Norwegian flight crew prepare to depart for the United States

Norwegian will soon open its first crew base in New York as it seeks to launch low-cost services to the United States from Europe.

The next base in Fort Lauderdale will be opened during the first quarter of 2014.

Norwegian is the first European carrier to establish crew bases in the Unites States and to offer several hundred jobs to American crew.

During 2014, 300 American crew members will be working for the company.

Norwegian started its long-haul operation in 2013 with routes between Thailand and the US and Europe.

In 2014, the route network will expand to include 14 routes between the US and Europe.

“Norwegian’s goal is to bring innovative service at a low fare to the US market with brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

“Our goal is that everyone should afford to fly.

“In our opinion, air fare between the US and Europe has been far too expensive.

“To maintain an effective operation, crew bases will be placed at the start or end of the route segment and we are happy to announce the establishment of our first crew bases in the US,” said Norwegian chief executive Bjørn Kjos.

“Around 170 cabin crew members have been recruited in New York and Fort Lauderdale, and we are hoping to see many American crew members on board our Dreamliners and the new 737MAX in the years to come.

“We also encourage American pilots to come work for us. To do so, they will need an EASA license,” Kjos added.

Norwegian’s business model is based on the Open Skies regime, global competition and the fact that Norwegian flies its customers point to point in all markets, either within Europe or on long-haul routes between continents.

Traditional airlines grow outside their home markets by entering into joint ventures, co-operation or alliances – and let their locally based alliance partners fly their customers.