Norwegian delay compensation: how much and how to claim

Norway isn't in the EU, so passengers often assume Norwegian isn't covered by the EU compensation rules. It is. Norway is part of the European Economic Area, and the passenger rules apply there in the same way as in EU countries. Here's what that means for a Norwegian claim.

Can I claim compensation from Norwegian?

You can claim if:

• your flight left a UK, EU or Norwegian airport (Gatwick to Oslo, Oslo to Alicante, Copenhagen to Malaga and so on), or it arrived in Norway or the EU on a flight Norwegian operated;
• you arrived at your final destination three hours or more late, or the flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you were denied boarding;
• the cause was within the airline's control.

Delays are measured at arrival, when the aircraft door opens at the gate.

Why do EU rules apply to a Norwegian airline?

Norway signed up to the EU's single market rules through the European Economic Area agreement, and the passenger compensation regulation is one of them. So for these purposes, a flight from Oslo is treated like a flight from an EU airport, and Norwegian is treated like an EU airline.

• Flights from the UK (Gatwick to Oslo) are covered by UK261, with amounts in pounds.
• Flights from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland or anywhere else in the EU or EEA are covered by EC261, with amounts in euros.

See UK261 vs EC261 for how the two compare.

How much does Norwegian have to pay?

The amount depends on distance, not on the fare.

Some Norwegian examples, measured airport to airport:

• Gatwick to Oslo, about 1,225 km: £220.
• Oslo to Gatwick, the same distance: €250, because the flight left Norway.
• Gatwick to Copenhagen, about 985 km: £220.
• Copenhagen to Malaga, about 2,470 km: €400.
• Oslo to Alicante, about 2,570 km: €400.

Every passenger on the booking gets the full amount, including children with their own seat. Two adults and two children delayed four hours from Oslo to Alicante would be owed 4 × €400 = €1,600.

What about connections in Oslo, Stockholm or Copenhagen?

Norwegian sells journeys that change planes in its Scandinavian bases. If both flights were on one booking, the test is the delay at your final destination, not on each flight (Folkerts v Air France, 2013). The amount is based on the straight-line distance from your first airport to your last.

So a short delay from Gatwick that makes you miss a connection in Oslo, and land you in northern Norway four hours late, can be a valid claim.

If you booked the flights separately, each flight is judged on its own. See missed connecting flights.

Which Norwegian company do I claim from?

Norwegian has operated through more than one company over the years, including separate airlines registered in different countries. The one that operated your flight is the one that owes you. You don't need to work this out: we identify the operating company from the flight before the claim goes out.

What if my flight was a few years ago?

Norwegian went through formal restructuring in 2020 and 2021, when it also stopped flying long-haul. Claims for flights from that period may have been affected by the restructuring. If your flight was around then, send it to us and we'll check where it stands rather than guess.

How do I claim from Norwegian?

You can claim yourself, for free. Or we send the claim for you from day one, with your booking details and a signed authority to act, and handle every reply.

We'll need:

• the booking reference and names of everyone on it;
• a boarding pass or booking confirmation;
• photo ID, so the airline can match you to the booking.

How long does Norwegian take to reply?

We allow Norwegian 28 days to respond. If there's no answer, we chase. If it refuses and we think it's wrong, we reply in writing with the law and the evidence and set a deadline. See how long flight compensation takes.

What does Norwegian say when it refuses?

"Weather." Snow, ice and fog in Scandinavia are real. But airlines based there are expected to be ready for normal winter conditions. Weather is extraordinary only if it genuinely stopped your flight, and the airline still has to show it took reasonable measures. We check the airport weather reports for the times of your flight.

"Technical problem." Not usually extraordinary. The EU Court of Justice held in Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia (2008) that problems arising in the normal running of an airline don't count. See technical fault delays.

"Strike." A strike by Norwegian's own pilots or cabin crew is not extraordinary under EU law (Airhelp v SAS, 2023). An air traffic control strike usually is. See airline strike compensation.

What if Norwegian still won't pay?

• For flights from Norway, disputed claims can go to the Transportklagenemnda, Norway's transport complaints board. Its decisions are not binding on the airline.
• For flights from EU countries, complaints go to the enforcement body of the departure country.
• For flights from the UK, we check which body can take the complaint before escalating.
• Court is the last step. In England and Wales, a claim of this size goes on the small claims track and can be started online.

How long do I have to claim?

For flights from the UK, six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five years in Scotland. For flights from Norway and EU countries, it depends on the country where the claim is brought. See claiming for an old delay.

You can see how we handle Norwegian claims on our Norwegian airline page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Norwegian covered by EU261 if Norway isn't in the EU?

Yes. Norway applies the passenger rules through the European Economic Area agreement, so flights from Norway and Norwegian's own flights are covered.

My Oslo to London flight was cancelled at short notice. What am I owed?

A refund or a new flight, plus compensation of €250 per passenger if the cancellation was within the airline's control and you were told less than 14 days before.

Can I claim for a Norwegian long-haul flight?

Norwegian stopped flying long-haul in 2021. Older flights may still be within time limits, but the airline's restructuring may affect them. We check each one.

Is the Transportklagenemnda's decision binding?

No. It can review the claim and give a decision, but the airline isn't bound by it. Court remains the final route.