Vueling check-in: when and how to check in online
The rules below are checked against the official website. Checking in with Vueling is always free: nobody needs to pay a service to do it, let alone a subscription.
📬 Free check-in reminder
Tell us when and where you are flying: we will email you as soon as Vueling check-in opens, with the official link. The button takes you straight to the Vueling website.
It opens 24 hours before departure, earlier if your fare is Fly, Fly Grande or Fly Pro. Give us your take-off time if you know it: the reminder will arrive at exactly the right moment, otherwise we aim for the evening before.
Free, no spam. By setting the reminder, you agree to receive our useful tips before and during your trip. Unsubscribe in one click.
Who is Vueling?
Launched in Barcelona in 2004, Vueling is Spain's big low-cost airline, a subsidiary of the IAG group alongside British Airways and Iberia. Its main hub is Barcelona El Prat, but Paris Orly has become its leading base outside Spain: it is the second-largest operator there after the Air France and Transavia pair. From France, it serves around 54 destinations from Orly, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes and Nice, mainly to Spain, Italy and the Mediterranean basin.
In practice, you board Airbus A320s configured as tightly as possible, with a small bag under the seat and everything else as an extra: cabin bag, seat choice, paid drinks and snacks on board. The atmosphere is efficient rather than warm, with boarding by groups and plenty of commercial announcements. The higher fares add the cabin bag and seat choice, which brings the final price close to that of a traditional airline.
It is a good choice for reaching Spain and southern Europe cheaply, with an unrivalled choice of routes from Orly. On the other hand, travellers with luggage will quickly pay far more than the headline fare once the cabin bag and seat are added, and those who value responsive customer service will be disappointed: AirHelp rates its compensation handling below the industry average. Families will have to pay for seat selection to be sure of sitting together.
What Vueling does well
- The largest choice of low-cost routes from Paris Orly, where it is the second-largest operator, with around 54 destinations served from France.
- A 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag to slide under the seat is included on all fares, at no extra cost.
- The backing of the IAG group (British Airways, Iberia) makes it a solid low-cost airline, present in France since 2004.
- 83% of flights arrived on time over a year according to the AirHelp Score, a decent result for a low-cost airline operating at congested airports.
What often catches people out
- The cabin bag is only included in the higher fares: bought separately, it costs €10 to €59 online depending on the route, and climbs to €75 at the airport.
- In 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined it around €39 million, notably for charging for cabin bags and for adjacent seats for minors (a decision being challenged in court).
- Without a paid extra, seats are allocated randomly at check-in: groups and families often end up separated, which pushes people towards the paid option.
- Around 20% of flights leave at least 15 minutes late, and late-afternoon departures are the most affected (Indemniflight data 2022 to 2026).
🕐 PunctualityAccording to the AirHelp Score, 83% of Vueling flights arrived on time between October 2024 and September 2025.
Frequently asked questions
When does Vueling online check-in open?
Depends on the fare: as soon as your booking is complete (up to 365 days before) with the Fly, Fly Grande and Fly Pro fares. With the basic Fly Light fare, only 24 hours before the flight, or 15 days before if you have bought a seat, or 7 days before for Vueling Club members.
When does Vueling check-in close?
Up to 50 minutes before take-off, with some exceptions.
How can I avoid paying for a cabin bag with Vueling?
Two options: travel with just the included 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag, or choose a fare that includes the 10 kg cabin bag when you book. Adding the bag afterwards, and above all at the airport, is always the most expensive solution.
Are children seated next to their parents?
Free seat allocation is random. Spain in fact penalised charging for adjacent seats for minors in 2024. In practice, check in early or book your seats together so you don't leave it to chance.
My Vueling flight is delayed: what are my rights?
European regulation EU261 applies: €250 to €600 in compensation depending on distance if the arrival delay exceeds 3 hours and is the airline's responsibility. AirHelp notes that Vueling handles these claims worse than average: keep your receipts and persist.
Rules taken from the official Vueling website. They may change: the reminder we send always includes the current official link.
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