My issue is that I am planning some Spanish local flights on Vueling and Air Nostrum under Iberian flight numbers (to take advantage of One World Sapphire benefits) but my travel agent is unable to identify seat allocations when booking through Iberian. Given the ordinary reviews of these LCCs I was hoping to secure extra legroom seats but I am facing the horror (!) of putting up with whatever seat I get allocated on check-in.
Does anyone know a hack that would enable me to get good seats on these carriers?
You won't get OW benefits if its Vueling under IB flight numbers (I found this out in Sept). You will have to do seat selection online. I think your ticket should provide the "other airline" booking code, look closely or ask your travel agent for it then you can log in via the Vueling website. Otherwise log into the IB manage your booking and see if you can send yourself the itinerary and it might be on there. Mine was on the itinerary IB sent me. Otherwise call them (use skype, it's cheap).
Vueling isn’t a member of one world so even though you are under an IB flight number the operator isn’t. You can buy premium upgrades which gives you priority boarding etc. don’t expect much from them though. There is no lounge access.
Make sure in your IB fare, baggage is included.
if you have priority pass you can use lounges in most Spanish airports.
@BCTraveller - please note that Air Nostrum is not an LCC. It is an independently owned carrier which operates regional franchise routes in association with Iberia. It is also an Iberia oneworld Alliance partner.
It operates both a Business and Economy cabin on many of it's flights - however, food and beverage service in Economy is offered on a BOB (buy onboard) standard, as is the domestic / regional standard on such oneworld carriers as American Airlines and British Airways. As stated above, seat selection should be available through the Iberia website.
Thanks very much @kimshep for the clarification. I have now arranged all domestic flights on Air Nostrum or Iberia Express.
Do you have any strong views about whether Business class is worth it on these carriers? (The flights are around 70-90 minutes.)
I don't have any strong feelings regarding regional / domestic Business class within Europe, unless you are chasing higher status credits. My personal feeling is that for short flights ie: under 3 hours, the European Business class proposition is rarely justified, since you're not on widebody aircraft and the timespan for inflight service provision is not that large. However, you benefit from higher luggage allowances and lounge access (which as a o/w Gold / Sapphire you already have) that may be important. Others may see things in a different light.
For 70-90 min Air Nostrum flights, you'll find yourself on either CRJ-900, 1000 or -200 or alternatively ATR72-600. All are 2x2 seating and are reasonably comfortable.
I can only add that Air Nostrum is an excellent airline usually superior in service, attitude and efficency to main line Iberia. It’s based in Valencia but does tourism promotions with many of the local regions. Very wise to have changed bookings from Vueling.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Query re seat selection on Iberia/Vueling
BCTraveller
BCTraveller
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 23
My issue is that I am planning some Spanish local flights on Vueling and Air Nostrum under Iberian flight numbers (to take advantage of One World Sapphire benefits) but my travel agent is unable to identify seat allocations when booking through Iberian. Given the ordinary reviews of these LCCs I was hoping to secure extra legroom seats but I am facing the horror (!) of putting up with whatever seat I get allocated on check-in.
fatty
fatty
Member since 24 Feb 2015
Total posts 62
You won't get OW benefits if its Vueling under IB flight numbers (I found this out in Sept). You will have to do seat selection online. I think your ticket should provide the "other airline" booking code, look closely or ask your travel agent for it then you can log in via the Vueling website. Otherwise log into the IB manage your booking and see if you can send yourself the itinerary and it might be on there. Mine was on the itinerary IB sent me. Otherwise call them (use skype, it's cheap).
BCTraveller
BCTraveller
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 23
Thanks very much. Can I please confirm that you got no lounge access or points on Vueling under an Iberian flight number?
StuParr
StuParr
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 01 Mar 2012
Total posts 203
Vueling isn’t a member of one world so even though you are under an IB flight number the operator isn’t. You can buy premium upgrades which gives you priority boarding etc. don’t expect much from them though. There is no lounge access.
BCTraveller
BCTraveller
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 23
Thanks very much for replies. (I feared no-one would have anything to offer on this topic.)
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
@BCTraveller - please note that Air Nostrum is not an LCC. It is an independently owned carrier which operates regional franchise routes in association with Iberia. It is also an Iberia oneworld Alliance partner.
It operates both a Business and Economy cabin on many of it's flights - however, food and beverage service in Economy is offered on a BOB (buy onboard) standard, as is the domestic / regional standard on such oneworld carriers as American Airlines and British Airways. As stated above, seat selection should be available through the Iberia website.
BCTraveller
BCTraveller
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 23
Thanks very much @kimshep for the clarification. I have now arranged all domestic flights on Air Nostrum or Iberia Express.
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
I don't have any strong feelings regarding regional / domestic Business class within Europe, unless you are chasing higher status credits. My personal feeling is that for short flights ie: under 3 hours, the European Business class proposition is rarely justified, since you're not on widebody aircraft and the timespan for inflight service provision is not that large. However, you benefit from higher luggage allowances and lounge access (which as a o/w Gold / Sapphire you already have) that may be important. Others may see things in a different light.
For 70-90 min Air Nostrum flights, you'll find yourself on either CRJ-900, 1000 or -200 or alternatively ATR72-600. All are 2x2 seating and are reasonably comfortable.
BCTraveller
BCTraveller
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 23
Good on you kimshep, that seems very sensible to me.
paulkaz
paulkaz
Member since 01 Mar 2011
Total posts 32
I can only add that Air Nostrum is an excellent airline usually superior in service, attitude and efficency to main line Iberia. It’s based in Valencia but does tourism promotions with many of the local regions. Very wise to have changed bookings from Vueling.