[Anonymous]

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With Vueling having just launched flights from LGW, I have tried to give an overall flavour of the airline based on our recent trip From Malta to Barcalona and back. Not quite as glam as BA or Emirates First/Business, but may be useful for anyone considering using this carrier!

Website and fares

Easy to use website with three types of fare. Basic, Optima and Excellence. We chose Optima which included seat selection and 23kg worth of luggage per person. The Excellence(sort of business class option) appeared pour value with the only real benefit being a little more room. No lounge, only soft drinks and some basic snacks being the other main perks of this fare. You could also upgrade on board for Euro 70!

Check-in/boarding

Queued for an hour at Malta (normally a breeze) as check-in staff seemingly struggled with system. We were not allowed to print boarding passes in advance for some reason on this leg. It was, however the first flight of the season. Security and boarding were otherwise painless. Check-in at Barcelona was first, though busy, security equally quick, but then we were treated to a game of guess the gate, as our flight was moved from gate 31 to gate 47 to gate 45. Once Vueling had finally worked out where we were departing from it was still a bit a a scrum to get on the planes. Also no one seemed to take any notice of hand baggage allowance with many passengers carrying on two pieces and no checks being undertaken at the gate.

Lounge Access

Thank goodness for Priority Pass (courtesy of Amex)

The planes

8 year old ex Spanair A320 on way over, which had spent the early half of 2012 parked at Dublin, prior to being painted in a half hearted Vueling livery which was still not complete a year later. Inside comfortable, but somewhat tatty and duck tape used on the seat next to mine to hold it together. The return flight was on a 12 year old ex Iberia aircraft in full livery, though engine cowling clearly from three different planes, due to three different shades of yellow. More modern interior, but substantially less comfort and even my wife who is quite small, complained bitterly about lack of room.

The Crew

Functional and hassled on way over, though sort of friendly, but much more organised on the return trip. Lacking the banter, and wit often found on UK low cost carriers.

The Menu

Attractive menu with attractive prices when compared to Easyjet/Ryanair. Some nice hot options too, though none were available, as this was a “short” flight of any a tad under two hours!! Wine came in a plastic bottle and required ice to be added to it to chill it. Sandwiches were of good quality. Soft drinks such as Coke, at least came in a full sized can, unlike the half hearted size things you often get served up with now.

The flights

Uneventful. No entertainment options. Both flights around 30 minutes late.

Arrival.

A bit of a wait for bags at Barcelona, but at least no coins for luggage carts. In Malta the wheels hit the tarmac at 8.05 and we had collected luggage, picked up car from car park and arrived home by 8.43

Verdict

Stands out for baggage allowance and seat selection, but otherwise very much on a par with other Low Cost carriers. Barcelona, however a good modern airport (only 14km from centre of city) and you at least get air bridges too!

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