HiFly is a charter airline that has a fleet of Airbus aircraft. HiFly’s planes have been leased out airlines that have been struggling due to the Rolls Royce 787 fan blade issue. Most recently the airline made headlines for taking over two of Singapore Airlines A380’s. The planes are still configured with the Singapore Airlines interior with 12 first class suites, 60 lie flat business class seats, and 399 economy class seats.
Yesterday Norwegian announced that they would be leasing one of HiFly’s A380’s which is set to fly from London (LGW) to New York (JFK). The plane is most likely set to operate the following schedule from August 3 to August 23
DI7015 London Gatwick to New York JFK departing 5:05PM arriving 8:05PM
DI7016 New York JFK to London Gatwick departing 11:00PM arriving 11:00AM (+1 day)
When Norwegian announced the lease of the A380 it wasn’t possible to book a flight on board this plane. All the inventory showed as sold out. It is now possible to book a seat on one of their A380 flights. You can now book a seat aboard one of the best business class products for only $614.90 in first/business class or an economy ticket from as low as $239.90
With the A380 taking over there is a HUGE upgrade in on-board product for premium cabin passengers and economy class passengers. All the premium cabin passengers will now get a lie flat seat vs the standard premium seat aboard the Norwegian 787. Unfortunately passengers will not be able to choose their seat. Norwegian has said that premium passengers will be randomly assigned a premium seat (either one of the 12 suites or a lie-flat business class seats). A Norwegian spokesperson also said that Premium passengers will not be able to buy up to suites. While first class suites aren’t guaranteed you have a 16.67% chance of getting seated in the first class cabin and a 100% chance of a lie flat seat.
In economy, passengers will see their seat pitch go from 31″ to 32″ and the seat width will increase from 17.2″ to 19″.
Will you book a flight on board the Norwegian Hi Fly A380?
Update: A facebook user is able to select First Class Suite 2F from a Amadeus GDS booking.
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I am going with the Flight tonight/morning. Hope there is no delay. I have been stuck I a hotel since Tuesday, due to cancelled flight: jfk – cph. Due to weather conditions. I doubt thoug because the ground personal said it was in gate, doing some maintenance. Rather think it has something to do with the engine problems Norwegian have on the 787.
If anyone can cast light on this I would appreciate.
I keep you posted about the flight. Going on business class. Don’t think either to get more than premium service as paid for
BR.
Jacob
You will get the service that you paid for if travelling with American Airlines. The great deal at this price. Will recommend to everyone. Great service.
I already booked myself for the 9th, returning the 12th. Seat selection was not available on Norwegian’s site. Cost was $1775 U.S. round trip for a Premium Flex so I can cancel the ticket if I change my mind.
I’m going to be following closely to see what it ends up looking like. I’m excited at the opportunity. I’m not expecting champagne service, but the space and privacy are amazing. From what I understand IFE is available and I imagine some sort of bedding is provided by HiFly. Maybe not a plush duvet, but compared to being cramped in coach across the pond, its amazing.
Totally misleading like a Yahoo news article. You won’t get plushe bedding nor top notch service….just the skeleton…I bet there very limited entertainment too.
Therefore, flying in this suite is nothing more than laying on a bed at a discount furniture store.
You get what you’ve paid for by choosing to fly with LCC. No one would expect five star cuisine or entertainment of course. I’d still consider a great value to bag a fully flat seat or suite across the Atlantic for just over $600! The Suite pictures are sourced from HiFly, the operator.
What a dream.
You should really change the title. It is misleading click-bait. The only reason why I clicked on it was because I thought you knew some way to lock in a first class seat for the $614.90 quoted. Yes, in the text of your post you do clarify that you only have a chance of flying in an A380 first class suite, but that doesn’t change the fact that your title is misleading (in fact, chances are much greater that you will be in a lie-flat business class seat – no complaints but still…). Your title will certainly increase your traffic but your credibility on the other hand…perhaps that was your intent.
we will amend the title to “a chance to fly the suite”
Sam… you may want to make sure readers know they suite won’t look like the picture. There will be minimal bedding and I doubt the crew will make it into a double bed. Also the post makes it sound like you can book a suite for $614 but you really can’t since it’s luck of the draw
The photos shown are from Farnborough. These planes will be wet leased from HiFly and HiFlys crew will be operating the flights. We do not know what they will end up offering in the bedding department until they start flying. It is fair to say that what they are advertising is what will be available.
We have updated the post to reflect that you will only have a 16% chance at a Suite.