Vueling Flight Cancellation Compensation

Vueling flight cancellation refund.

Vueling flight cancellation compensation. What is the difference between compensation and refund? Which can you get? Is it possible to get both? How much is compensation? These are the questions we are going to discuss in this article. There are a number of reasons why airlines cancel their flights. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a refund from Vueling and compensation up to €600.

In case of Vueling, it applies to most of its flights to and from the EU.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Vueling Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Vueling flight is cancelled?

Will Vueling provide you with a new flight ticket for free? Can you get flight cancellation refund instead? Are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation? 

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to Vueling flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, as long as your Vueling flight meets these criteria:

• Cancellation is due to the fault of Vueling;
• It’s a last-minute flight cancellation (not earlier than 14 days before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe (including the EEA and the UK).

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, terrorism threat, security issues at the airport, civil or political unrest, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation. These events are out of the airline’s control.

What about strikes? For example, Vueling strikes are not extraordinary circumstances. Airline staff strikes are considered the airline’s fault.

If you are claiming compensation on your own, double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling the truth. To avoid paying compensation, airlines often refuse compensation claims, even if compensation is due. The airline might state that your flight was cancelled due to “extraordinary circumstances”, even if it wasn’t. Be prepared for that. Always ask for proof.

Or hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

1.2 Right to Care

Your Vueling flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight. If the waiting time is at least 3 hours, you have a right to care from the airline. What does it mean for you?

Vueling must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered. It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

These requirements are in place to ensure that passengers are not left stranded and without access to basic necessities during a delay (or last-minute cancellation).

1.3 Vueling Flight Cancellation Refund, Vueling Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

These rules aren’t affected by Vueling internal policies (Vueling refund policy). According to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled, Vueling mustoffer you a choice between a new flight (for free) or a full refund. It applies to most Vueling flight cancellations. Including flights cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances.

A refund must be paid within 7 days to the customer’s bank account.

You don’t have to agree to a Vueling voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your Vueling flight.

2. How to Claim Vueling Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Vueling flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Vueling directly. Write an email to the airline and request cancelled flight compensation. Alternatively, you can use the chat on Vueling’s website to contact the customer centre and ask for compensation. Make sure you refer to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and mention your rights. It might take a while until you get Vueling flight compensation.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is done by a flight compensation company. Register your Vueling compensation claim by filling in one form. The company’s legal professionals will do the rest on your behalf and without your involvement. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• Your Vueling Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
• Your Vueling Refund Is Taking Forever? Here’s Your Plan of Action

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

The time it takes to complete a compensation claim can depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the case and the responsiveness of the airline or other party responsible for providing compensation.

For example, if a passenger’s claim is straightforward and there is clear evidence that the airline is at fault, the claim may be resolved more quickly than a more complex case where liability is less clear. Additionally, if the airline is responsive and cooperative in providing information or making an offer of compensation, the process may be completed more quickly.

On the other hand, if there are multiple parties involved, such as in cases where the flight was operated by a partner airline or there were multiple connecting flights, the process may take longer to resolve. Likewise, if the airline disputes the passenger’s claim or the passenger does not provide sufficient evidence to support their claim, the process may take longer to complete.

In general, the length of time it takes to complete a compensation claim can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances involved.

However, most people get compensation after a few months.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The European Union Regulation 261/2004 establishes a set of rules regarding air passenger rights, including compensation for flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.

According to this regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros, depending on the distance of the flight.

Here is how you can calculate your Vueling compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

This tiered system is in place to ensure that passengers are fairly compensated based on the length and complexity of their journey. It also provides a clear and consistent set of guidelines for airlines to follow when determining compensation amounts.

3.1 Vueling Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a Vueling voucher?

What if Vueling offers you a voucher instead of compensation or flight cancellation refund? You don’t have to accept any vouchers or discounts. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

Don’t accept vouchers and ask for a bank transfer.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Vueling flight is cancelled?

As a passenger, you have certain rights and options when your flight is cancelled.

If your Vueling flight is cancelled, first of all, wait for the email from the airline. The email will contain all the necessary information about replacement flight options and flight cancellation refund. Follow the instructions to book a new flight or get a refund from the airline. If you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, wait for the announcement from the airline. There will be a new flight. 

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. If you choose a refund, keep in mind that you will receive it within 7 days. It has to be paid to your bank account. 

If your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure, and the disruption is due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation from Vueling. 

If you are stranded at the airport in the event of a last-minute cancellation, you have a right to care. This means, you are entitled to free meals, refreshments, and, if the wait is overnight, a free hotel stay.

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for a connecting flight?

A connecting flight is a flight that requires passengers to change planes at an intermediate airport on their way to their final destination. Unlike a direct flight, a connecting flight involves disembarking from one plane and boarding another in order to complete the journey. Connecting flights can be used for several reasons, including to reach destinations that are not served by direct flights, to take advantage of lower fares, or to break up long journeys into more manageable segments.

What if you miss your Vueling connecting flight?

Even though Vueling is a low-cost airline, it offers protected connecting flights. If you have booked a Vueling connection as a single booking, under one booking reference number, it’s a protected connecting flight. You don’t have to worry about missing a connection in this case. Vueling will book you on a new flight for free.

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), it’s your responsibility. Even if these are separately-booked Vueling flights. If you haven’t booked your flights under one booking reference, Vueling is not responsible for your missed connecting flight. You will need to buy a new ticket. Travel insurance might cover the costs, though. 

Vueling Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Vueling Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Vueling flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Vueling compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.