Norwegian Air Shuttle has launched low-cost, long haul services on the ‘hub busting’ Dreamliner aircraft between London Gatwick and the USA.

Passengers can now enjoy the most competitive fares on transatlantic routes including Los Angeles, New York and Fort Lauderdale.

After Europe, the US is the UK’s biggest trading partner and accounts for 40 per cent of the London long haul market each year.

From this month, Norwegian’s new services will help drive competition on these popular routes.

However, they also offer proof of emerging aviation trends that will have a major bearing on the airports expansion debate.

Norwegian celebrates the first long-haul flights out of Gatwick

Today, the low cost market is the fastest growing airline sector – with forecasts showing this will continue as passengers make the most of competitive fares, great service and slick operations carriers such as Norwegian offer.

This has been made possible thanks to a new generation of exceptionally fuel efficient, long range aircraft.

Modern ‘hub busting’ aircraft such as the Dreamliner have fewer seats to fill, making direct long haul routes more economically viable for airlines.

They will further increase direct travel while reducing the need for connecting traffic across London – which is already the richest point-to-point market globally.

Additionally, the airlines’ own order books demonstrate the difference they expect new generation aircraft to make.

Across all airlines, orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and its competitor the Airbus A350 vastly outweigh other types of larger aircraft.

Norwegian chief executive Bjørn Kjos welcomes passengers to the first light

Today there are more than 1,800 of these new aircraft on order compared to around 222 A380s and 787s – a sure sign of the change.

Bjørn Kjos, chief executive, Norwegian Air Shuttle, said: “We are delighted to launch our US services from London Gatwick this week.

“A more competitive transatlantic market can only be good news for passengers, in the same way competition between airports in London leads to more choice and better service.”