Norwegian now more popular than BA on New York route

Norwegian has overtaken British Airways as the biggest non-US airline on the London to New York route.

The low-cost airline carried 1.67 million passengers on flights to and from airports in the New York area in the 12 months to the end of July, topping BA’s 1.63 million.

However, US airline United remains the largest airline on the route, according to data from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Norwegian has been expanding in the transatlantic market for the past five years, leading to BA’s failed attempt to take over the carrier earlier this year.

BA and Virgin Atlantic have also tried to compete with Norwegian’s lower fares by offering cut-price hand luggage-only tickets, and BA’s parent IAG has launched its own budget transatlantic carrier Level.

British Airways has also recently investment almost £50 million on improved lounges, seating and shops at New York’s JFK airport.