Norwegian vs Ryanair: fleets and facts compared
Norwegian (Norway) and Ryanair (Ireland) side by side: fleet size, main aircraft type, founding year, hubs and status, each from our database with its source and date. Both are among the larger low-cost airlines in Europe in our directory.
- 95Norwegian fleet, as of 30 June 2026
- 647Ryanair fleet (group), as of 30 June 2026
At a glance
Each fact from our database. A grey tint marks the larger value in a row; it is not a verdict.
Data last updated: Norwegian · Ryanair
Fleet breakdown
Aircraft types as each source reports them, largest first.
Norwegian fleet1 type
The type counts add up to 36 of the 95-aircraft total, as the source reports them.
Ryanair fleet3 types
Baggage & fees compared
Human-reviewed summaries. Rules change, so check the airline's own site before you book.
Norwegian
Norwegian's allowances depend on the ticket type. Figures below are from its UK website.
- LowFare: one small underseat cabin bag (30 x 40 x 20 cm), maximum 10 kg. No checked bag included.
- LowFare+: the underseat bag plus one overhead cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm), with a combined hand-baggage limit of 10 kg; one 23 kg checked bag.
- Flex: the underseat bag plus one overhead cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm), combined limit 15 kg; two 23 kg checked bags.
- Everyone may also bring one airport shopping bag.
- Checked bag limits: each bag must weigh between 2 kg and 32 kg and measure no more than 300 cm in total (length + height + width); total checked baggage may not exceed 74 kg. Bags over 23 kg incur excess charges.
- Infants under 2: 5 kg of checked baggage, plus one car seat and/or one stroller as checked baggage. Children aged 2 to 11 get their ticket type's allowance plus a car seat and/or stroller.
Checked bags can be added to a booking up to four hours before departure. Source: Norwegian, "Hand baggage" and "Checked baggage" pages, read on 24 October 2026.
Source: airline baggage page, read 2026-10-24.
Ryanair
Ryanair's help centre sets out the following allowances. Weights and sizes only; check the booking for what your fare includes.
- Small personal bag (all fares): one bag of up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, such as a handbag or laptop bag, which must fit under the seat in front.
- Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (add-on): the small personal bag plus one bag of up to 10 kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm, stored in the overhead locker, with priority boarding.
- 10 kg Check-in Bag (add-on): dropped at the check-in desk before security and carried in the hold.
- 20 kg Check-in Bag (add-on): maximum 80 x 120 x 120 cm; up to three can be added per passenger.
- 23 kg Check-in Bag (add-on): maximum 80 x 120 x 120 cm; one per passenger.
- Infants on an adult's lap: no cabin bag allowance of their own, but a baby bag of up to 5 kg (45 x 35 x 20 cm) is allowed, plus two items of baby equipment free of charge.
Source: Ryanair Help Centre, "Ryanair's Bag Policy" and the 20 kg and 23 kg check-in bag dimension pages, read on 24 October 2026.
Source: airline baggage page, read 2026-10-24.
Search flights
Both searches open our booking partner. Fares vary by route and date, so compare the same trip on each.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this site — this never affects the price you pay.How we earn money
Frequently asked
Which has the bigger fleet, Norwegian or Ryanair?
The two figures count different things (one covers a whole airline group), so they are not a like-for-like comparison. Norwegian 95 aircraft (Airline report, as of 30 June 2026); Ryanair 647 aircraft, a group figure (Airline report (Q1 FY27 presentation), as of 30 June 2026).
Is Norwegian cheaper than Ryanair?
Fares change by route, date and demand, so neither airline is always cheaper. This page compares fleets and published facts, not fares. To check prices for a trip, search both airlines for the same dates.
Which airline is older?
Ryanair was founded in 1985, Norwegian in 2002.
Do Norwegian and Ryanair share a hub airport?
Not in our data. Norwegian lists OSL, ARN, CPH, HEL, BGO and AGP; Ryanair lists STN, DUB, BGY, MAN, BCN and CRL.
Are both airlines currently flying?
Yes. Both are active in our directory.