Norwegian Air Shuttle is Scandinavia's largest low-cost carrier and Europe's fourth largest LCC, operating 95 Boeing 737 aircraft (MAX 8 and NG-800) from bases across Scandinavia, Spain, and the UK. The airline carried 22.6 million passengers in 2024 and posted record financial results. Norwegian also acquired Widerøe in 2024, creating a group of 145+ aircraft across jet and turboprop operations.
Norwegian's pilot selection has a distinctive Scandinavian character: relaxed atmosphere, behavioral-only interviews (no technical component), and an expectation that you arrive with or self-sponsor your type rating. For the full assessment, see the Norwegian interview guide.
CV Guide Summary
- This guide covers how to format your pilot CV specifically for Norwegian Air applications.
- How to write a pilot CV for Norwegian Air.
- Structure your CV to highlight the specific qualifications and experience Norwegian Air values most.
- Includes formatting templates, common mistakes to avoid, and section-by-section guidance.
- Norwegian Air Shuttle is Scandinavia's largest low-cost carrier and Europe's fourth largest LCC, operating 95 Boeing 737 aircraft (MAX 8 and NG-800) from bases across Scandinavia, Spain, and the UK.
Self-Sponsored Type Rating
Unlike Emirates, Qatar, or Lufthansa — all of which provide type ratings — Norwegian typically expects pilots to hold or self-sponsor a Boeing 737 type rating. This is a significant upfront investment (approximately €25,000-35,000) and affects how you present yourself on your CV.
If you already hold a B737 TR, make it prominent: list the variant (NG or MAX), endorsement date, and current recency. If you do not hold one but plan to self-sponsor, some candidates mention their commitment to self-sponsoring in their cover letter or application notes — though Norwegian does not always accept cover letters through their portal.
Check before you invest
Type rating requirements vary by hiring wave and base. Some postings may accept non-type-rated pilots. Always check the current listing before committing to a €30,000 self-sponsored TR — confirm Norwegian is actively hiring and that the posting requires the type rating.
Behavioral Focus — No Tech Interview
Norwegian is unusual among European airlines: the personal interview has no technical component. Questions focus entirely on career motivation, conflict resolution, teamwork, and personal values. Technical ability is assessed separately in the Boeing 737 simulator.
This means your CV should reflect soft skills and cultural fit alongside technical credentials. Norwegian values flat hierarchy and collaborative cockpit culture — Scandinavian aviation culture emphasizes open communication over rank-based authority. Mention CRM training outcomes, crew resource management examples, and any leadership experience that demonstrates collaborative decision-making rather than top-down authority.
Candidates consistently describe the assessment atmosphere as "friendly and relaxed but professional." Your CV should match that tone — confident and clear without being overly formal or corporate.
Base & Contract Considerations
Norwegian operates from multiple bases with significantly different living costs and contract terms. Scandinavian bases (Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki) offer NOK or SEK/DKK/EUR contracts with Nordic tax rates. Spanish bases offer lower salaries but lower living costs. The UK base (Gatwick) operates under GBP contracts.
State your base preference clearly
- Norwegian hires per base — your preference affects which pool you enter
- If you are flexible across multiple bases, say so — it increases your chances
- Mention right to work in the relevant country (EU/EEA for Scandinavian bases, UK for Gatwick)
- If applying for a Scandinavian base, any Norwegian/Swedish/Danish language skills are a plus — state your level
CV Format & What to Highlight
Standard European format: no photo, no date of birth, no marital status. Single-column PDF, standard fonts at 10-12pt. Norwegian's recruitment is online through their careers portal — create a candidate profile and upload your CV and documents.
Key items for Norwegian
- B737 type rating (variant, endorsement date, recency)
- Total hours, PIC, SIC, multi-crew, multi-engine
- EASA ATPL and Class 1 medical status
- Base preference and right to work in relevant country
- Scandinavian language skills (if any)
- CRM and teamwork examples — Norwegian values collaborative cockpit culture
Photo Policy
Most European airlines do not require a photo on your CV, and including one can trigger unconscious bias concerns in some HR departments. Do not add a photo unless the airline specifically requests one on their careers page.
Submit as PDF
Always submit your CV as a PDF unless the airline specifically requests Word format. ATS systems can strip formatting from .docx files — tables, columns, and custom fonts often render as garbled text. Use a single-column layout with standard section headings.
Norwegian-Specific Mistakes
Applying without a B737 type rating when the posting requires one — Norwegian typically expects it. Check the current listing before applying. Self-sponsoring after acceptance may not be an option.
Over-preparing for a technical interview — there is no technical component in Norwegian's personal interview. Focus your preparation on behavioral and motivational questions instead.
No base preference stated — Norwegian hires per base. Omitting your preference creates ambiguity and may delay processing.
Overly formal or hierarchical tone — Scandinavian aviation culture values flat hierarchy and open communication. A CV that reads like a military service record may feel culturally misaligned.