- Mr Plane Guy
- Mar 20, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Vueling Airlines Review: Spain’s Most Punctual Budget Airline
Vueling airlines review:
A320 Economy Class from Barcelona to London Gatwick
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Introduction to Vueling Airlines
Founded in 2004, Vueling Airlines is a prominent Spanish low-cost carrier headquartered in Barcelona. Its name combines "Vuelo" (Spanish for "flight") and the English suffix “-ing,” reflecting its international ambition. Over the years, Vueling has expanded its fleet to over 120 Airbus aircraft, including the A319, A320, and A321, serving more than 140 destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
If you’re searching for luxury-for-less in the skies, Spain’s low-cost carrier Vueling Airlines might surprise you. Once known for delays and confusion, it’s now climbing the ranks — literally. According to the latest Cirium On-Time Performance Report (August 2025), Vueling is Spain’s most punctual airline in Europe, outpacing some premium competitors.
I put it to the test on flight VY7822 from Barcelona to London Gatwick, part of my ongoing Plane Luxury Escapes serie, proving that even budget airlines can offer smart, stylish travel for less.
Fare Options: Tailored for Every Traveller
Fly Light:
Included: One underseat cabin bag (40x30x20 cm).
Fly:
Included: One underseat cabin bag (40x30x20 cm).
Choice of Luggage: One piece of luggage in the overhead locker (max. 10 kg and 55x40x30 cm) or one checked bag up to 25 kg.
Free Seat Selection: During booking.
Fly Grande:
Included: One underseat cabin bag (40x30x20 cm), one piece of luggage in the overhead locker (max. 10 kg and 55x40x30 cm), and one checked bag up to 25 kg.
Flexibility: Unlimited flight changes and free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance (flight credit).
Priority Services: Priority boarding, Fast Track (fast lane access at security checkpoints), and dedicated check-in desks at major airports.
Free Seat Selection: During booking.
Vueling and AVIOS (Updated 2026)
IAG’s Barcelona-based low-cost carrier, is changing how Avios are earned and for most occasional flyers, that effectively means no Avios at all. Under the new Vueling Club rules, you won’t earn Avios until you either fly three times or spend €200 (excluding taxes) in a membership year. Only then does Avios earning unlock, alongside a one-off 500 Avios bonus. It’s a notable shift for an IAG airline and raises obvious questions about whether similar logic could one day reach British Airways hand-baggage-only fares.
Plane Tip: Don’t just save your Avios for long-haul business flights, they’re great for short hops too. I used mine to book a sunshine getaway to Ibiza. If you’re planning your own Spanish escape, check out my Los Felices Ibiza Hotel Review for a dose of boutique-beach luxury that proves you don’t need a five-star budget for a first-class stay.
Vueling Flight Review
VY7822
BCN - LGW
EC-MBD A320-214 (2008)
2hrs 20 minutes
Pre-Flight at Barcelona El Prat: Smooth Start, Chaotic Boarding
I arrived early (5 a.m. early) and breezed through security in record time, a promising start. But the boarding process? A total Plane Pain.
Plane Tip: If you value order, go for priority boarding it’s a small price to skip the queue chaos and secure overhead bin space before the stampede.
Vueling Boarding Chaos
Vueling’s boarding process was disorganised and chaotic, exacerbated by a large group of energetic students. It felt like a free-for-all, with people pushing to board. Vueling could greatly improve by implementing clearer announcements or designated boarding zones to avoid such confusion. 'Manyana Manyana'
Vueling’s A320 fleet still forms the backbone of its short-haul network in 2025, now with improved punctuality and expanded UK routes
Onboard: The Vueling A320 Economy Experience
I booked an extra legroom “Space” seat (€30), which made all the difference for a 6'1" traveller like me. The seats are slimline but bearable for a short hop, and the under-seat USB ports are a rare plus for a budget carrier.
No seatback screens, no power outlets, and no frills, but this is where Plane Good Value comes in. You’re paying for punctuality and price, not pizzazz.
Vueling Wi-Fi and In-Flight Entertainment
Vueling stands out by offering onboard Wi-Fi for €5.99 a rare feature among European budget airlines. Unfortunately, the connection failed throughout the flight. Despite attempts to reconnect via both my phone and laptop, the network remained inaccessible.
No seatback screens or overhead monitors were present, typical of budget airlines.
Vueling Food and Beverage Service
The in-flight service on Vueling was budget airline buy-on-board menu. They offered a variety of snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, though prices were slightly higher than average. I opted for the Spanish tapas meal, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The meal included a selection of traditional Spanish items, such as Manchego cheese, olives, and pan con tomate. It was fresh, flavourful, and a nice touch of local cuisine that gave the flight a distinctly Spanish flair one San Miguel later and my Barcelona city break was continuing on this Vueling flight!
Lavatory Access Issues
Midway through the flight, the crew curtained off the front lavatories for their break — leaving over 200 passengers queuing for the rear ones. According to online reviews, this isn’t an isolated incident but a regular feature of flying Vueling.
Let’s just say… it was quite literally taking the Pi$$.
Vueling FAQs
Is Vueling strict on hand luggage? Yes, especially on Basic fares, where only one under-seat bag (40x20x30cm) is allowed.
What is “Space One”? Row 1 seats with extra legroom, priority boarding, and space for two cabin bags.
Why is Vueling charging for seat selection? This practice maximizes revenue while offering flexibility to passengers.
Can you use the BA lounge with Vueling? No, even though Vueling is part of IAG, lounge access is not extended to its passengers.
