Vueling airlines review: A320 Economy Class from Barcelona to London Gatwick
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my travel blog and allows me to continue creating useful content. Thank you for your support!
Important: I am not a financial expert, and this article is for informational purposes only. Always do your own research and consider your financial situation before making any decisions about financial products.
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.
This widespread network makes Vueling a convenient choice for budget-conscious travellers looking for affordable short-haul options. As part of the International Airlines Group (IAG), alongside British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Level, Vueling benefits from shared resources and a robust operational framework. However, this connection does not grant passengers perks like BA lounge access, and the airline operates as a fully independent budget carrier.
Fare Options: Tailored for Every Traveller
Fly Light:
Included: One underseat cabin bag (40x30x20 cm).
Avios: 2 Avios for every €1 spent.
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.
Avios: 4 Avios for every €1 spent.
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.
Avios: 4 Avios for every €1 spent.
Vueling and AVIOS
Vueling accepts Avios points, letting travellers earn and redeem them for flights, upgrades, and perks like priority boarding and seat selection. Higher fares earn more Avios, which can be used for discounts, making travel more affordable and rewarding.
Vueling Flight Review
VY7822
BCN - LGW
EC-MBD A320-214 (2008)
2hrs 20 minutes
Pre-Flight: The Barcelona Airport Experience
I arrived at Barcelona El Prat Airport at 5 a.m. for my 7:00 a.m. flight (VY7822). Despite the early hour, the airport buzzed with activity. Fortunately, security was efficient, and I breezed through within minutes. However, the tranquility ended at the gate.
Boarding Chaos
Vueling’s boarding process was disorganized and chaotic, exacerbated by a large group of energetic students. The lack of clear queue management and insufficient communication made the experience frustrating for many passengers. 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 in the future.
Onboard: The Vueling A320 Economy Experience
Seating: I opted for an extra legroom seat in the "Space" category (€30), located near the emergency exit. At 6'1", the additional space was essential. Vueling also offers "Space Plus" (rows 2-4) and "Space One" (row 1), both featuring extra legroom, priority boarding, and two carry-on items.
Comfort: Seat padding was minimal, and the seats didn’t recline. Still, for a 2-hour, 20-minute flight, it was tolerable. USB ports were available under the seats—surprisingly progressive for a low-cost carrier. However, power outlets were absent.
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.
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 with only the rear facilities. According to online reviews, this seems to be a recurring issue on Vueling flights, not just an isolated incident.
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.
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:
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.
TOP 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 underseat 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
or have paid for a bag to carry onboard, option.
Plus youcan 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. It has a well made lock to keep all my items secure. For the price as well it is excellent quality!
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!!
Avoid Extra Fees with These Tips
Stick to the size limits – Vueling is known to check bags at the gate.
Weigh your bag in advance – Even though there’s no weight limit on the free personal bag, if it looks overstuffed, it may be weighed.
Pre-book any extra baggage online – Fees at the airport are significantly higher.
By following these guidelines, you can avoid stress at the airport and travel smoothly with Vueling Airlines
Vueling’s Reliability
While Vueling holds a 2.5/5 rating on TripAdvisor, much criticism revolves around delays and cancellations. Despite this, their safety record is excellent, with no major incidents since their inception in 2004.
Have you had a delayed or cancelled Vueling flight?
With Airhelp it's easy and hassle-free, they handle your entire claim, from kick off to compensation.
With Airhelp it's easy and hassle-free, they handle your entire claim, from kick off to compensation.
They take care of it
Guiding you through the essential documents, and they submit them for you.
Can Save time
You simply submit your documents online — They will take it from there.
No win, no fee
They handle all legal fees, and they will only charge a fee when you get paid.
Regular updates
You receive regular updates and answers to any questions you have
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
Check out the hotel on
Priority Pass
Exclusive Offer: I was kindly given a 30% off code for a Priority Pass!
Get it now before the final boarding call! See what I did there?
Take a Look Here ( I get a tiny kickback BTW, thank you for the support )
Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport VIP lounge access program, with over 1,400+ 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.
Plan Your Airport Parking: Booking in advance can make your journey more seamless.
Final Verdict
Vueling offers an acceptable, budget-friendly option for European travellers. While the airline excels in affordability, Wi-Fi availability, and punctuality—ranking 4th in European on-time performance in 2022 (82.04% of flights on time)—its service and organisation need improvement. Boarding is chaotic, and lavatory access poorly managed.
Would I fly Vueling again? Yes, if the schedule and price fit my needs. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to book them. For those seeking a no-frills flight with a competitive fare, Vueling is a reasonable choice.
Related links:
Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you enjoyed this Vueling airlines review :A320 Economy Class from Barcelona to London Gatwick, do let me know in the comments........
Commenti