Your Norwegian flight is delayed. You see the flight status online.
And now you may be wondering what to do next. Should you still go to the airport as originally planned, or wait at home or your hotel? The length of the delay can vary greatly, from just 30 minutes to as long as 23 hours. If it is the latter, could you end up waiting at the airport for a full day? So, the question is, should you leave for the airport or not yet?
It depends…. But mostly the answer is very simple.
Should You Wait or Proceed as Planned?
Where are you right now? At your home? Or at the airport?
1. You Are at the Gate, Waiting for Flight
You’re already at the gate, waiting for your flight.
But you learn that your flight has been delayed.
What should you do? Wait there. Updates on your flight status soon will follow.
2. You Haven’t Gone Through Airport Security
If you’re waiting to pass through airport security and your flight is delayed, stay put. Before moving ahead, verify if there are any updates regarding the check-in time for your flight. If the check-in time for your flight is delayed, avoid going through security at the moment.
Wait until there are further updates before proceeding through security.
Have you already checked in online?
Even if you have, wait. Don’t proceed until check-in begins.
3. You Are at Home or Hotel
What if you learn of your flight delay while still at home?
Check if the check-in time has been postponed or not.
You can do this by either contacting Norwegian or checking with the airport information desk. This is crucial because if the check-in time is delayed as well, there’s no need to hurry to the airport right away. However, if the check-in time remains unchanged, it’s best to stick to your schedule and proceed to the airport as planned, especially if you need to complete airport check-in and have checked baggage.
If check-in is delayed, stay at home or your hotel.
If check-in is not delayed, go to the airport as per your original plan.
How to Check Norwegian Flight Status Online?
Wondering how to check your Norwegian flight status online?
Here are some ways:
- Visit the website of the airport from where your flight is departing;
- Access your airline’s website (in this case, norwegian.com);
- Use flight trackers such as Flightradar24.
It is highly advisable to check your flight status before going to the airport, particularly if you have an early morning flight. Trust us, you don’t want to arrive at the airport at 5 am and end up waiting for several hours due to flight delays or flight cancellations. It’s better to have some sleep at home.
Additionally, it is important to check again just before leaving your home or hotel to ensure that there are no unexpected changes.
Travellers typically become aware of a flight delay through various means:
- Receiving an SMS or email notification of the delay;
- Checking the flight status online;
- Learning about it upon arrival at the airport or even at the gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss Connecting Flight?
In the case of a Norwegian connecting flight, there’s no need to worry about missing your connection as you are protected.
Norwegian will provide a new flight free of charge if you miss your connecting flight, and you don’t have to search for a new flight on your own. Simply seek assistance from Norwegian staff at the airport if you miss your connecting flight.
However, if you have a self-transfer flight, it’s your responsibility to catch the connecting flight. If you miss it, you will have to purchase a new flight yourself. But, you might be eligible for Norwegian flight delay compensation or Norwegian flight cancellation compensation (if the flight is cancelled at the end).
Right to Care at the Airport
As a passenger waiting at the airport due to a flight delay or cancellation, you are entitled to certain care benefits (i.e., right to care from Norwegian).
According to regulations, if the delay lasts for at least 3 hours during the daytime, Norwegian is required to provide you with complimentary food and beverages, as well as two means of communication (such as phone calls, emails, or faxes), typically provided through vouchers.
If the delay extends until the next day, Norwegian must also offer you free hotel accommodation, transportation to and from the airport, and one or two free meals.
If you have not yet received any of these benefits, make sure to contact Norwegian for assistance.
Could You Be Entitled to Norwegian Flight Delay Compensation?
Absolutely, you might be eligible for Norwegian flight delay compensation.
If your flight is delayed by more than three hours, or if it has been cancelled without a notice period of at least 14 days, you may qualify for a compensation of up to 600 euros under EU law, provided the delay or cancellation was not due to extraordinary circumstances. This right applies regardless of the ticket price and the nationality.
In this case, it’s important to retain your boarding pass and other travel documents, as you may need them when filing for compensation. If you need assistance with the process, there are services available that can support you in claiming your compensation from Norwegian – our partners provide such services (you can use our compensation claim form to make a claim).
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a Norwegian Strike?
If your Norwegian flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, there are two potential scenarios – either the strike is initiated by Norwegian staff or it’s triggered by some other party.
Typically, if the strike is instigated by airport personnel, air traffic control, or it’s a labor strike that does not directly implicate Norwegian, you will not be eligible for compensation. These are considered extraordinary circumstances, and airlines are not usually held responsible.
However, if the strike involves Norwegian’s own employees, it’s likely that the airline will be obligated to compensate passengers. Always scrutinize the specific circumstances surrounding your delay or cancellation, and do verify what you are told by the airline.
Read more: Norwegian Strike Compensation
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Norwegian flight is delayed due to technical difficulties with the airplane, you could be eligible for flight delay compensation.
Most of the time, these issues are not classified as extraordinary circumstances.
However, there might be exceptions in certain instances, such as if the technical difficulties were the result of concealed manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Norwegian flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Norwegian? How did the airline resolve the situation?
Featured photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels