SEATTLE – The Port of Seattle welcomes the announcement that low-cost carrier Norwegian will begin service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to London’s Gatwick International Airport starting in September 2017. Norwegian is the first new international airline to announce service at Sea-Tac Airport this year.
Norwegian is a big player in the Pacific Northwest, having become the lead customer for Boeing’s 737-MAX along with ordering 32 787 Dreamliners. Norwegian plans on using the 787-9 on the Seattle to London route, which will be configured to have 35 premium and 309 economy cabin seats. Norwegian has garnered numerous awards including being named 2016’s “World’s Best Low-Cost Long Haul Airline” by Skytrax.
“Norwegian’s choice to serve Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a testament to our region’s economic growth,” said Sea-Tac Airport operations director Michael Ehl. “Sea-Tac’s total passenger volume has grown 40 percent in just five years, and Norwegian’s Boeing 787-9 service will provide more options to travelers, as well as promote tourism and trade in the region.”
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Norwegian has a fleet of 120 aircraft, with an average age of 3.6 years, making it one of the world’s youngest fleets. Norwegian plans on using the 787-9 on the Seattle to London route.
“London is an integral part of our ever-growing global route network, perfect for both business and leisure travelers,” said Thomas Ramdahl, Norwegian’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We are excited to offer more West Coast routes for Americans who are looking for inexpensive access to London, with connections to several destinations across Europe. Norwegian now offers 48 transatlantic flights from 13 U.S. cities and we are fully committed to offer Americans the most affordable non-stop fares to Europe, combined with our award-winning service. With our continuous U.S. expansion, we also bring even more tourists to the U.S. and support American jobs.”
Massive international growth at Sea-Tac
- International passenger traffic up 11 percent in 2017 (compared w/2016)
- Five new international airlines in past 12 months (Volaris, Xiamen, Eurowings, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian)
- 16th new international service in past 10 years
- An international long-haul service generates $89 million in economic activities in our region annually
The Port of Seattle is poised to welcome more international travelers with a new International Arrivals Facility. Construction is set to start later this year and the facility is scheduled to open in late 2019. The facility will double passenger capacity, reduce connection times and increase gates capable of serving international wide body airplanes from 12 to 20.
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 9th busiest U.S. airport, serving nearly 45.7 million passengers and more than 366,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2016. With a regional economic impact of more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates 171,796 jobs (109,924 direct jobs) representing over $2.8 billion in direct earnings and more than $565 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-four airlines serve 83 non-stop domestic and 24 international destinations.
About Norwegian
Norwegian is the world’s sixth largest low-cost airline and carried 30 million passengers in 2016. The airline operates 450 routes to 150 destinations in Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Thailand, Caribbean and the U.S. Norwegian has a fleet of 120 aircraft, with an average age of 3.6 years, making it one of the world’s youngest fleets. Norwegian was named the Most Fuel-Efficient Airline on Transatlantic Routes by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Norwegian was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline by the renowned SkyTrax World Airline Awards in 2015 and 2016, and for the fourth consecutive year, named Europe’s Best Low-Cost Airline. Norwegian employs 6,000 people. The airline offers 50 nonstop routes from the U.S. to London, Paris, Scandinavia and the Caribbean.
