I saved hundreds flying budget airline Norse Atlantic. Here's what I paid extra for — and what I skipped.

Budget carrier Norse Atlantic Airways is known for its cheap but barebones flights between the US and Europe, and I usually avoid it in favor of major carriers with more included perks.

But I found myself with little choice in June after my Iberia flight from Naples, Italy, to Orlando was canceled just weeks before my trip.

Norse was the only last-minute option that didn’t cost more than $1,000 or require multiple stops.

I booked two economy “light” tickets for my boyfriend and me for about $630 total, carefully reviewing Norse’s fare rules and strategically purchasing extras to ensure it went smoothly.

My fare included an unassigned seat, a personal item, and a carry-on with strict size and weight restrictions, but nothing else.

I added an immigration fast-track on the Norse app since I was transferring at London Gatwick, but skipped the seat selection, luggage, and meals.

The 10-hour Norse flight was more enjoyable than I expected, and the extra planning required for a no-frills airline was worth the savings.

Here’s what made the experience work for me.