Vueling Compensation Guide: Claim Up to €600 for Delayed or Cancelled Flights

Vueling is Spain's largest low-cost airline and one of the busiest carriers on Iberian routes. With its hub at Barcelona El Prat and extensive operations across Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy, Vueling moves tens of millions of passengers annually. When things go wrong — and with low-cost carriers, they sometimes do — EU Regulation EC 261/2004 entitles you to compensation of up to €600.

If you've experienced a Vueling flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding, this guide explains exactly what you're owed and how to get it.

Vueling and EC 261/2004: Your Rights

As an EU-based airline (part of the IAG group, alongside Iberia and British Airways), Vueling falls squarely under EC 261/2004. The regulation covers:

• All Vueling flights departing from any airport worldwide
• All Vueling flights arriving at an EU airport

Given that Vueling operates almost exclusively within Europe, virtually every Vueling flight is covered.

Compensation Amounts for Vueling Flights

| Flight Distance | Amount | |---|---| | Up to 1,500 km (e.g., Barcelona–Madrid, Barcelona–Lisbon) | €250 | | 1,500 – 3,500 km (e.g., Barcelona–London, Bilbao–Rome) | €400 | | Over 3,500 km | €600 |

Most Vueling routes are short to medium-haul within the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, so claims typically range from €250 to €400 per passenger.

When Can You Claim Vueling Compensation?

Flight Delays

You're entitled to compensation when your Vueling flight arrives 3 or more hours late at your final destination. The delay is measured at arrival (when the aircraft doors open), not departure.

Cancellations

If Vueling cancels your flight and:

• Notifies you fewer than 14 days before departure, AND
• Doesn't offer a satisfactory alternative routing

...you're owed compensation. The closer to departure the cancellation happens, the stricter the rebooking requirements become.

Denied Boarding

If Vueling denies you boarding due to overbooking — not uncommon on popular Iberian routes during peak season — you're entitled to compensation immediately, plus the choice between a refund and rebooking.

Vueling on Iberian Routes: What to Know

Vueling dominates the Spanish domestic market and operates heavy traffic between Spain and Portugal. Here's what's relevant for Iberian travellers:

High-Frequency Routes, Higher Disruption Risk

Routes like Barcelona–Madrid, Barcelona–Seville, and Barcelona–Lisbon run multiple times daily. While this means more rebooking options when things go wrong, it also means disruptions on one flight can cascade across the day's schedule.

Seasonal Congestion

Spanish airports — especially Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Málaga — experience severe congestion during summer months. ATC (air traffic control) restrictions are common, particularly for Mediterranean routes. Vueling often cites ATC delays as extraordinary circumstances, but not all ATC-related delays qualify as such.

Connecting via Barcelona

If you're connecting through Barcelona El Prat on Vueling, be aware that tight connections during peak hours can be risky. If you miss a connection because your first Vueling flight was late and both legs were on the same booking, the total delay at your final destination determines your compensation.

How to File a Vueling Compensation Claim

Option 1: Directly with Vueling

Vueling has a claims section on their website under "Customer Service" or "Contact Us." You can submit a compensation request by providing:

• Your booking reference (PNR)
• Flight number and date
• Passenger details
• Description of the disruption

Vueling should respond within a reasonable timeframe, though delays of several weeks are common — especially during summer disruption periods.

Option 2: Through AESA (Spanish Aviation Authority)

If Vueling rejects your claim or doesn't respond within 4-6 weeks, you can escalate to AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea), Spain's National Enforcement Body. AESA handles complaints for flights departing from Spanish airports and is generally effective, though the process can take several months.

Option 3: Use a Claims Service

For a hassle-free process, check your eligibility with FlightOwed. We handle the claim from start to finish, including escalation and legal proceedings if Vueling refuses to pay.

Common Vueling Rejection Tactics

The ATC Excuse

Vueling frequently blames delays on air traffic control restrictions. While genuine ATC strikes or system-wide closures are extraordinary circumstances, routine ATC flow management — which is a daily reality of European aviation — is generally not sufficient to exempt the airline.

If Vueling cites ATC, ask for specifics: which ATC authority, what kind of restriction, and how it specifically affected your flight. Generic "ATC delay" claims often don't hold up.

Technical Issues Dressed as Extraordinary

Vueling may describe routine technical problems in dramatic language — "safety-critical inspection required" or "unforeseen technical issue." EU courts have consistently ruled that most technical faults are part of normal airline operations and do not constitute extraordinary circumstances. Only truly exceptional technical events (manufacturing defects discovered during operation, for example) might qualify.

Slow-Walking the Response

A common tactic: Vueling takes months to respond, hoping you'll forget or give up. Set calendar reminders and follow up at regular intervals. Keep all correspondence.

Partial Offers

Some passengers report receiving offers below the statutory amount — for instance, €125 instead of €250. The regulation sets fixed amounts; airlines cannot unilaterally reduce them. Reject partial offers and insist on the full amount.

Tips for Claiming Vueling Compensation

1. Screenshot the Vueling app when you see delay notifications. This creates timestamped evidence that's difficult to dispute.

2. Ask for a written delay confirmation at the gate or service desk. Spanish law supports your right to this documentation.

3. Don't accept vouchers unless you genuinely prefer them. You're entitled to cash compensation under EC 261.

4. Claim in the right language. While Vueling's customer service operates in Spanish, English, and several other languages, filing in Spanish can sometimes speed up the process for Spain-departing flights.

5. Check connecting delays carefully. If you connected in Barcelona and arrived late at your final destination, calculate the total delay — not just the delay on one leg.

6. Remember: per passenger. A group of 3 friends flying Barcelona to Porto on a delayed Vueling flight could be owed €750 total (€250 each). Don't file just one claim for the group.

Vueling's Duty of Care

Regardless of the cause of disruption, Vueling must provide:

• Meals and drinks for delays of 2+ hours (short-haul) or 3+ hours (medium-haul)
• Hotel accommodation for overnight delays, plus transport to the hotel
• Communication: Two phone calls or emails

If Vueling doesn't provide these, pay out of pocket, keep receipts, and claim reimbursement separately from your compensation claim.

Time Limits for Vueling Claims

In Spain, the statute of limitations for EC 261 claims is 5 years from the date of the flight. This is more generous than many EU countries. If you're claiming under Portuguese jurisdiction (for flights departing from Portugal), the limit is 3 years.

Don't let old disruptions go unclaimed. If you flew Vueling in the last few years and experienced a significant delay or cancellation, you may still be eligible.

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For more airline-specific guides, visit our airlines page. Have questions? Check our FAQ for quick answers about EU flight compensation rights.