How much is this costing?
 

According to the Telegraph Norwegian are leasing a Hi-fly A380 for a few weeks to operate the Gatwick - New York service.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/n...ndon-new-york/

Is it really more economically viable to wet lease a 380, and I am making the assumption they will not sell enough extra seats to fill it, rather than cancel the flights and rebook the passengers on other carriers?

Will they be able to claim back from Rolls Royce? Expensive business for Norwegian

Why are you assuming that ?

As a rule, Norwegiian are pretty good at filling their aircraft.

Do not underestimate the value of all the publicity they are getting now all over the press in a lot of countries! Even in countries with zero Norwegian flights, they get press attention; which in that case however has little added commercial value.

The A380 is replacing a Wamos 747-400, and actually has a few less seats on offer owing to vastly diffrent cabin configurations; the A380 retains the premium heavy configuration of former owner SQ.

I would imagine they are attracting some additional traffic. If I was travelling this route and got the chance to pay a Norwegian fare for A380 comfort and SQ seat pitch I would be there!

There are reports of a 4 hour delay due to a "stand congestion" on the arrival side. Is this a bona fide thing or a way to keep a nuisance away?

Edmund