"New" low cost carriers/routes to Europe from US

WOW is another one to add to the list. I have not flown any of these but the same caveats we have heard for low cost carriers within Europe apply to these airlines. Checked baggage and food/beverages are probably not included in the fare. You will probably be limited in what you may carry on as well. Read the fine print!

I flew Condor from Frankfurt to Seattle few times and besides price didn't notice any difference.

We just flew from Oslo to Orlando on Norwegian's 787 Dreamliner. Can't think of anything negative about the flight. Plane was very nice, great variety of movies, food was average airline food and the price was great. We're flying them again in September.

We've flown Icelandair several times, but like Norwegian more.

I wrote a long review of Norwegian a day or two ago under the thread Norwegian long haul.

I've flown them on 5 legs, and find them just fine.

The big U.S. legacy air carriers are having fits about Norwegian Air Shuttle coming to the U.S. with what they claim are crews out of the Far East which are being paid less (than their unionized employees.) Norwegian has agreed to have a diverse work force (including pilots) and they're flying 100% American built Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
We need companies like this to keep the legacy carriers priced where we can afford to travel. Throw in an improved Euro (vs. U.S. Dollar) and 2017 is a great year to travel to Europe.
We've got a flight from Budapest back to the U.S. reserved next month for $238 one way.

We flew WOW last month r/t SFO-CDG.
When I look at GoogleFlghts or Kayak, they're always the least expensive. They're basically the same as Norwegian, except they do not have any entertainment. The base price was $550 each. We opted to choose seats, they have 4 tiers: take what they give you for free, or 3 ascending prices... we chose their best seats at $40 + $30 x 2 for the two legs. Very worth it to us. We had seats at the exit with space enough to stand, stretch and move around right at our seats. So, for a total of $690 from SFO it was a good deal.
They allow free carryon 21" (w/wheels incl in measurement) and 22 lbs limit plus a personal item (despite what their website said in early Feb). At least half of those boarding had carryon and 3 personal items and no one blinked an eye. Going over they did not weigh or require sizer for our carryon. Coming back, they did... we were 1 lb over the 22 lb limit but the guy checking us in said it was not a problem.
Seats were very comfortable. Seats reclined. Plane was clean. Flight attendants very nice. Two were exceptionally nice. Food was actually very decent. USB ports at seats. Keflavik airport was really nice. The only two negatives are 1) Iceland's weather can delay or cancel a flight - no fault of airline and 2) their customer service is poor. That's true of Norwegian as well.

" I have to wonder, what airlines are people flying on that are so much better?"

I agree and wonder the same. The only thing that would be better for me is non-stop... and business class of course 😂

I really like the food, service, and prices on Turkish Air. And the long layovers in Istanbul. I think Turkish is demonstrably better (judging by the reviews, ratings, and plain ol' hard data) on all three criteria. It's the only airline when I didn't feel like I was flying in Economy Class (although I was flying in Economy Class). The electronics ban is a major downside that will affect this airline due to the Istanbul routing.

I look for decent food, a direct flight, ie, get it over with in 11 hrs, a clean plane, seat reclining, luggage policy (the price for checking in the spinner), punctuality (that's relative), professionalism and helpfulness of the staff. With the option of low cost carriers, traveling to Europe more often is certainly a consideration.

Norwegian Air: 2 meals, plus wine included. I liked the size of the plane better than Icelandair. Much better entertainment. Direct flight. Icelandair - always have to change planes in Iceland.

Sue, a friend of mine, who likes and flies Norwegian, says they charge for meals and wine and the entertainment they provide are movies that are several years old. Is that your experience?
Unfortunately, Norwegian is not a direct flight for me (or Fred) to Paris. Someday hopefully!

We have flown Norwegian roundtrip three times, and will fly a fourth time next month. The pros are that the flights are nonstop from Oakland (far less hassle than San Francisco), the planes are new, and that even with the add-ons for reserved seats, checked bags, and food, the price is still good. The negatives are the food - that has declined in quality with each flight - and the movies/TV shows that have not been updated since this route originated three years ago. Our next flight will be to Gatwick, which we far prefer to Heathrow for its simplicity.

XL Air also flies inexpensively to Pairs CDG and other destinations. I haven't tried XL yet but have been tempted.

I flew Norwegian from Oakland to Paris via Oslo r/t in 2015 and the only complaint I had was the incredibly slow checkin line for the flight back home at Orly. Just gotta get there earlier I guess. The flights themselves were fine; just be sure to know what you are and aren't getting at the fare level you choose. I'm flying Norwegian again from Oakland to Nice, and Paris Orly to Oakland (both via Oslo) in 2.5 weeks. :)

We are flying back in September from Milan to USA on Norweigan Air. What a deal!!! I wish I would've known before I already booked Icelandic Air on the flight over.