Norwegian: small airline, rather large Freddie

Program of the Year — Airlines, Europe & Africa · Norwegian Reward

Norwegian Reward wins Airline Program of the Year in Europe & Africa for 2023.

This is why the Freddies remain interesting.

Norwegian isn’t Lufthansa Group.

It isn’t Air France-KLM.

It isn’t British Airways.

And Freddie voters don’t care.

The awards aren’t a fleet-size contest.

Norwegian built its reputation as a low-cost carrier, including an ambitious long-haul experiment that once put inexpensive transatlantic flying at the center of its identity.

The pandemic dramatically reshaped the airline.

Norwegian emerged smaller and more focused.

Its loyalty program emerged rather popular.

Reward members could earn benefits and CashPoints in an ecosystem designed to feel understandable rather than mystical.

Apparently understandable travels well.

In a region filled with some of the world’s largest and oldest airline loyalty programs, Norwegian Reward won the big one.

David, meet several Goliaths.

David has a Freddie.