I spent $180 on a red-eye flight to Europe. I'd book the same budget airline again, but there's one thing I'd change.

BI's reporter took a Norse Atlantic Airways flight from NYC to Berlin and thought it was comfortable and clean despite not getting enough sleep.

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Dec 26, 2024 - 13:00
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I spent $180 on a red-eye flight to Europe. I'd book the same budget airline again, but there's one thing I'd change.
Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Airlines red eye flight from NYC to Berlin and arrived in Germany feeling exhausted.
Business Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Atlantic Airways red-eye flight from New York City to Berlin.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I took a red-eye flight from NYC to Berlin with Norse Atlantic Airways in October 2022.
  • For $180, I traveled through the night on a nonstop economy flight with a row of seats to myself.
  • Although I thought the flight itself was ideal for a red-eye, I started my trip feeling exhausted.

In October 2022, I took an eight-hour red-eye flight with Norse Atlantic Airways, an airline I'd never heard of.

Norse Atlantic Airways is a budget airline that started flying in 2022 with nonstop trips from the US to Germany, Norway, the UK, France, Greece, and Italy.

The flight from my home in NYC to Berlin kicked off a two-week train trip through Europe. I booked my travels with the lesser-known airline because it was the cheapest nonstop flight leaving from my local airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). 

I selected an economy-light ticket, the lowest tier available, for $88. The booking included a seat and storage space under the seat in front of me. I also spent $75 for advanced seat selection, and there was a $20 airport check-in fee. The trip cost a total of $183.

In the past, I've appreciated domestic red-eye flights because they give me an extra day at my destination.

But this was my first international red-eye flight, and the long-haul journey through the night left me exhausted at the beginning of my trip. To me, it wasn't worth the day I saved.

I arrived at JFK at 9:30 p.m. for my 12:30 a.m. flight.
The author checks in at JFK airport.
The author checks in at JFK airport.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I could have checked in online for free, but I wanted to print my boarding pass at the airport.

On a late Sunday evening, the terminal at JFK felt quite empty.
Inside the author's terminal at JFK.
Inside the author's terminal at JFK.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Aside from people in line to board an aircraft, I hardly saw anyone.

My flight began boarding at 11:30 p.m.
Travelers board the aircraft to Berlin in October 2022.
Travelers board the aircraft to Berlin in October 2022.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was among the last to board and got situated in my seat right around midnight.

The flight's seating arrangement was three columns with three seats in each row.
People board the Norse aircraft in October 2022.
People board the Norse aircraft in October 2022.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid extra to select a window seat before the flight so that I could lean against the window to rest.

A representative from Norse told Business Insider that economy-light seats are 17.2 inches wide with a 3-inch recline.
The author's seat on the Norse flight.
The author's seat on the Norse flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It felt like a standard plane seat to me.

I thought I had enough legroom, even with my backpack shoved underneath the seat.
The author's legs while seated on a plane.
The author's legroom on the flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The seat pitch was between 27 and 32 inches, according to the representative.

In front of me, there was an entertainment screen with movies, TV shows, and information about my flight.
The screens on the seat back chair.
The screens on the seat back chair.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Although I spent most of the time trying to sleep, I appreciated having the screen.

As the plane prepared for takeoff, I was thrilled that I had a whole row to myself.
The author's row of seats on the flight.
The author's row of seats on the flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In fact, I noticed many of the seats were empty.

My seat back pocket contained a menu of amenities, including earbuds, blankets, neck pillows, and sleep masks, although I didn't buy any.
In-flight menu items.
In-flight menu items.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Amenity prices ranged from $3.50 to $6.50.

After takeoff, the plane was quiet and dimly lit. But I hardly ever sleep well on planes, and this was no exception.
The flight at night.
The flight at night.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I woke several times through the night.

At one point in the night, I went to the bathroom and found it cleaner than most aircraft bathrooms I've been in.
The author uses the bathroom during the flight.
The bathroom on the Norse aircraft.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Unlike most economy aircraft bathrooms I've used, the floor wasn't sticky and the trash can wasn't overflowing. 

In the morning, flight attendants came around with food and beverage service. So I looked at the menu in my seat back pocket.
In-flight service and menu.
In-flight service and menu.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I found that food and beverages weren't included in the price of my ticket, so I decided to skip it.

I landed in Berlin nearly an hour earlier than scheduled, so I was only in the air for seven hours.
The author's aircraft arrives in Berlin.
The author's aircraft arrives in Berlin.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Still, when I got off the plane, I felt completely exhausted due to a lack of sleep.

Despite feeling tired, as I would after any red-eye flight, I was impressed by the budget airline and would definitely book with Norse again.
The author arrives in Berlin.
The author on the runway in Berlin.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The flight was comfortable and clean, and landing early was a nice bonus.

Once in Berlin, I still had a two-hour train journey to my Airbnb outside the city, and I could barely keep my eyes open.
The author takes trains from Berlin to TK.
The author takes trains from Berlin to her Airbnb.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Even after a night of sleep, I found that the exhaustion from the overnight flight — combined with jet lag — lasted for days. This wasn't ideal at the start of a two-week adventure.

My exhaustion wore off within a couple of days of my trip, but I had a lingering thought — next time I fly internationally, I won't mind spending a little more money and a little less time at my destination for a day flight.

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