Norse Atlantic Airways, the Norwegian low-cost airline, has announced plans to launch a new route connecting London Gatwick Airport with Cape Town International Airport on October 28th, 2024. This move by Norse Atlantic is set to break the longstanding duopoly held by Virgin Atlantic and British Airways on this lucrative route, offering travelers more choices and competitive fares.
The airline intends to operate flights three times a week, departing Cape Town on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Flights will depart London Gatwick at 20:00 local time, arriving in Cape Town at 09:30 the following morning. Departing flights from Cape Town will leave at 11:45 and arrive at London Gatwick at 21:35 the same day.
Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce our new route between London and Cape Town. By breaking the duopoly on this route, we are not only expanding travel options for consumers but also driving down costs and putting the customer back in the pilot’s seat.”
Norse Atlantic Airways exclusively operates Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and offers passengers two cabin choices: economy and Norse Premium. Travelers can also select from a range of fare options: Light, Classic, and Flextra.
The Light fares represent the airline’s value option, while Flextra fares offer the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services, and greater ticket flexibility. Economy fares start at £499 (approximately R11,800) return, while Norse Premium class fares begin at £1,199 (approximately R28,000) return.
In a bid to showcase its competitive pricing strategy, Norse Atlantic Airways compared its fares to those of Virgin Atlantic and British Airways for a similar route. For a journey departing from Cape Town on Sunday, November 3rd, and returning from London on Saturday, November 9th, Norse Atlantic’s lowest fare is listed at R13,814, significantly undercutting Virgin Atlantic’s lowest fare of R18,730 and British Airways’ lowest fare of R18,980.
Furthermore, Norse Atlantic’s highest fare for the same route stands at R39,343, demonstrating a considerable difference compared to the highest fares offered by Virgin Atlantic (R94,968) and British Airways (R108,018).
It is worth noting that flight prices are subject to change and may vary based on factors such as demand and booking time.
The introduction of Norse Atlantic’s low-cost London-Cape Town route is expected to shake up the market dynamics, providing travelers with more affordable options and challenging the dominance of established carriers. With its modern fleet, competitive pricing, and commitment to customer satisfaction, Norse Atlantic Airways aims to carve out a significant share of the market while revolutionizing transatlantic travel.
For travelers seeking budget-friendly yet comfortable journeys between London and Cape Town, Norse Atlantic Airways emerges as a promising alternative, offering a blend of affordability, quality service, and convenience. As the airline prepares to embark on this new venture, passengers can anticipate greater accessibility and affordability in transcontinental travel, ushering in a new era of choice and competition in the aviation industry.
