Widerøe

Widerøe is Norway's regional specialist, threading a network of short coastal hops between airfields that larger jets cannot reach. Its whole reason for being is the short-runway airstrip carved into a fjord edge or perched on a windswept island, so the flying is measured in minutes rather than hours.

Because the legs are short, the cabin is a single economy class across the fleet. There is no business section to compare and no premium seat to hold out for. Seat choice here is about small practical wins on a quick flight rather than surviving a long haul.

The fleet leans on the Dash 8 turboprop in two sizes, the smaller Q400 and a higher-capacity variant, both built for steep approaches and tight strips. The propellers sit level with the wing, which matters when you pick a seat.

Widerøe also flies the Embraer E190-E2, a quieter jet used on longer regional and international sectors where a runway allows it. It gives the airline a smoother ride and more range than the turboprops without changing the single-class layout.

The cabins are compact and functional, sized for flights that rarely run long enough for a meal service. On the Dash 8s the propeller line sits alongside the middle of the cabin, so noise and view vary noticeably by row.

The E190-E2 is the calmer option, with a jet's lower cabin noise and a more even ride. Across all three types the experience is brisk and no-frills, which suits the routes.

On the turboprops, seats ahead of the wing or well back of it sit clear of the propeller line, where the noise and the blurred view are worst. A window forward of the wing gives you the cleanest look out over the coast.

Exit rows carry more legroom but come with the usual duty and stowage rules, so weigh that against a quick flight where the extra space matters less. On the E190-E2 the cabin is quieter throughout, so the choice comes down to window against aisle rather than dodging the propeller.