Norwegian Expands Summer 2026 Network With Nearly 30 Routes Across Europe and Beyond

Travel patterns across Northern Europe are set to shift during the Northern summer 2026 season as Norwegian prepares to introduce close to 30 routes, combining fresh additions with multiple service resumptions. The planned network, outlined as of 08 February 2026, reflects a broad seasonal schedule designed around leisure-oriented travel periods, with services distributed across several Nordic departure points. Frequencies, aircraft assignments, and operating windows vary by route, with some flights scheduled for the full season and others limited to peak summer months.

Operations under D8-coded flight numbers indicate services marketed and operated by Norwegian Air Sweden while remaining part of the wider Norwegian brand. Across the network, aircraft types include Boeing 737-800, 737 MAX 8, and Airbus A320, supporting both short-haul and medium-haul leisure travel demand during the summer season.

Route Additions and Service Resumptions Across the Network

Several routes are positioned as returning services after extended gaps, while others represent additions not operated in recent years. From Billund, a diverse group of destinations is scheduled, including Barcelona from 28 March 2026 with three weekly Boeing 737-800 flights, Milan Bergamo from 2 April with two weekly Airbus A320 services, and Rome Fiumicino from 3 April with two weekly A320 flights. Naples is set to open from 7 April with one weekly service, increasing to three weekly from 3 May, while seasonal links to Nice are planned between 12 June and 7 August.

Billund’s summer offering further expands with new or restored routes to Edinburgh from 3 April, Porto from 28 April, Malta from 3 June, and Chania from 2 May, the latter returning after its last operation as a charter service in the second quarter of 2020. These routes collectively position Billund as a significant leisure departure point for the season.

Copenhagen is also included in the summer expansion, with seasonal services to Cluj scheduled between 28 June and 9 August, and a new route to Tbilisi starting 27 June. Flights to Tel Aviv are planned to resume from 1 April 2026, restoring connectivity last seen in October 2023. Aircraft on Copenhagen routes are primarily Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8.

From Oslo, a mix of seasonal and longer-running routes is planned. Zurich is set to return from 21 May with two weekly flights, increasing to four weekly during a late-summer period. Seasonal services to Cluj, Palermo, Tangier, and Lamezia Terme are scheduled across varying summer windows, using Boeing 737 variants.

Additional Nordic points feature prominently. Gothenburg is set to gain a Riga route from 29 March and a seasonal Tirana service between 19 June and 14 August. Helsinki is scheduled to operate to Tirana from 20 May to 8 August using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Stockholm Arlanda is included with multiple routes, including Basel/Mulhouse from 22 May, Beirut from 3 April, Hamburg from 13 May, Milan Malpensa from 13 May, and Montpellier from 16 May, several of which mark returns after multiple years.

What This Means for Summer Travel Planning

For travelers, a network structured around summer dates allows for advance planning tied to peak holiday periods. A mix of short-duration seasonal routes and longer-running services creates flexibility across the travel calendar, particularly for those departing from Nordic hubs. The distribution of weekly frequencies, ranging from once-weekly to four-times-weekly operations, reflects varying levels of expected seasonal demand without altering the underlying route structure.

The reintroduction of previously served destinations indicates a return to familiar travel patterns for repeat travelers, while the addition of select routes expands available options within the same regional framework. Aircraft selection across the network supports consistency in capacity while aligning with established short- and medium-haul operations.

A Travel-Focused Seasonal Network Approach

From a tourism-oriented perspective, a summer schedule built around defined operating windows aligns closely with peak travel behavior. Seasonal routes concentrated between late spring and early autumn support travel during traditional holiday periods without extending into lower-demand months. This approach allows travelers to plan trips around fixed dates while maintaining clarity on route availability.

The network design also reflects a balance between continuity and change. By restoring routes last operated several years ago alongside newer additions, the schedule presents familiar choices within a refreshed seasonal layout. This structure emphasizes accessibility and timing rather than year-round expansion, keeping the focus on summer travel flows.

Operational Notes and Network Structure

All routes listed are scheduled based solely on the summer 2026 season plan as of 08 February 2026. Frequencies, aircraft types, and operating dates vary by route and remain specific to the outlined schedule.
The network reflects a consolidated summer offering centered on leisure travel periods across Nordic departure points.

Image Source: AI

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