The economy section of Vueling’s Airbus A321 can accommodate 220 passengers. There is no sharp end. Vueling is the largest airline in Spain, with a fleet of 124 aircraft, all of which are Airbus.
Loyalty Scheme
Members of Vueling Club can earn Avios points when they fly, stay at hotels, and go shopping. You can earn Avios on flights with Iberia, Aer Lingus, and British Airways.
Class
Seat 22C in economy. The whole plane is economy class, with a few exceptions. For a small fee, rows 1 through 4 offer a little more room.
Duration
Planned to go on for two hours straight. We get on the plane on time and then wait for almost an hour on the curb. Still, we’ll be there 20 minutes later than planned.
Frequency
Every day at 11:25 a.m., leaving Barcelona.
Health
There are no standards for COVID-19 tests or shots. In Spanish airports, masks are not required, but they must be worn during the flight.
Check-In
Terminal 1 at Barcelona Airport, also known as El Prat Airport, is full on a Sunday morning, two and a half hours before the flight. I can check in online, but I have to wait in line to drop off my checked bag. How long does it take to get to the counter?
This flight stays inside the EU, so there is no need to go through immigration or show a visa.
I get a text from Vueling as I get to the airport. There might not be enough places for everyone, so they’re looking for people who want to go on a later flight in exchange for 100 Euro in airline credit.
Seat
Two rows of three seats each with an aisle separate the 220 economy seats. The seats are 17.7 inches (45 cm) wide and 29 inches (73.7 cm) apart. I’m in 22C, which is an aisle spot. The seat is decorated in Vueling’s signature gray and yellow, but it’s not that interesting for this short trip. There are no USB or power cord charge ports. There is an ad on the seatback that says “Get clear orthodontic aligners from 49Euro per month.”
Baggage
I booked an Optima fare, which lets me bring one personal item that must fit under the seat and check one bag that weighs up to 25 kilograms. I can also bring one bag that weighs up to 10 kilograms in the plane. The Basic fare type only lets you bring an underseat bag.
There is strict enforcement of the rules. Passports are checked at the gate, and only people with Optima tickets can bring carry-on bags to put in the overhead bins.
Entertainment Service
You are on your own. There are no screens on the back of the seats and no magazines available. You can get Wi-Fi for 5.99 euro ($A8.90) per hour or 7.99 euro for the entire flight.
Service
The Spanish attendants’ team wears dark grey and white uniforms with touches of sunny yellow. They are friendly and efficient, but also firm when necessary. We have been told to get off the plane in groups of five rows at a time, which sounds like a reasonable plan. People who break the rules are told firmly to sit down and wait for their turn.
Food Options
There are no free snacks or drinks on this trip. There is organic wine, a Negroni, Serrano ham, pizza, and lemon poppy seed cake for sale. You can also buy snacks at the airport’s duty-free store, which has a great selection of Iberian ham, salami, cheese, nougat, and chocolate.
Conclusion
In summary, Vueling Airlines offers an Economy Class experience on their Airbus A321. Despite a slight delay, the flight remains within the EU, avoiding immigration hassles. Seating is standard with an option for extra legroom at a fee, while in-flight entertainment and food options are limited. The airline’s Spanish attendants provide efficient service, and there is an opportunity to earn Avios points through their loyalty scheme.