Latest news with #VuelingAirlines
NDTV
31-07-2025
- NDTV
This Woman's Airport Hack To Avoid Rs 20,000 Baggage Fee Has Everyone Cheering
A female passenger has gone viral on TikTok after successfully forcing her suitcase into a carry-on sizer to avoid a baggage fee at a European airport. The incident occurred at the Vueling Airlines counter during her flight from Paris to London. TikTok user Arina (@summermken\_official) shared a video on July 22 showing her determined effort to prove her luggage met size requirements. The clip, which has gathered over 10 million views, shows her pushing her suitcase into the metal checker, leaving airline staff visibly stunned when it fit. "They asked me to place my bag in the checker to confirm it met size requirements," Arina told Newsweek."We had four of the same carry-on luggage and they told me to check three. It seemed that they were just suspicious of the size of my bag since it didn't seem like carry-on luggage." Vueling, a Spanish low-cost airline, is known for strict baggage policies and high fees, charging up to $96 for non-compliant luggage at the airport. Arina's efforts paid off as the suitcase fit tightly into the checker. The surprised staff member reportedly said she must be "very strong," clearly not expecting the bag to fit. TikTok users praised Arina for her determination and criticised the airline's aggressive baggage enforcement. Arina said she had verified that her suitcase complied with Vueling's size rules before traveling. "I was 100 percent sure that it would fit [in the bag checker] as before I bought the luggage, it had the measurements required to do so written in its description, plus I measured it before buying and it fit the standards of the company," she told Newsweek. She described the airline employee's reaction as unexpectedly skeptical. "She seemed quite surprised that the suitcase actually fit, and I got the impression she was disappointed there was no reason to charge us extra," Arina said. "She said, with genuine shock, that I must be very strong to have managed to put it in and pull it out-she clearly didn't expect it to fit at all."
Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Indian Express
France probes airline for anti-semitism after 50 Jewish campers removed from plane over Hebrew songs
Fifty Jewish children and teens were removed from a Spanish flight bound for Paris this week, triggering accusations of antisemitism. French authorities say they are investigating whether the group was ejected because of their religion. The passengers – 44 minors and 8 adults – were part of a summer camp group returning from Valencia to Paris on a Vueling Airlines flight. According to eyewitnesses and participants, the incident began when the children, aged 10 to 15, sang songs in Hebrew while boarding. One 17-year-old, Samson, told AFP that 'one of my friends shouted a word in Hebrew because he was still a bit in holiday-camp mood,' prompting a warning from flight staff. 'We immediately stopped making noise,' he added. Jewish media outlet i24 quoted Karine Lamy, a parent of one of the children, saying, 'the children did nothing wrong. They were simply singing in Hebrew. That was enough to turn them into targets.' Despite that, the group was later removed from the flight. A 21-year-old camp counsellor was arrested, and video of him being handcuffed quickly circulated online. 🚨 NOW: 50 Jewish Children Thrown Off a Plane for Being Jewish Spanish Airline @vueling Video of Violent Jewish Assault in Valencia A Jewish counselor was violently arrested. For protecting children. Jewish children. Fifty of them. Aged 10 to 15. On a summer camp trip. Singing… — Shirion Collective (@ShirionOrg) July 23, 2025 The Shirion Collective, an antisemitism watchdog with over 70,000 followers on X, posted footage of the incident, stating, 'a Jewish counselor was violently arrested. For protecting children. Jewish children.' The group also alleged that crew members called Israel a 'terrorist state' and 'dumped' the children at the airport without parental supervision or protection. Julie Jacob, a lawyer for the camp organiser Club Kineret, announced that a complaint would be filed for 'physical and psychological violence, as well as discrimination on the basis of religion.' Israel's Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, called it 'one of the most severe antisemitic incidents seen recently.' Vueling Airlines has denied that religion played any role. In a statement, the airline said the group was removed for 'highly disruptive behaviour,' including mishandling emergency equipment and interfering with the safety demonstration. The company said its decision was made 'solely to ensure the safety of all passengers.' Spain's Civil Guard confirmed the group's removal but said the agents involved were not aware of the passengers' religious identity. It described the group as French nationals. A spokesperson added that one person had been arrested due to aggressive behaviour. France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said Minister Jean-Noël Barrot personally contacted Vueling's CEO to express 'deep concern' and request a full investigation. The same request was made to Spain's ambassador in France. Vueling has reportedly promised to cooperate with French and Spanish authorities. On Thursday, the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain said Vueling must provide documentary evidence of what happened. The incident also echoes past controversies involving Jewish passengers. In 2022, Lufthansa barred 128 Orthodox Jews from a connecting flight in Germany reportedly after some individuals on the first leg misbehaved. The US Transportation Department fined the airline $4 million for discrimination. In 2019, American Airlines removed a Orthodox Jewish family from a domestic US flight after complaints about body odour — a claim the family denied. Jewish advocacy groups have tied the Vueling incident to a broader rise in antisemitism across Europe. Earlier this month, Spain's Observatory Against Antisemitism documented a 321 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents compared to 2023, most of them linked to the Israel-Gaza war.
Morocco World
04-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Vueling Launches New Direct Flight Between Essaouira and Barcelona
Rabat– Essaouira International Airport welcomed a Vueling Airlines flight from Barcelona on Thursday, marking the inauguration of a brand-new air route connecting the Catalan capital with Morocco's windy city. To celebrate the occasion, airport authorities hosted a ceremony attended by tourism officials, industry operators, and representatives of the Spanish airline, showcasing the growing international appeal of Essaouira as a travel destination. Speaking to MAP, Abdelmounaim Aoutoul, director of Essaouira-Mogador International Airport, hailed the launch of the twice-weekly service as a milestone for the city's air connectivity. 'This new route is a significant addition to our flight offering, reflecting the airport's sustained growth over recent years,' he noted. Passenger traffic at the airport increased by over 28% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, Aoutoul added. Essaouira is currently connected to about ten international destinations, mostly in Europe, alongside a domestic service to Rabat. He also revealed plans to expand connectivity further this summer, with new flights to Nantes in France and Seville in Spain expected to begin in the coming months. Redouane Khane, president of the Provincial Tourism Council, said the direct link with Barcelona is set to inject fresh momentum into Essaouira's tourism sector. 'This new service makes it easier for visitors from Spain and other European markets connected through Barcelona to reach Essaouira directly,' he explained, highlighting the role of the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) and other partners in supporting efforts to strengthen the city's visibility and accessibility abroad. Passengers arriving on the inaugural flight expressed their satisfaction with how much time the convenient route saves, calling it a welcome alternative to longer and more complicated travel itineraries. The launch of this route is part of a broader strategy to enhance access to Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city whose global reputation as a cultural and tourist hub continues to grow. In 2024, Essaouira welcomed a record of over one million tourists, marking exceptional growth that transformed the city from a seasonal destination into a year-round attraction.
