Mumbai07 Sep 22 1 Traveller Economy
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About Vueling Airlines
Vueling Airlines SA is a low-cost carrier based out of Spain's El Prat de Llobregat in Greater Barcelona. The airline has its hub at Barcelona-El Prat Airport as well as Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Italy. The airline is known to be the largest in Spain with respect to its fleet size and the array of passenger destinations it operates to and from. Vueling Airlines currently serves to over 100 international routes and domestic routes that are sprawled across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The airline came into existence in 2004 with operations commencing in the same year. The first flight operated was between Barcelona and Ibiza. Vueling Airlines' first aircraft in its fleet was an Airbus A320. They owned two of the same aircraft model which were based in airports of Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Ibiza, Brussels and Palma de Mallorca. The airline's name is derived from the combination of two Spanish words 'vuelo' which means flight and the English suffix - ing. The initial shareholders of the airline were Apax Partners with 40 per cent shares, Inversiones Hemisferio (Group Planeta) with 30 per cent shares, Vueling's own management team with 23 per cent shares and Vueling Airlines Investor (JetBlue Airways) with 7 per cent of shares.
In 2005, Vueling Airlines added Madrid as the second base to the airline. Following this move, in 2007, the airline announced its first base outside of Spain in Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, followed by Seville in 2009. The year 2007 was challenging for Vueling Airlines in terms of finances as Apax Partners sold off its 21 per cent stake in the airline. Two profit warnings were also issued in the same year, which was followed by the resignation of two top directors as well as the chairman stating the difference in opinion with respect to commercial strategies. The former Chief Executive of UK's low-cost carrier Go, Barbara Cassani, joined Vueling Airlines as the chairman of the board in the same year. With such massive changes in one year, the airline underwent some transformation and restructuring that was exercised. By 2009, the airline was able to post its first profit. In 2008, the airline expressed its interest to merge with its Spanish nemesis, Clickair, another low-cost carrier. The merger was designed in a way to mitigate the increasing fuel costs and bring forth better airline in the Spanish aviation industry.
It was revealed that the merger would not bring about any changes in Vueling's name. However, the management would be tweaked with Clickair's Alex Cruz taking over the chief executive position. After some scrutiny by the European competition regulators, the airlines received a go-ahead for the merger. With this merger, Vueling was speculated to receive a significant advantage with 19 new routes. The merger enabled Vueling to rise the ranks and become the second-largest Spanish carrier which accommodated 8.2 passengers to about 50 destinations falling in the international routes and the domestic routes. In 2011, Vueling Airlines announced some of its expansion plans with respect to adding more aircraft to its fleet. They stated that they would be bringing in nine aircraft, which would include Airbus A319. The same year, the airline received six of its Airbus A320 while the rest of the Airbus A320s were delivered by the end of the year. The following year, CEO Alex Cruz announced that they would be adding Rome as a new base for Vueling Airlines. This move enabled opening avenues to newer destinations for the airline.
Through the years that followed, the airline has continued to introduce new international routes while cancelling some of the non-profitable routes.
Fleet size of Vueling Airlines
Vueling Airlines' fleet size as of 2020 stands at 124 aircraft in service. Presently, the airline boasts a strong fleet consisting only of Airbus aircraft. The aircraft in the fleet includes six Airbus A319-100s, 78 Airbus A320-200s, 25 Airbus A320neos and 15 Airbus A321-200s. The airline has ordered 19 more Airbus A3220neos and 12 Airbus A321neos. Vueling Airlines is yet to receive its orders for the new aircraft. In 2009, Vueling Airlines co-operated with the American cable channel, MTV for the summer season. Two of Vueling Airlines' aircraft, A320s were repainted with the MTV liveries along with some MTV-themed styling onboard as well. Created and designed by Custo Dalmau, the two liveries were removed by the end of the same year. However, for the following summer in 2010, the airline yet again repainted the MTV's livery while in 2011, the airline added a livery which was based on DJ and producer David Guetta. The cooperation with MTV ceased the same year, and Vueling Airlines repainted its aircraft back to its original livery.
Baggage Allowance
Vueling Airlines' baggage allowance follows the same protocols as much of the airlines globally. For the hand luggage, the airline allows passengers to carry one baggage which should not be heavier than 10 kg in weight. The airline further expects the passengers to measure their bag and make sure that it doesn't exceed the dimension of 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. The additional accessory bag is also allowed on board for passengers. They can carry smaller bags which could either be a handbag, a laptop bag or a briefcase. The dimension of the smaller bag should be within 35cm x 20cm x 20cm. Passengers can also add bags of purchases that were made at the airport, ahead of the flight. These bags should be able to fit under the front seat. Hence, the dimensions play an important role. The checked baggage allowance by Vueling Airline differs depending on the type of cabin class the passenger has purchased tickets for. The range of baggage weight is from 15 kg to 20 kg to 25 kg and finally 30 kg. Details regarding the actual checked baggage size can only be acquired once the passenger books a Vueling Airlines flight online. There are some deals and offers available on the airline's site to acquire extra baggage at a cheaper cost is also available.
In-flight services
Vueling Airlines promises exquisite in-flight services that passengers can avail onboard. As a low-cost carrier, some of the in-flight services of Vueling Airlines do not meet with the upscale experiences that top airlines provide. However, the airline has accommodated comfortable seating interspersed with great hospitality. Passengers will need to book for in-flight meals ahead of the journey. Provision of snacks and other beverages are present onboard. The airline staff is trained and are very helpful. You can request for some in-flight amenity kits too.
Popular routes and top cities for Vueling Airlines
Vueling Airlines is one of the best airlines to pick when it comes to picking a European destination. Since its inception, the airline has managed to expand its horizons tremendously by adding a slew of domestic routes and international routes to its list of destinations. The Spanish low-cost carrier airline has not just grown in terms of its business and profits but has tremendously invested in enhancing operations of its flights too. Vueling Airline's merger with Clickair helped the two airlines enormously. Not only did the airline acquire more destinations but also enabled them with their expansion strategies. Its European network is brilliantly connected as it caters to many international routes in the EU. Some of the top cities include Algiers, Vienna, Brussels, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Prague, Aalborg, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Toulouse, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Athens, Mykonos, Budapest, Catania, Milan, Naples, Rome, Stockholm, Venice, Casablanca, Amsterdam, Oslo, Warsaw, Lisbon, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza, Seville, Menorca, Palme de Mallorca, Zurich, Geneva, Tunis, Kyiv, Edinburg, London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Why travel by Vueling Airlines?
Vueling Airlines is easily one of the best airlines to choose for European rendezvous. It has introduced tremendously good domestic route and international route connectivity to attract travellers to pick them for travelling across the European Union. Some of its benefits also include a flexible in-flight time. Passengers can change their flight time to a more convenient one without having to pay extra euros. Further, on the airline's website, there are several flight and accommodation deals that passengers can avail. On booking a Vueling Airlines flight ticket, passengers can avail discounts of up to 50 per cent on some of the select hotels that have a tie-up with the airlines. Details of the same can be perused on their website.
Vueling Airlines' website has also been enhanced with the latest facilities to ensure that the passenger's transaction and the trip are completed with no concerns. The airline has allocated a web check-in service on their website. Along with this, they also have other facilities such as receiving an update on the flight status as well as details about Vueling Airlines' flight schedules. On booking a Vueling Airlines flight ticket, the airline also shares important information regarding the baggage allowance policy for passengers depending on the type of ticket. Based on the ticket type, passengers will also get access to certain premium facilities provided by the airline.
