History
Vueling Airlines was founded in 2004 by Carlos Muñoz and Lázaro Ros, two former executives of the Spanish airline Clickair. The airline began operations in July of that year with two Airbus A320 aircraft, flying between Barcelona and Ibiza. The airline’s name, “Vueling,” is derived from the Spanish word “vuelo,” meaning “flight.”
In 2009, Vueling merged with Clickair to form the largest low-cost carrier in Spain. In 2013, International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, acquired Vueling Airlines. Since then, Vueling has continued to expand its network, fleet, and services, becoming one of the leading low-cost airlines in Europe.
Fleet
Vueling’s fleet consists of more than 100 aircraft, including Airbus A319, A320, and A321 models. The airline has one of the youngest fleets in Europe, with an average age of fewer than seven years. Vueling’s aircraft are configured with both economy and premium economy seats, with the latter offering additional legroom and other amenities.
Operational bases
Vueling operates from several operational bases throughout Europe. The airline positions its aircraft and crew to operate its flights in these bases. As of September 2021, Vueling’s operational bases were:
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) in Barcelona, Spain
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome, Italy
Florence Airport (FLR) in Florence, Italy
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, France
Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) in Paris, France
Asturias Airport (OVD) in Asturias, Spain
Bilbao Airport (BIO) in Bilbao, Spain
Valencia Airport (VLC) in Valencia, Spain
Malaga Airport (AGP) in Malaga, Spain
Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Destinations
The airline’s primary hub is Barcelona-El Prat Airport, but it also operates flights from other Spanish airports, including Madrid-Barajas Airport and Bilbao Airport, as well as several international airports, such as Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
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It offers domestic and international flights, with popular destinations including London, Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam. The airline also operates flights to several smaller regional airports, making it a popular choice for those looking for lesser-known destinations.
Culture and benefits for pilots
Vueling allows pilots to enjoy a good company culture and provides multiple benefits.
Besides a competitive compensation package, including a base salary, bonuses, and other incentives, Vueling offers health insurance, retirement plans, and travel perks. These benefits may vary depending on the pilot’s employment status (e.g., full-time vs. part-time) and country of origin.
Vueling also provides its pilots with ongoing training and development opportunities, both on the ground and in the air. This includes access to state-of-the-art simulators and training facilities, as well as regular check-ins with experienced mentors and supervisors.
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Overall, pilots for Vueling can expect to work in a dynamic and innovative environment with a strong emphasis on safety and customer service. Safety, diversity, and teamwork are the core values it always sticks to.
Pilot salaries
The salary of a pilot at Vueling Airlines can vary depending on several factors, such as experience, rank, and seniority. However, according to information available online, a First Officer at Vueling Airlines earns an average monthly salary of around €3,500 to €4,000, while a Captain can earn between €9,000 and €10,000 per month. It’s important to note that these figures are just estimates and may not reflect the current salary structure at Vueling. Additionally, the salaries may vary based on the pilot’s location and base.
Recent news and developments
Vueling is an airline that continuously grows and expands. Below are some of the recent news and developments the airline pursued.
Expansion of routes: In July 2021, Vueling announced that it was adding 20 new routes to its summer 2021 schedule, including flights to destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini, Ibiza, and Menorca.
New aircraft: In June 2021, Vueling took delivery of its first Airbus A320neo aircraft. The A320neo is a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly version of the popular A320 family of aircraft.
Carbon offset program: In May 2021, Vueling launched a new carbon offset program in collaboration with the nonprofit organization ClimateTrade. The program allows passengers to offset the carbon emissions from their flights by supporting renewable energy and reforestation projects.
Vueling cadet program at BAA Training
If you wish to become a commercial pilot and fly the A320 family, Vueling can be your perfect choice. BAA Training currently runs a Vueling cadet program which you can join with no previous flight experience and finish as a licensed and type-rated pilot ready to take a First Officer’s seat in the flight deck of the Vueling’s aircraft.
You can choose one of the two training options: theory virtually and then flight training in Spain or all the training phases in Spain. Studying theory remotely allows you to avoid traveling abroad and accommodation expenses, as well as have more time for your hobbies and family. However, the overall duration of the course will be 22 months in this case, as opposed to 18 months if you do theory in class in Lleida-Alguaire, Spain.
To apply for this program, you should go through the BAA Training assessment and get interviewed by Vueling before you can begin as a cadet. However, if you pass all the assessment parts, you will be guaranteed a job at Vueling from day one of your training. Of course, you must demonstrate corresponding study performance results, but with motivation and determination, everything is possible!
Hopefully, after reading this article, you are more familiar with Vueling, and it will be easier to decide if you would like to train as a pilot for this airline. If you want to explore more cadet programs with BAA Training, please visit this page.
