Vueling Airlines Route News

[vctr]

Could Vueling about to be starting Liverpool flights?

Their website is showing Liverpool, then when selected, Barcelona. No flights at all are showing at this time, though.

This indicates it could be some form of one off charter, as it's not showing any connection opportunities like full time routes.

One to watch!

[vctr]

Just to add, Liverpool doesn't seem to have made it onto the home page booking option yet. If you search for an operating route, say, LGW-BCN, then click 'new search' Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle all appear.

[ronturner]

An interesting observation, and my first thought was to express doubt; Vueling having just announced a programme from Manchester.
However I decided to check it out before pressing the post button, to find a programme to Barcelona in 2016, Sun, Wed, Fri at various times. Possible also to book from other cities and more destinations in Spain from those cities, but looks like a good new string to our bow.
WOW!

(Or perhaps WOW will be next.....)

Well done VCTR.

[bonner]

It appears that you can now book flights between Liverpool and Barcelona between 27th March and 14th September 2016. They operate Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Just beat me to it, Ron!

[viscount]

Veuling Airlines are based at Barcelona, with a number of hubs around Europe, serving 155 destinations. They commenced operations in 2004, and are now (since 2013) part of the IAG Group (Iberia/BAW/Aer Lingus/Veuling) and operate separately from Iberia.

A starting point for information about Veuling as an airline: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vueling

Their fleet is stated to stand (August 2015) at: 91 Airbus A.320 (with 36 on order) these are in a 180 seat one-class capacity layout, although the newest have 186 seats. They also operate 5 Airbus A.319 (with 4 more on order) and 5 Airbus A.321s.

[khardwk]

Very exciting, but eerie!

I just searched for the Vueling home page and when it opened it already had 'Liverpool' inserted in the booking enquiry!! Said, "Flying from: Liverpool"

How did it know??

Also one page said, "Flying from Liverpool to:......" and listed at least 60 different destinations!

Very eerie, but exciting!!

[jackg]

Schedules as follows:

Wed/Fri BCN 12:10 -13:45 LPL, LPL 14:25 - 17:40 BCN
Sun BCN 07:25 - 09:00 LPL, LPL 09:40 - 12:55 BCN

Fares start at £70 return. Great coup for Liverpool! It's also a third airline on the BCN route and could be considered a third hub route, given the onward connections.

[glynmon]

Spotted it earlier. No official mention anywhere yet, but interesting that the booking site is up and running before there's any announcement. And you're right, jackg, it is another potential hub route. Isn't Vueling also part of ICA or whatever they're called: the BA/Iberia parent company?

[kuga59]

They are also launching flights from Newcastle (3x) and Leeds (2x)
Manchester have (4x)
Liverpool are doing well.
Manchester departures are at 15 .30

[viscount]

The news is now out and official. no comment or editing from me, just copied & pasted direct from the LJLA website 'news' section:

Spanish Airline Vueling announce new flights from LJLA

Spanish airline Vueling, part of the International Airlines Group (IAG) that includes British Airways, has today announced that it is to commence a three times weekly scheduled service from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) to their base in Barcelona, starting in March 2016.
With the launch of Vueling flights, this will be the fifth new airline to announce services from LJLA in the last twelve months, taking the number of airlines operating at the airport to nine.

The service will commence on 27 March 2016, departing on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and operate year round. Flights will depart from Liverpool at 14:25 and return flights departing from Barcelona at 12:10 on Wednesday’s and Fridays. On Sunday flights will depart Liverpool at 09:40 and Barcelona at 07:25. The schedule will suit both leisure and business passengers alike giving travellers the opportunity to spend either a weekend or a working week in Barcelona. Flights are now on sale at www.vueling.com

Vueling is the largest airline serving the main Barcelona El Prat Airport, and operate almost 300 routes to over 130 cities in Europe, Middle East and Africa, with ninety Airbus 320 aircraft.

Andrew Cornish, CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented, “This is more fantastic news for LJLA and the Liverpool City Region with another airline to add to our expanding list of operators. This further adds to our growing reputation amongst Europe’s major airlines as a gateway not only to Liverpool but the wider North West market.”

[ametyst]

I understand that both British Airways and Iberia will be code-sharing on the Vueling service from Liverpool.

[ronturner]

Not to take away from any of the other announcements recently, but the addition of this well respected airline is really good news. The future potential is enormous. Another airline seemingly cooling in enthusiasm on certain flights to Spain might have something to think about. Long term maybe, but a great start.

[LPL]

Bet they, Ryanair, refocus on Liverpool now.

[ametyst]

It is easyJet who has really left a gap in the market. They used to be twice daily from Liverpool to Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Malaga, Nice, Palma and Paris,and up to 5 daily to Amsterdam for instance.

[robaero]

Brilliant news . I wonder if the Ryanair or Easyjet are worried yet, might make them up their game.