Flying With Vueling: EU Regulation 261/2004 and Regulation UK261

When flying with Vueling, it’s important to understand your rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK Regulation UK261. These laws set out the compensation and assistance passengers are entitled to when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.

Because Vueling operates both within the EU and to the UK, travellers on these routes are protected by the corresponding regulation. Knowing how these rules apply to your journey not only helps you understand what support you’re owed, but also gives you more confidence and control when disruptions occur.

Check your compensation online.

EU Regulation 261/2004 Explained

EC261 (EU Regulation 261/2004) is a cornerstone of EU air passenger rights in Europe.

It sets rules on how airlines must support and compensate travellers when flights don’t go as planned. The regulation is designed to protect passengers from unfair treatment and ensure they receive appropriate assistance during flight disruptions.

Under EC261, you may be entitled to EU flight compensation if your flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure (last-minute flight cancellation), if you are denied boarding due to overbooking, or if your flight arrives at its final destination more than three hours late. These rights apply only when the disruption is caused by the airline and not by “extraordinary circumstances” such as severe weather, political unrest, airport staff strikes, or air traffic control issues.

Importantly, EC261 covers flights operated by EU carriers, as well as non-EU airlines departing from an EU airport. Your nationality doesn’t matter — protection is based on the airline and route, not the passenger. This means anyone can claim compensation as long as the flight falls under EC261’s jurisdiction.

Flight compensation amounts vary depending on flight distance and range from €250 to €600 per passenger. In addition to financial compensation, airlines must also provide assistance such as meals, refreshments, communication access, and accommodation when required.

Here is a quick overview of the possible compensation amount you may receive:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

Regulation UK261

Regulation UK261 is the United Kingdom’s version of the EU air passenger rights law that came into effect after Brexit. When the UK left the European Union, it adopted EU Regulation 261/2004 into domestic law, creating UK Regulation 261/2004 (UK261) to ensure passengers flying to, from, or within the UK continue to receive similar protections.

Under Regulation UK261, travellers are entitled to UK flight compensation and assistance when their flights are delayed, cancelled, or they are denied boarding due to overbooking—provided the disruption is within the airline’s control.

The rules apply to flights departing from the UK on any airline, as well as flights arriving in the UK on a UK-based carrier, regardless of the passenger’s nationality. Compensation amounts are set in British pounds rather than euros, but the structure mirrors EU261, offering strong and predictable protections for passengers travelling through the UK.

You’re covered (no change):

• Flight delay compensation – If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more,
• Flight cancellation compensation – If your flight is cancelled last-minute (within 2 weeks of departure),
• Denied boarding compensation – If you’re denied boarding due to overbooking.

You also have the right to care from the airline in certain situations.

When Regulation EU261 and Regulation UK261 Apply: All Vueling Flight Scenarios Explained

Understanding when you’re protected under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) and UK Regulation UK261 is essential for knowing your rights if your Vueling flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. These regulations don’t apply to every route — protection depends on where your flight starts and which airline operates it.

Below is an overview of the different scenarios you may encounter when flying with Vueling and when each regulation applies:

• EU → EU: Fully covered under EU261.
• EU → UK: Covered under EU261.
• EU → Third Country: Covered under EU261.
• UK → EU: Covered under UK261.
• UK → UK: Covered under UK261.
• UK → Third Country: Covered under UK261.
• Third Country → EU: Covered under EU261 because Vueling is an EU carrier.
• Third Country → UK: Covered under UK261 because Vueling is an EU carrier operating into the UK.

EU261 and UK261: Understanding Your Air Passenger Rights

Right to a Refund

If your flight is cancelled for any reason (including extraordinary circumstances), you’re entitled to request a full refund for the affected journey. This refund also covers any extras or fees you paid during the booking process.

Right to a New Flight

You can choose to be rebooked on the next available flight, or on a later date that suits you, depending on seat availability. This new flight can be with a different airline, not just Vueling.

Right to Care

During long delays or cancellations, the airline must provide:

• Meals and refreshments
• Free communication (email, calls)
• Hotel accommodation (if an overnight stay is required)
• Transport between the airport and hotel

Right to EU/UK Flight Compensation (When the Airline Is Responsible for the Disruption)

Three main flight compensation types:

• Flight delay compensation – If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more (delay is calculated upon arrival),
• Flight cancellation compensation – If your flight is cancelled last-minute (within 2 weeks of departure),
• Denied boarding compensation – If you’re denied boarding due to flight overbooking.

Compensation amounts depend on flight distance and range from €250/£220 to €600/£520.

Compensation is owed when the disruption is within the airline’s control — such as technical issues, crew shortages, Vueling staff strikes, operational problems, or most scheduling errors.

Right to Assistance During Denied Boarding

If you’re denied boarding due to overbooking, you must be offered rerouting or a refund, plus care and compensation.

Right to Information

Airlines must clearly inform passengers about their rights and provide written notice when a disruption occurs.

Right to Downgrade Compensation

If you’re placed in a lower class than what you paid for, you’re entitled to 30–75% of the ticket price refunded for that leg. This is more common on full-service airlines.

Read more: Vueling Flight Downgrade Compensation

Air Passenger Rights (EU261 & UK261) in Extraordinary Circumstances

When a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances — situations outside the airline’s control such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, political instability, airport strikes, or security issues — airlines are not required to pay financial compensation under EU261 or UK261.

However, this does not remove all passenger rights. Even during extraordinary circumstances, you are still entitled to the right to care, which includes meals, refreshments, communication access, and hotel accommodation when necessary. You also maintain your right to choose between a full refund or re-routing on the next available flight.

In short, while compensation is not owed, the airline must still look after you and ensure you reach your destination or receive your money back.

Do you have any questions or thoughts about the EU Regulation 261/2004 and Regulation UK261? Share it in the comments below!

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