatwick-Cape Town is set for departure at 20:00 and arrival at 09:30 the following day, with a flight time of approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes.
The return leg, Cape Town-Gatwick, departs at 11:45 and lands at 21:35, lasting around 11 hours and 50 minutes.
This daytime service sets Norse apart for this route; a departure from the usual overnight flights. While daytime long-haul flights can reduce costs and optimise aircraft usage, it can also mean lower fares and yields.
The move also aligns Norse with Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic – the other carriers offering daytime services to Europe.
London-Cape Town has become a busy route, with an estimated 340 000 passengers flying the roundtrip last year.
Norse’s entry into this market makes it the third non-stop carrier from London to Cape Town, joining British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic.
And the fares? An airline price comparison
Regarding pricing, Norse’s introductory fares start at £492 (R11 700) for a roundtrip from London to Cape Town in mid-November*. This however excludes additional services like food and checked baggage. This is significantly cheaper than BA and Virgin Atlantic (where, excluding a bag, you will pay £862).
For travellers considering connecting flights for this route, options via Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Qatar Airways can offer less-expensive alternatives.
Qatar Airways’ lowest all-inclusive price is around £643 (R15 300) in November, which is around the same as Norse’s inclusive fare. This does however mean flying via the Middle East, adding significantly more journey time.
*pricing at time of publishing