Vueling Airlines - as with most carriers, the experience is either very good or very bad! I had both extremes within the past three months. In London, the gate manager even carried my hand baggage and escorted me to the gate I could not find. EXCELLENT!! On a flight from Madrid to Paris all went wrong. Vueling took it upon itself to cancel a flight for a 200 pm departure (purchased well in advance) and book me on a 600 pm. The 600 pm did not leave until 800 pm (problems with the airplane which could not leave from another city to get to Madrid), so we arrived in Paris at 1000+ pm. By then the 9.50 euro train into Paris from CDG was not operating, so I had a 55+ euro taxi into the city which left me at the right number but on the wrong street in the left bank on a Saturday night near midnight. They also cancelled the return flight, so that I did not arrive in the day light hours, but something after 1030 pm. There is literally no way to contact them other than by email which has an automatic response based on the words you choose. I did in fact go to the terminal in Madrid and protest, but the ticket agent could only say "Your flights are as shown...600 pm and 800 pm return. We can not change. I can not make a refund or assure you of a refund." Vueling you are off my radar now forever.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Oh, man, HJ! That really stinks! Are you home now?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Wow, that does suck,, but the RER into Paris does run till midnite( well last train is 1156) so wondering if you hit a job action or something??
Posted by
Prince George, Canada
32 posts
I was in Spain in May and had the same problem with Vueling changing my flight time by two hours. It was a real cost and inconvience to get to the airport in time for the flight. I also will not be using Vueling in the future. I also made a complaint to Vueling and was given much the same answer you got!
Posted by
Chatham, Canada
49 posts
Longtime lurker, firstime poster...oh no. I have booked the same Madrid to Paris flight for October. They have already changed the original mid morning flight to one that is a few hours later. Can't wait for more changes. Oh well.. I will try and go with the flow no matter what happens.
Posted by
Brookline, NH, USA
4 posts
I booked a 7 a.m. flight from Barcelona to Venice on Vueling through an online travel agent for this August - has anyone taken this flight? Thoughts?
Posted by
New York, Ny, Usa
2 posts
Horrible experience. I booked a flight from nice, France to Barcelona for 10:45am. I tried to check in online but was not allowed to. The website had a link to check in but then says I could not at 9:00am. I did not know how long it would take for me to get to the airport so I got there at 10:30am. The most helpful person was a British airways person who showed me which counter was vueling's. no one was there at 10:30am so I was walking around lost. The same British airways lady came and showed me vueling's other counter. The vueling counter agent did not smile once and did not seem pleased to help me. She said I am a no show. I watched the info board and the flight was not boarding til 10:50+am. I watched the flight status changed to last call past 11:05am this whole time and was not allowed to board. The next flight would be at night, returning at 8:55am, the counter agent said. I said that might work since I need to be back for another flight that matches that time. Then she says it is 9:55am, not 8:55am. Maybe her English is not good but I clearly heard 8:55am which would work perfectly for me. With 9:55am, I cannot make it so I am just a no show, losing all my ticket value. Maybe it is language barrier but I did not feel she was interested in helping, it felt like I was bothering her. It is my fault for not getting to the airport earlier than 10:30am for a 10:45am flight. However if I could have checked in online, I would have been able to go directly to the gate with time to spare. Watching the flight finally begin boarding pass 10:45am, and final calling at 11:05am really bothers me. Feeling like I was bothering the agent made my situation feel more horrible. No more vueling for me.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Peirre, seriously I think you are 100% in the wrong here.. no one should show up at 10:30 for a 10:45 boarding..
If you could not check in online you should have been at the airport an hour before at least. I am surprised you thought you could show up that late.. really? This is a lo cost carrier they are not here to cater to people who think they can do things their way ( not checking inn online ) and then have the nerve to show up so very late.
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
The FAQ on the Vueling website says (translation courtesy of SeatGuru): If I plan to check in at the airport, how much time should I allot? Vueling Check-in counters open 2.5 hours prior to departure and they close 40 minutes before the flight departure. When do I need to be at the boarding gate?
All passengers should arrive at their designated boarding gate 30 minutes prior to their flight departure. All boarding gates close 10 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart. So, Pierre, unfortunately the Vueling ground agent thought you didn't make the cut, and she had the power to refuse you. But, re: the statement: The vueling counter agent did not smile once and did not seem pleased to help me....I did not feel she was interested in helping, it felt like I was bothering her. - there are dozens of reviews on various flight forums by other recent Vueling passengers saying almost the exact same thing, in case it makes you feel any better. Misery loves company. :/
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
The low-costs run their planes 11 hours a day, compared to 8 for the traditional carriers. Ryan tries for a turn around time of 25 minutes from touch down to take off. Every minute on the ground is considered wasted money. If a plane is delayed somewhere, your plane will be late because with 25 minutes on the ground, there is no wiggle room to make up for delays. It's probably the same for Vueling. As for the pay: hours off the clock, minimum wage, 5 minutes to clean up the plane, put the seat belts on the seat so the plane looks orderly before you board. Next they have to sell you junk like a carnie so the company can make a profit. Crew, including pilots, are paid only when the engines are turned on. They aren't paid during the required pre-boarding meetings in the terminal before they all board. Though most of the employees hate their jobs, they are glad to have something with the crisis in Europe. Got it. I don't think I'd be a happy camper under those conditions either.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Just an FYI - this is officially a zombie thread. Hi again, HJ ;-) Still sorry about your experience!
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
What does that mean Eileen?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
Oh, I see. That guy dug it up from the dead.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
LOL, Bets ;-) Still sorry, HJ...