VOLOTEA Airways (ICAO: VOE) is a Spanish low-cost airline known for connecting small and medium-sized European cities.
VOLOTEA was established in 2011 by Carlos Muñoz and Lázaro Ros, who previously co-founded Vueling, and commenced operations on April 5, 2012. The airline's business model focuses on offering direct flights to underserved markets and regional connections across Europe. Its registered office is in Castrillón, Spain, with headquarters in Barcelona.
The airline operates from 21 bases throughout Europe as of December 2023. These include key operational bases such as Asturias, Athens, Bari, Bilbao, Bordeaux, Brest, Florence, Hamburg, Lille, Lourdes, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Rodez, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Venice, and Verona.
VOLOTEA initially operated Boeing 717 aircraft but transitioned to an all-Airbus fleet, phasing out the Boeing 717s by January 2021. As of August 2025, its fleet consists of 41 Airbus aircraft, including 17 Airbus A319-100s and 24 Airbus A320-200s. The airline's network spans over 420 routes, with more than half being exclusive, connecting over 100 cities in 18 countries, primarily within Europe. As of November 2025, it serves 25 domestic and 84 international destinations across 17 countries. VOLOTEA is not a member of any major airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld.
As a low-cost carrier, VOLOTEA primarily offers economy-only flights. Notable services include the "Megavolotea" and "Megavolotea Plus" loyalty programs, which provide subscribers with benefits such as discounted fares, baggage allowances, and priority services. The airline's Airbus fleet features an onboard entertainment service, and it is recognized for offering seats that are 5% wider than the average found on other European airlines.
Traveler reviews for VOLOTEA Airways highlight both positive aspects and areas for improvement.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall Sentiment Summary: While VOLOTEA is often lauded for its affordable fares, comfortable seating, and pleasant in-flight service, particularly for regional connections, passenger satisfaction is frequently impacted by strict baggage policies and perceived shortcomings in customer service regarding refunds and flight changes.
VOLOTEA Airways maintains a strong safety profile, consistently adhering to international aviation safety standards.
The airline holds a 7/7 safety rating from AirlinesRatings.com in 2025 and has not experienced any fatal accidents or crashes in the last 14 years. While its overall safety record is strong, some incidents have been reported, including an engine shutdown during a flight in June 2022, a rejected takeoff due to a bird strike in November 2021, and a hydraulic leak with smoke in the cabin in September 2023. A tragic incident occurred in July 2025 at Milan Bergamo Airport, where a ground worker was fatally struck by a VOLOTEA A319 engine during taxiing operations. An earlier event in May 2018 involved a Boeing 717 catching fire upon boarding.
VOLOTEA has successfully renewed its IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification through 2027. This certification, a benchmark in the airline industry, ensures compliance with approximately 940 international safety and operational quality requirements, overseen by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In April 2024, VOLOTEA became the first regular operating airline to receive full approval for its Safety Management System (SMS) from the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), ahead of new EASA regulations, signifying a high level of self-managed maintenance and safety oversight. VOLOTEA is not listed on the EU Air Safety List, which bans or restricts unsafe carriers from European airspace.
The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet of A319s and A320s. The average age of its fleet is cited to be 10-15 years. VOLOTEA manages its own maintenance, supported by a team of 42 highly trained and certified aeronautical mechanics, further enhancing its maintenance reputation.
Overall, VOLOTEA's safety assessment based on available data is positive. The airline demonstrates a deep commitment to operational safety, evidenced by its high safety ratings, continuous IOSA certification, and proactive Safety Management System approvals.
VOLOTEA has received several prestigious safety and quality awards. It was recognized by Skytrax as the "Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe" at the 2023 and 2024 World Airline Awards. Additionally, it has been named "Europe's Leading Low-Cost Airline" at the World Travel Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2024, and achieved a four-star rating from Skytrax in 2024 for its enhanced customer experience and cabin safety.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLB → FCO |
Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
|
117 | 155 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LDE → ORY |
Paris Orly
Orly (near Paris)
|
80 | 400 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SXB → TLS |
Toulouse-Blagnac
Blagnac
|
69 | 453 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SXB → NCE |
Nice Cote d'Azur
Nice
|
66 | 338 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| VRN → OLB |
Olbia-Costa Smeralda
Olbia
|
56 | 319 mi | A320 | Oct 2, 2025 |
| SXB → BOD |
Bordeaux-Merignac
Bordeaux/Merignac
|
54 | 471 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LIL → TLS |
Toulouse-Blagnac
Blagnac
|
49 | 486 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| NTE → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
49 | 569 mi | A319 | Nov 2, 2025 |
| GOA → ORY |
Paris Orly
Orly (near Paris)
|
45 | 429 mi | A320 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| OVD → SVQ |
San Pablo
Sevilla
|
43 | 425 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FSC → NTE |
Nantes Atlantique
Nantes
|
43 | 658 mi | A319 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| NTE → MPL |
Montpellier
Mediterranee
|
41 | 367 mi | A319 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| SXB → MRS |
Marseille Provence
Marseille
|
40 | 371 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OVD → ALC |
Alicante
Alicante / Benidorm / Costa Blanca
|
39 | 464 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| NTE → AJA |
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte
Ajaccio
|
38 | 627 mi | A319 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| AJA → NTE |
Nantes Atlantique
Nantes
|
36 | 627 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SXB → AJA |
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte
Ajaccio
|
35 | 461 mi | A319 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| ORN → MRS |
Marseille Provence
Marseille
|
35 | 623 mi | A320 | Nov 29, 2025 |
| SXB → NTE |
Nantes Atlantique
Nantes
|
35 | 439 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| AJA → BOD |
Bordeaux-Merignac
Bordeaux/Merignac
|
35 | 519 mi | A320 | Nov 7, 2025 |
| OVD → VLC |
Valencia
Manises
|
34 | 402 mi | A319 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| OVD → AGP |
Malaga
Malaga
|
34 | 483 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RNS → MRS |
Marseille Provence
Marseille
|
33 | 464 mi | A320 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| MPL → NTE |
Nantes Atlantique
Nantes
|
33 | 367 mi | A319 | Oct 20, 2025 |
| LIL → NCE |
Nice Cote d'Azur
Nice
|
31 | 515 mi | A320 | Nov 28, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.