Travelling to Barcelona? You might like this hotel and blog post.
2026 Update: New Routes, Better Reliability
Vueling continues to expand across the UK and Europe, now operating from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh, with new routes to Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela.
The airline’s improved punctuality record (79% on-time) means it’s quickly becoming a go-to option for reliable short-haul travel.
Vueling Airlines Baggage Policy: What You Need to Know
Vueling Airlines is known for its strict baggage policy, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with unexpected fees at the gate. Here’s everything you need to know before you fly Vueling.
Free Cabin Bag Allowance with Fly Light
Size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (including handles and wheels)
Weight: No official weight limit, but it must fit under the seat in front of you
Vueling is very strict about baggage sizes, and if your bag exceeds the allowed dimensions, it will be checked into the hold, often at a higher fee.
PLANE TIP: This is the bag I use when travelling with Vueling for just a couple of days away.....
Cabin Max Metz 20L Underseat Bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm)
This bag is the ideal size for Vueling’s free personal item allowance. It’s lightweight, durable, and perfectly sized to avoid extra charges at the gate.
Lightweight & Compact: Weighs only 500g
Comfortable for Travel: Padded straps for all-day wear
Organized Storage: Multiple compartments for easy packing
Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled materials
It comes in so many different colour options
Vueling FLY or FLY GRANDE
you get the ability to bring two pieces of hand luggage into the cabin.
2 PIECES OF LUGGAGE
1 under seat cabin bag
Max. 40x30x20 cm
1 overhead cabin bag
Max. 10 kg and 55x40x20 cm
Need a bigger bag?
45x36x20 cm to fit under seat requirements for Vueling which is 40x30x20 cm.
Check it out HERE
This is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to carry around a backpack, you can push or pull this around on its wheels. It still fits Vueling's FREE personal bag under. seat allowance!
Check it out HERE
A common question is: Can I take a handbag as well as a carry-on bag on Vueling flights? unless you have booked Fly, Fly Grande, TimeFlex Fares, are a Premium Customer, and Passengers Traveling with Infants: These fares include both a small under-seat cabin bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) and a larger cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) with a maximum weight of 10 kg
Paid Cabin Baggage Option
Size: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (including handles and wheels)
Weight: Maximum 10 kg
Cost: Available as an add-on during booking or at the airport (cheaper to pre-book online)
This is perfect if you have purchased Space One or Space Plus seats or FLY or FLY Grande packages that all give you the option to take onboard two bags
1 underseat cabin bag Max 40x30x20 cm
1 piece of luggage in the overhead locker Max 10 kg and 55x40x20 cm
Plus you can keep the bag with me and I don't have to stress at the luggage carousel! I take my 40L Cabin Max Anode and can fit plenty of items for a week away.
It is so light weight, it has 360 spinning wheels so I can push or pull it around the airport and place my small undereat bag on top of it.
For those who need more space, the Cabin Max Anode 40L is a fantastic option.
Spacious and Lightweight: Perfect for trips up to 7 days, with enough room for clothing, toiletries, and extras.
Durable and Stylish: Available in various colours, so you can travel in style.
It's also a perfect fit for Ryanair Priority: No worries about your bag arriving separately, as you can keep it with you.
It comes in so many colours!!
Have you had a delayed or cancelled Vueling flight?Click here to check how much you could be entitled too
As of March 2025, Vueling Airlines operates flights from several UK airports, offering a variety of routes to destinations across Europe. Here's a comprehensive list of their UK departure points and the routes available in 2025:
1. London Heathrow Airport (LHR):
Destinations:
Barcelona (BCN)
Bilbao (BIO)
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
Note: The routes to Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela commenced on March 30, 2025.
2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW):
Destinations:
Barcelona (BCN): Vueling offers direct flights from Gatwick to Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
Paris-Orly (ORY): Direct flights are available from Gatwick to Paris-Orly Airport.
Málaga (AGP): Vueling operates flights from Gatwick to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport
Seville (SVQ): There are direct flights from Gatwick to Seville Airport.
Granada (GRX): Vueling provides flights from Gatwick to Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport.
Menorca (MAH): Flights are available from Gatwick to Menorca Airport
A Coruña (LCG): Vueling operates flights from Gatwick to A Coruña Airport
Asturias (OVD): There are flights from Gatwick to Asturias Airport
Almería (LEI): Vueling offers flights from Gatwick to Almería Airport
Jerez (XRY): Flights are available from Gatwick to Jerez Airport.
3. London Luton Airport (LTN):
Destinations:
Barcelona (BCN)
4. Manchester Airport (MAN):
Destinations:
Barcelona (BCN)
5. Glasgow Airport (GLA):
Destinations:
Bilbao (BIO)
Note: This route is particularly popular among football fans traveling to matches in Bilbao.
6.Edinburgh (EDI)
Destinations:
Barcelona (BCN)
Book Flights with Trip.com
Where to stay in Ibiza, Los Felices Ibiza Hotel Review
Priority Pass
Get it now before the final boarding call! See what I did there?
Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport VIP lounge access program, with over 1800+ lounges in over 600 cities across 148 countries! From just £69 for an annual pass.
The lovely people from priority Pass have offered me a 30% discount code making it just £48! Be quick this won't last long!! Use my link below.
Final Boarding Call
Vueling has found its rhythm, no longer just cheap, but cheap and on time. It’s not luxury, but it’s undeniably Plane Smart Travel.
Plane Related links:
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Vueling airlines review: A320 Economy Class from Barcelona to London Gatwick.
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