Air France Norway was a short-lived joint venture between Air France and Norwegian Air Shuttle, operating budget transatlantic flights between Europe and the U.S.. The airline ceased operations after Air France acquired Norwegian's long-haul fleet.
The partnership combined Air France's expertise in long-haul operations with Norwegian's low-cost model. Flights operated from Paris Charles de Gaulle to New York-JFK, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale using Norwegian's Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Air France provided crew, maintenance, and ground handling while Norwegian handled sales and marketing.
| Route | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Paris (CDG) - New York (JFK) | Daily | Boeing 787-9 |
| Paris (CDG) - Los Angeles (LAX) | Twice weekly | Boeing 787-9 |
| Paris (CDG) - Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Seasonal | Boeing 787-9 |
Air France Norway faced several challenges. The partnership struggled with integration issues, including differing labor agreements and regulatory hurdles., Norwegian's financial troubles led to the sale of its long-haul fleet to Air France. The venture was discontinued in 2019 as part of Air France's acquisition of Norwegian's long-haul operations.
One overlooked factor was the timing. The venture launched just as the transatlantic market became increasingly competitive, with other airlines expanding their low-cost offerings. According to Air Transport World, the partnership lacked a clear differentiation strategy in this crowded market.
I witnessed this firsthand when traveling York. Many passengers arrived at the gate with oversized bags, leading to last-minute adjustments. The airline enforced the rules strictly, boarding only those who complied with the weight limits.
Air France integrated the remaining Boeing 787s into its own fleet, continuing some of the former Air France Norway routes under its own brand. The venture served as a case study in the challenges of airline partnerships, particularly when merging different business models and regulatory environments.