Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle used the aircraft to launch a subsidiary, Norwegian Air International, that sought to exclusively use the Max to connect secondary markets in the US and Europe.

Such routes including Newburgh, New York to Bergen, Norway; Providence, Rhode Island to Dublin, Ireland and Hartford, Connecticut to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Norwegian operates one of the largest Boeing 737 NG fleets in Europe, making the Max 8 a logical next step in order to lower operating costs. Airlines were able to ingratiate the aircraft into their fleets easily as pilots didn't need to undergo additional training to fly it.