Norse Atlantic Airways is a relatively new low-cost airline operating long-haul flights between Europe and North America. Known for its budget-friendly fares, Norse follows a no-frills model similar to Ryanair or Wizz Air. This means many services, including airport check-in, come with extra fees.
One of the more controversial aspects of flying Norse is that they charge for airport check-in, unless you're flying in a premium fare class. The airline does not offer online or mobile check-in options for most routes, which forces all economy passengers to go to the airport counter or kiosk. If you haven’t pre-paid for check-in in advance, you could face a $20 airport check-in fee per person, or even higher depending on your departure airport. Priority check-in can cost $40 or more if you choose it at the airport.
This policy feels out of step with many travelers’ expectations, especially those used to free online check-in with legacy carriers. Norse argues that this helps them keep base fares low, but it can be an unpleasant surprise if you're not aware of it before arriving at the airport. Worse still, many passengers have reported long wait times at Norse check-in counters, particularly in North American airports like JFK and Fort Lauderdale. With limited staff and check-in counters opening only a few hours before departure, lines can be long and disorganized.
If you do pay for priority check-in, the experience is generally smoother, with shorter lines and quicker processing. However, it feels more like an upsell than a genuine premium service. And since the airline doesn’t allow online check-in for economy passengers, it’s difficult to avoid these fees altogether unless you’re flying Premium or Premium Light, which include some added services like free baggage and check-in.
That said, Norse does a decent job once you’re through the airport. Most reviewers report that the in-flight experience is comfortable enough for the price, with newer Boeing 787 aircraft and relatively clean cabins. But the check-in experience often leaves a poor first impression, especially for travelers caught off guard by the extra fees or long queues.
To avoid issues, passengers should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours early, read Norse’s baggage rules carefully, and pre-purchase check-in and baggage online if possible. You’ll also want to weigh your bag in advance—Norse strictly enforces weight limits and is known for charging steep fees for oversized or overweight luggage at the gate.