Skift Take
The era of transatlantic low-cost carriers it entering a new phase.
What to Know Now
After a two year review, Norwegian Air, the low-cost carrier expanding aggressively on international routes, finally won approval to expand further into the U.S. from a base in Ireland.
On the surface, the legacy airlines took issue with an alleged unfair tax and labor advantage that Norwegian would get by operating out of Ireland. But in reality, it's competition that U.S. airlines fear. Norwegian offers transoceanic flights at rock-bottom prices (and a litany of fees, mind you) and the legacies don't want to lower their prices in competition.
As of this ruling, however, it looks like the battle is on. While most business travelers won't give Norwegian Air a second look, the competition that it provides will drag down costs on competing carriers, and challenge what's long been one of the most profitable routes.
Social Quote of the Day
The penalty for feeling smug about having @TSA PreCheck is getting to the airport late and finding out the PreCheck lanes are closed.
- @hannahbsampson | Hannah Sampson, Associate editor at Skift
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