[Review] Norwegian Air Shuttle OSL - DUS Economy class flight review (DY 1150)
Published 08.02.25 by

Flying budget airlines can be a gamble - sometimes you get exactly what you pay for, and other times, you walk away pleasantly surprised. My recent trip with Norwegian on flight DY1150 from Oslo to Düsseldorf was a mix of both. From a last-minute seat upgrade to an unexpected go-around during landing, this flight had more than a few surprises in store. Curious about how an ex Air Berlin Boeing 737-800 handled the journey? Wondering if Norwegian’s no-frills experience is worth the price? Strap in as I take you through the highs and lows of this short but beautiful hop across Europe.

Booking and Check-in Process

I booked my flight via Find a Flight, and the process was quick and seamless. The user-friendly interface allowed me to select my flight effortlessly, and I received confirmation and my airline booking ID within minutes. One of the major advantages of using Find a Flight was the ability to compare different airlines and pricing options instantly, which resulted in my itinerary featuring two airlines - Eurowings and Norwegian - as they fit my needs both in departure/arrival time and price perfectly.

After booking, I realized I needed to add checked baggage. This was also efficiently handled via the booking agent's chat service, which was responsive and helpful. Norwegian’s app-based check-in process 24 hours before takeoff was also smooth, and I was able to obtain my boarding pass digitally without any issues.

One downside of flying with Norwegian, or any budget airline for that matter, is that the airline assigns seats randomly unless you pay extra for seat selection. As a result, I was initially assigned a middle seat towards the back of the plane. However, thanks to a last-minute weight balancing request, I was able to move forward to a much more comfortable seat.

At the airport, the baggage drop-off process was highly efficient, taking less than five minutes at an automated machine. Security screening was also relatively smooth, with a wait time of around 10 minutes. It's worth sending someone from your party to check out the other security gates, as we actually ended up switching while in queue to one that had basically no queue. After passing security, I had to walk for another 10 minutes to reach my gate, which was located at the far end of the terminal.

Access to Oslo Airport is generally convenient, especially via train, which is both affordable and comfortable and therefore highly recommended. However, on the day of my flight, there were significant disruptions due to staff shortages, resulting in overcrowded trains with no available seating. This was an unfortunate but temporary inconvenience, as the train quickly reaches its destination.

Boarding Process

Boarding was well-organized and relatively quick, with passengers called in groups based on their assigned seating. After all passengers were seated, 11 individuals were asked to move to the front for weight balancing. This request was unexpected, but it was handled efficiently by the crew, as they went from the back to the front asking passengers to join their walk towards the front. I took advantage of the opportunity and was assigned to seat 11F, an extended legroom seat, significantly improving my comfort for the duration of the flight and giving me an empty row.

The boarding announcements were clear, and the staff ensured that the process went smoothly. Despite the relatively full flight, passengers boarded in an orderly manner, and we were able to push back from the gate on time.

Seat Comfort and Amenities

As expected with a budget airline, the standard seats on Norwegian’s Boeing 737-800 were relatively tight. If I had remained in my originally assigned seat towards the back of the aircraft, I would have struggled to sit comfortably, given my height of 196cm. Even in my seat towards the front of the plane, space was still somewhat limited, but it was a significant improvement thanks to me being able to stretch out across the entire row. The picture shows my seat in front, which was still a standard seat.

The seat had a basic tray table, safety instructions, an onboard magazine, and a small net for personal items. The seat had a slight recline, which I used, of course without going too far back, as to not disturb the passenger behind me. For taller passengers, I highly recommend booking an extended legroom seat or, if budget permits, reserving an extra seat for additional space.

One thing to note is that Norwegian does not provide in-flight entertainment or USB charging ports, so it’s best to bring your own entertainment and ensure your devices are fully charged before boarding. Personally, I like to bring a powerbank, as flights always seem especially draining on battery.

Food and Beverage Service

As a no-frills airline, Norwegian does not offer complimentary snacks or drinks. However, there was a selection of snacks, beverages, and duty-free items available for purchase. The menu included soft drinks, coffee, tea, sandwiches, and a variety of snacks. Prices were relatively modest (though still pricey), less than I expected on a budget airline, and the selection was decent.

Since this was a short-haul flight of under two hours, I chose not to purchase anything. However, for longer flights, it may be worthwhile to bring your own food and drinks to avoid the high onboard prices.

I did bring a bottle of Coca Cola, which would have been cheaper to buy on board than in the airport. Oh well…

In-flight Experience

The overall flight experience was quite enjoyable. Thanks to my comfortable seating position, I was able to relax and take in the view. Shortly after departure, we were treated to a stunning sunset while flying over Denmark, which added a nice touch to the journey.

As we approached Düsseldorf, the cabin crew prepared the aircraft for landing. However, just before touchdown, we had to execute a go-around because the previously landed aircraft had not cleared the runway in time. While this is a standard safety procedure which was gracefully executed with no strong G-Load (comparable to a take-off on a long runway), it was an unexpected event that gave passengers an extended aerial view of Düsseldorf and the surrounding areas towards the north, circling around the city of Duisburg.

The pilot quickly explained the reason for the go-around over the PA system. This was a great example of professional communication, which must have been particularly comforting for nervous flyers.

Arrival and Disembarkation

After a successful second landing attempt, we taxied to the gate without further delays. The aircraft parked at a regular gate with a jet bridge, allowing for a quick and efficient disembarkation process. The passengers exited the aircraft in an orderly manner (surprisingly, nobody was already taking their bags out of the overhead bins while still taxiing, which is quite common for some reason…), and I was able to reach the baggage collection area quickly.

To my surprise, baggage claim was extremely fast. By the time I reached the carousel, the luggage was already arriving. My checked bag was among the first to appear, making for a smooth and efficient end to my journey.

Düsseldorf Airport offers excellent ground transportation options, including a direct S-Bahn connection. This made my onward journey easy and convenient.

Conclusion

Overall, my experience on Norwegian flight DY1150 was positive. Despite some minor, although expected inconveniences, such as the initial seating assignment and the lack of complimentary refreshments, the flight offered excellent value for money. The fare was incredibly affordable (€35 plus €20 for baggage), and the crew was professional and friendly.

For taller passengers, I strongly recommend booking an extended legroom seat to ensure a more comfortable experience. The go-around added an unexpected yet interesting twist to the flight, making it a more memorable journey.

Given the efficiency of the airline, the smooth booking process through Find a Flight, and the overall comfort, I would not hesitate to fly with Norwegian again in the future, even though I'd go for an extended legroom seat.