How strict are carry-on size requirements for Vueling airlines in FCO?

I would assume a strict interpretation of the rules - no one here can vouch how Vueling will enforce its standards.

No telling. Sometimes gate agents can be very strict, especially if their boss just got done chewing them out for being too lenient. If you want absolute peace of mind, follow the rules precisely. If that means buying a new bag that fits their specs, go ahead and then you can stop worrying.

http://www.vueling.com/en/vueling-services/prepare-your-trip/luggage

http://www.edreams.com/blog/luggage-restrictions-by-airline/

Sometimes gate agents can be very strict, especially if their boss
just got done chewing them out for being too lenient. If you want
absolute peace of mind, follow the rules precisely. If that means
buying a new bag that fits their specs, go ahead and then you can stop
worrying.

Best advice, IMHO. There's no assurance how lenient or not the agents may be so if you don't want to risk checking your bag (and what sort of pain that may be), keep it within limits.

At least some of the budget airlines assess horrendous fees if you discover at the airport that your bag must be checked. If the bag isn't small enough, it is often much, much cheaper to pay the bag-check fee online ahead of time.

As stated, it is up to the gate agent.

I had a recent run in with a British Airways gate agent who wanted to check my carry on even though it was well within the limits of the airline's carry on restrictions. The flight was full and they decided to check the carry on bags of the first ten people to arrive at the boarding gate. I put up a stink and they decided to let me carry it on.

If you get to the gate and your bag is too big, they should check it right there.

By the way, you won't be able to remain "airside" at FCO. That's where you will go through passport control since it is your first stop in Schengen. (Unless you are stopping somewhere else in Italy before that.)

Chetsinger1, I am in the exact same predicament and have spent a number of hours, THIS WEEK, researching what to do in this situation. I, too, will arrive FCO on a US carrier, Delta, with exactly 2 hours to transfer to a Vueling flight to Dubrovnik. I'm still trying to figure this out. Here's what I've learned so far. First, baggage: various folks have (as noted above) had various experiences with gate attendants, and at check-in, re. what bag/s that can take onboard. I do have a bag which EXACTLY fits their height and width requirements, but which is 4 cm too deep. I may go shopping (with tape measure in hand) or I may risk it...It appears that the charge is 30 euros (may be more) to check a bag at the plane side if it is over-sized or over-weight. That might be cheaper than buying a new bag. They are also touchy about weight (say some folks on-line). Pay attention to the 10 kg (22 lbs) limit. I've also read LOTS of reports of experiences of folks' checked bags not making it onto their flights and Vueling not being helpful in the least re. tracking down the bags, so I HOPE to get my bag aboard with me! Next: actually making that connection! When I purchased the Vueling ticket, I counted on going straight to the Vueling boarding gate at FCO, and not have to go through immigration and/or have to re-enter security. My Delta flight should come in at Terminal 3, and Vueling departs Terminal 3. HOWEVER, after I purchased my Vueling ticket, the Vueling notes included the statement that passengers to Dubrovnik could NOT check-in online and would have to "go to the check-in desk at FCO." AND Vueling check-in at FCO ends 45" before departure and the boarding gate ends boarding 20" before departure. My hope is that the on-line advisor on ifly dot com is correct that there is "probably a Vueling transfer desk" inside the security area, in terminal 3. If there isn't, I may not make the flight. To hedge my bets, I've downloaded the Vueling app onto my iPhone (free at your App Store) and entered my personal & flight info, hoping to check into the Vueling flight through the app before I depart the US. If I can't check in via the app, there sure better be a Vueling transfer desk! I fly in Sept. 2017, so if you fly before that and are able to re-post, or private message me, I sure would appreciate it. Good luck!

Both chetsinger1 and jmauldinuu do not have a "connection" - you have two separate flights.

So, as Frank II said, you cannot remain airside. You will have to go through immigration and customs in FCO (unless you are stopping in another Schengen country on your way to FCO), then make your way to your Vueling gate, passing through security on the way. Customs is just a walk through, unless you are "randomly selected for additional screening" (rare but possible). But immigration and security wait times cannot be predicted. At least you won't have to wait for your checked luggage to arrive at FCO.

Yes, if Vueling makes you check your bag, they will charge you for it. If you prepay on their website, it's much cheaper than if they make you pay at the airport. As everyone says, you cannot predict how strict they will be, so it's best to err on the side of assuming they will follow the rules exactly. Do get your boarding pass in advance (should be able to do this before you leave the US). And as said above, they are strict with their times; if you miss the deadlines, they won't let you on, but will want you to buy a new, last minute priced ticket.

If everything is smooth and quick at FCO, you'll be fine. If it isn't, you won't. How lucky do you feel?

What I did in a similar situation (FCO to PMO on a separate ticket, the same day I was arriving at FCO from the US) was buy two tickets - one three hours after my arrival, and one ten hours after. I did this because I was looking at last minute ticket prices on that route for my arrival day (a Monday), and they were starting to skyrocket; two advance tickets were still cheaper. That way, I knew I'd use one and throw away the other one, and I just counted the total price of the two tickets as the cost of getting from FCO to PMO. In the end, I made my 3 hour flight with time to spare, and I even had to pick up checked luggage and recheck it - but of course, I could just as easily have missed it.

I flew Vueling out of FCO last month.
If it is a full flight they will stop you while in process of boarding and check your bag at the gate.

Thanks, I think I'll plan on carrying my bag to the gate, and checking it there and paying the fee if I'm challenged. It's preferable than having to go landside and checking it at an outside desk.

You have no choice. You will be landside back through security. You are running two separate tickets. And if you are truly only off only 2 cm - about 3/4 of an inch - then you are probably OK because you can compress your bag enough to make it fit. Just remember discount airlines make a lot of money from bag fees so there is an incentive to enforce the rules.

I recently traveled to Milan via Delta, carrying standard US carry-on size roller board, 22". No problems.

Returning I flew British Airways from Milan through Heathrow, that same roller board was exactly two-inches too long. The overhead couldn't close. Flight attended gate checked my bag thru to the US.

Lesson, US carriers you can use US standard carry-on sizes but, for overseas carriers, you gotta use 20" int'l standard. Considering Vueling is a Spanish carrier, you can roll the dice and gate-check your bag should it not fit or, just pay the bag fee in advance and not get dinged.

My wife and I, both retired, spend six months each year in Europe, three in Spain during the winter and three three months later in spring and summer (following Schengen rules). We often fly Vueling when visiting our three daughters in Germany and Switzerland. The first time we flew Vueling, four years ago, I was petrified by their limited weight and size allowances, and packed accordingly. Many, many other passengers were carrying large bags without any problem. And it has been this way every we have traveled with them (about, I think, 12 times). So, I don't think they are any different than any other airline: you take your chances. That said, I always have my camera, cell phone, Bose phones, and critical things in a small purse-sized man bag that every airline has let me carry separate from my carry on bag. Good travels!