Norwegian Air will enlarge its Premium cabin and add WiFi on
some of its transatlantic network this year as it takes delivery of new Boeing
787-900 Dreamliners.
The discount carrier, which is scheduled to serve 15 U.S.
cities next summer, will add 11 Dreamliners to its long-haul fleet this year.
It will also take delivery of 12 narrowbody Boeing 737 Max aircraft to serve
the U.S. East Coast from Belfast, Northern Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland; and
Shannon, Ireland.
Ten of the new Dreamliners will have a 56-seat Premium
cabin, which is 21 more Premium seats than Norwegian offers on its existing
787-900 fleet. To make room for the larger Premium cabin, the new planes will
have 282 coach seats, 27 fewer than the existing configuration. Norwegian will
also reduce the space between rows in the Premium cabin from 46 inches to 43
inches. Delta and American also offer a premium economy cabin, with a 38-inch space
between rows.
The new 787s will have the same economy cabin space of 31
inches between rows.
Norwegian plans to begin rolling out WiFi on Dreamliners during
2018. The company has yet to put a date on WiFi introduction and has not
revealed the routes on which it will offer the larger premium cabin.
"Once we know more information we will share more
broadly," said Norwegian Air spokeswoman Real Jackie Hamilton-Romeo said.
At 19 inches, Norwegian's Premium seat is about two inches
wider than its coach seat. Premium customers also get lounge access where available,
access to a fast security lane where available, two checked bags, a seat
assignment, pre-departure drinks, a three-course dinner with drinks, breakfast
and a USB charger and power outlet.