Earlier this month Norse Atlantic Airways commenced non-stop service from LAX to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport. While Norse is a low-cost carrier, it does have Premium seating in the front of the aircraft that is quite comfortable. Norse also provides non-stop service from LAX to London’s Gatwick airport and Oslo’s Gardermoen airport.
Non-stop flights to Paris are on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and take place four times a week departing LAX at 9:10pm and arriving in the City of Lights at 5pm. The return flight departs Paris at 4:15 pm giving passengers a full day to enjoy the city and arrives to LAX at 7:05pm.
As a travel journalist who routinely flies in excess of 100,000 miles a year and regularly to Paris, I was thrilled to learn of this new itinerary. So in early May I flew the Paris to LAX flight. Norse Airways flights leaves out of Charles de Gaulle Terminal Three. Though Terminal Three has fewer retail and dining options than Terminals One and Two, it’s fairly easy to get between all three terminals. Flying out of Terminal Three however requires taking a bus from waiting area to the aircraft’s exterior. Being springtime in Paris, naturally it stated to rain. However, as the Premium section of the aircraft was only half full, I was able to sprint up the exterior stairs with my carry-on bags to avoid getting completely soaked.
The Dreamliner’s seat configuration in the Premium cabin is 2-3-2. I was seated in row one on the left bulkhead aisle seat and happily for me, no one sat in the window seat.
Our departure was delayed an hour as catering had mysteriously loaded our flight’s food on the wrong aircraft. However, as the captain made up the time en route in the friendly skies, we arrived to LAX only a few minutes after our originally scheduled arrival time.
Water and juice were served prior to take-off. Disposable headphones, earplugs, and eyeshades were passed out in the Premium cabin for passengers who wanted them. There was a good selection of spirits onboard and very good wines from which to select to accompany the meal service. At dinner, two meal options were available, a vegetarian gnocchi pesto entree and a chicken and potatoes dish. I had the chicken which was served with a warm baguette and French butter. Dessert consisted of Camembert and blue cheeses as well as two pieces of chocolate.
Travelers in the Premium cabin on Norse Atlantic should note that while the seats are comfortable, they are not fully lie-flat seats, but have a 43-inch pitch and 12-inch recline. Despite not being fully lie-flat seats, I managed to sleep for several hours mid-flight.
A light snack and beverage service was served about an hour before arrival at LAX. Service throughout the flight by a multi-lingual crew was very efficient and extremely professional and friendly. On their flight crew, Norse Atlantic gets an A++.
Unfortunately for me, neither the USB port at my seat nor the seat immediately next to me were operational though the kindly flight attendant rebooted the system twice in an attempt to correct that for me. Fortunately, there was an electrical outlet just below my seat, and even more fortunate, I had an adaptor plug in my computer bag as I had intended to complete some pressing work items. The only other unfortunate aspect of the flight was that for some inexplicable reason, the toilets onboard had neither Kleenex nor toilet seat covers. For a long-haul flight across the pond not to stock both, but especially not stocking the latter, is truly hard to explain. I truly hope this changes. (I flew Norse Atlantic from LAX to Oslo last June on its non-stop flight and do not recall those absences.)
Obviously, there are a number of carriers to choose from when flying non-stop from LAX to Paris. That said, the bottom line is that if one wishes to travel non-stop to the City of Lights or vice-versa but without spending thousands of dollars for full business class or first class, then flying Norse Atlantic in the Premium cabin is a solidly viable option. This may be especially true for those passengers flying with children who want to be seated together in the front of the aircraft while not purchasing business class tickets for children. Premium seating on Norse Atlantic LAX to Paris is currently $773 to $973 each way. Happy travels!
Julie L. Kessler is a journalist, attorney, and the author of the award-winning memoir: “Fifty-Fifty, The Clarity of Hindsight.” Her work has appeared in several major publications around the world, including The LA Times, The SF Examiner, The Asia Times, The Jerusalem Post, and The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, among many others. She can be reached at Julie@VagabondLawyer.com
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