It's hard to find someone who has never dreamed of traveling. Discovering new countries and other cultures is exactly what is sometimes so lacking in the daily hustle and bustle. But if even 100 years ago the road to a neighboring city often presented difficulties, now getting to anywhere in the world will not be a big problem. The fastest and most comfortable trips are possible thanks to the aviation industry, where the low-cost airline Volotea has been holding leading positions among the world's low-cost airlines for several years in a row.
About company
Volotea was founded in 2021 by the former founders of Vueling, Carlos Muñoz and Lazaro Ros. The name "Volotea" comes from the Spanish verb revolotear, which means "to fly."
The first flight took place on April 5, 2021 from Venice Marco Polo Airport. Today, the company's operations are supported by three private funds: two European (Axis Participaciones Empresariales and Corpfin Capital) and one from the United States (CCMP Capital).
As of September 2021, Volotea Airlines has carried 14 million passengers since its first flight. At the end of 2021, the figures are expected to increase by another 4.7 million.
This year, Volotea employs 875 people. Compared to the previous year, the state has increased by more than 150 positions, and in 2021 it is planned to create another 250 additional jobs.
TripAdvisor Travelers' Select 2021 selected Volotea as the best airline based in France, Italy and Spain in the Europe Regional and Low Cost category. According to experts, Volotea's turnover in 2021 will be about 360 million euros, which will be 72 million euros more than last year's figures.
According to monthly statistics published by the leading independent airline agency FlightStats, Volotea flights arrive on time 80% of the time.
In addition, it ranks among the airlines with the lowest number of flight cancellations in the world.
Thus, the level of regularity of routes last year reached 99.9%. Of the 44,500 flights flown in 2021, only 49 were canceled. At the same time, the average occupancy rate on flights is about 86%.
Route network of the airline
The airline's flights connect 78 medium and small cities in 13 European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Czech Republic, Albania, Portugal, Malta, Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg.
In addition to its nine main bases in Venice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Palermo, Strasbourg, Asturias, Verona, Toulouse and Genoa, management has opened three additional bases in Athens, Bilbao and Marseille this year. Also in the plans for 2021 is the opening of 58 new routes, which will increase the total number of Volotea flights to 293.
Fleet
The airline has 32 aircraft at its disposal. The fleet consists of Boeing 717 and Airbus A319.
More than 45% of flights are expected to be operated by Airbus A319 in 2021.
The management announced plans to phase out the Boeing 717 over several years and completely replace it with the Airbus A319 family aircraft in November 2021. This strategic decision will increase passenger traffic by 20%.
A319 aircraft enable the company to operate long distance routes and penetrate new markets. While the Boeing 717 has a range of 2,500 km, the Airbus A319 can cover 3,500 km.
How is check-in for a Volotea flight?
Checking in for a flight is cheaper and more convenient online. To do this, on the airline's website, go to the “Your booking” section and select “Check-in online”. Then, on the left side of the page, you must enter "Confirmation number" and the passenger's surname or email.
If you have already selected a seat when booking, you can upload your boarding pass at any time from the moment you confirm your booking. In the event that a seat has not been selected, the boarding pass can be loaded at no additional charge from 4 days to 2.5 hours before departure. Online check-in opens 7 days before departure.
If you prefer to check-in at the airport, choose the "Airport check-in" service on the website when booking your tickets - then you will save 50% of the check-in cost. If you do not have printed or electronic boarding passes and have not paid for the airport check-in service, the cost of obtaining them at the check-in counter will be € 30 per ticket.
Most importantly, after each change to your booking, you must download and print a new boarding pass. Any boarding pass printed prior to the change will not be valid at the time of boarding.
Carriage of baggage
For standard baggage weighing up to 20 kg, upon check-in on the airline's website, you will be charged an average of 15 euros. If you do this at the check-in counter at the airport, the cost will increase to 50 euros, and at the boarding gate, the price will reach 60 euros. Fares vary by country of departure, destination and season.
At any time, but not later than 2.5 hours before departure, you can add oversized baggage up to 32 kg to an already made reservation for an additional fee. If you have baggage weighing more than 20 kg, you will have to pay an additional 12 euros for each additional kilogram.
The maximum amount of checked baggage per passenger is five suitcases or items with a total weight of no more than 50 kg.
It is worth noting that the airline has strict rules regarding carry-on baggage. If it exceeds the maximum permissible dimensions and weight (up to 10 kg), you will have to pay 60 euros. More information about fares can be found on the airline's website.
Additional services
On board the aircraft, passengers are offered light snacks, as well as soft and alcoholic drinks upon prior ordering. In addition, the airline has created a unique service for passengers on board its flights. Anyone with a smartphone, laptop or tablet can use it.
The essence of the service is that when connected to the on-board Wi-Fi network, you have access to a huge selection of audiovisual entertainment, which includes films and TV shows, the latest news, children's cartoons, travel guides, video clips, music and other interesting content for different age groups. All of this is available in French, Italian, Spanish and English.
Volotea offers its clients car and hotel booking services in the cities of arrival.
When purchasing tickets, you can choose the Flex fare, which allows you to make an unlimited number of changes to your reservation without paying € 50 per passenger. Flight changes are allowed 4 hours before departure. Without a Flex fare, changes are only allowed 7 days prior to departure.
Purchasing the Combo fare, which includes the Flex fare, will help you save on seat reservations, baggage reservations and many other airline services. This fare is available when purchasing tickets, and the discount for passengers in one booking depends on the country of departure, destination and season.
Bonus program
Until recently, the Supervolotea loyalty program was in effect for the regular customers of the carrier. Its members could accumulate and spend points for the services of the company and partners. Membership in Supervolotea provided customers with special services - priority boarding, exclusive offers and more, which were not available to ordinary passengers.
Now this program has transformed into Megavolotea: for 49.99 euros per year, you can purchase a discount that allows you and four of your friends to save on one booking on each ticket and baggage for a certain period of validity.
Contacts
The company is headquartered in Barcelona, Travessera de Gracia 56, 4ª. 08006.
Phone: +34 93 11 717 77; fax: +34 93 222 07 11.
Email: [email protected].
Email for travel agencies: [email protected].
Official website: http://www.volotea.com/en/service-fees/.
There is no official website in Russian.You can find out all the necessary information in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German or Greek.
Conclusion
Thanks to sustainable development, the young air carrier Volotea has been able to become one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. In 2021 alone, the total passenger traffic of Volotea increased by more than 42%.
Today the company has 12 air bases in different European countries and about 290 routes, which, together with a high level of service and low ticket prices, allows the airline's customers to make the cheapest and most comfortable flights.
