Vueling further expands UK route network
13 January 2012
Vueling further expands UK route network
Direct flights to Barcelona from Southampton commence from June 2012.
Vueling, Spain’s leading low fare airline, today announced it is further expanding its UK route network with the introduction of direct flights between Southampton and Barcelona from 23 June 2012. The news comes hot on the heels of an increase in the number of destinations Vueling is offering from Cardiff. The new Southampton route will be operated three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, by Vueling’s Airbus A319 aircraft.
Fares on the Southampton-Barcelona route will start from approximately £58.55 (69.99€) with tickets now available to book via www.vueling.com, travel agents, Vueling’s iPhone application, mobile portal m.vueling.com, and call centre UK number 0906 754 7541. Vueling flights offer a wealth of onward connections via Vueling’s successful Barcelona Hub operations, currently accessing more than 40 destinations throughout Europe and North-Africa, including the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza as well as Malaga, Palma, Rome and Naples, with full through baggage check-in from Southampton to final destination.
“We are delighted to incorporate Southampton in our expanding UK route network,” said Vueling CEO Alex Cruz. “Southampton, with its strong catchment and complementary ties to the cruise lines, is an obvious choice for Vueling as we look to develop our UK presence beyond Heathrow and into the regions. We are pleased that with the arrival of our new smaller A319 aircraft we can introduce this route this summer.”
Welcoming Vueling and the new route, Dave Lees, Managing Director of Southampton Airport said: “Barcelona is a very important new route for Southampton Airport and the surrounding area. We are delighted to be welcoming Vueling in 2012 and the regular flights to Barcelona. We have had many requests for this service from the cruise industry, marine industry, universities and language schools, as well as passengers wanting a city break in Barcelona. Visitors from Spain to the London 2012 sporting events in both London and Weymouth will also find Southampton an ideal starting point with high speed rail links located just seconds from the airport terminal.”
The new route will appeal largely to the leisure traveller keen to explore the cultural and gastronomic delights of Barcelona and those connecting to Barcelona’s cruise port terminal for the start of their Mediterranean cruises. The capital of Catalunya is one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations with cultural attractions varying from Gaudi’s architecture including the Sagrada Familia, to Montjuic which hosts the world’s leading exhibition of surrealist paintings by Jean Miró. Travellers can sample the culinary delights at the Boqueria market and Ferran Adrià inspired restaurants. For night owls, el Born neighbourhood offers everything from boutique restaurants, to chic nightclubs, whilst the Ramblas provides authentic bar experiences. Barcelona’s modern convention centre has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s leading convention venues and is popular with many conference organisers.
Vueling provides a service that mirrors traditional carrier practices including seat selection, options to book through travel agencies, loyalty point’s schemes, an extensive network and premium services. It’s even possible to buy gift vouchers for Vueling flights as special Christmas or birthday gifts.
Business Services created for the executive traveller.
The new Southampton-Barcelona route will be welcomed by business travellers for whom Vueling has created unique features. Its recently launched Duo Seat guarantees a front row double seat and hand luggage space, preferred boarding and online check in at selected airports, free drink and snack. In addition, Vueling’s Go product offers greater flexibility to passengers enabling them to change flights for free up to two hours before departure, provides gratis seat selection and the opportunity to board the flight when desired.
About Vueling
Vueling was created in July 2004 with a fleet of two Airbus A320s, four routes and the objective of providing excellent customer service at a competitive price. During the 2011-2012 winter season, Vueling is operating a 45-strong aircraft fleet serving 44 airports in 13 countries throughout Europe and North Africa. Six of these airports are permanent centres of operations (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Bilbao and Valencia). A seventh, Ibiza, is a base during the summer. In April 2011, Vueling introduced two new international operational centres, Amsterdam and Toulouse, which further contribute to the airline’s international growth strategy.
