- All advantages of current shuttle are maintained as new ones are added to the walk-on service.
- Apart from open tickets, customers will be able to book a flight, but keeping the flexibility of an open ticket.
- Entire process from reservations to issuing of boarding cards can be done online on iberia.com or through Iberia’s smart phone app.
- Customers to use Vueling flights between the two cities with all the advantages of the shuttle service.
- Up to 26 flights each day (16 Iberia and 10 Vueling) will operate, with departures every 15 or 30 minutes at peak times, and hourly throughout the day.
- The changes will take effect in July.
All advantages of current shuttle are maintained as new ones are added to the walk-on service
Iberia has unveiled today its new popular walk-on air shuttle service between Madrid and Barcelona, known as the “Puente Aéreo” (“Air Shuttle”), in which it will maintain existing advantages, while adding flexibility, new facilities for customers, and more flights to choose from, thanks to the agreement reached with Vueling to operate this route jointly.
More Walk-on Options
The changes, to be implemented next July, include the option of making flight reservations in addition to walk-on and pre-paid open tickets. By making reservations, customers are assured of space in the flight in the seats they have selected, and there will be full flexibility for changing reserved flights one or more times without any penalty.
As of July, reservations, ticket purchases, seat selection, changes in flights, and boarding passes can all be obtained online on iberia.com or though the Iberia smart phone app, allowing passengers to head straight to boarding gates when they arrive at the airport, saving time and trouble. Boarding passes can be issued on purchases of reserved seats and up to 24 before flights corresponding to pre-paid open tickets.
Exclusive Spaces
Customers, who haven’t checked-in for their flights online, will be able to do it in the Air Shuttle dedicated area at the airports as late as 15 minutes before flight departure. All Air Shuttle passengers, regardless if they are flying with an open ticket or have made a reservation for an air-shuttle flight, will use the dedicated security controls for the Air Shuttle at Madrid and Barcelona airports, while the aircraft operating the flights will be located at boarding gates near these areas.
Business Class and other premium passengers using the shuttle have easy access to the nearby VIP lounges.
Wider Choice of Flights
Up to 26 flights on weekdays and 13 on weekends from the two airports will be available, thanks to the addition of Vueling’s 10 flights to Iberia’s 16 frequencies in the shuttle service, under an agreement between both airlines to operate jointly the Madrid-Barcelona route.
With the first flights taking off at 06:30 h. and the last at 21:45 h., the two airlines will offer flights every 15 or 30 minutes during peak times and every hour during the rest of the day.
The reservation system will show clearly which of the airlines is operating each flight.
All Air Shuttle flights will be sold under the Iberia flight code and on iberia.com, through Iberia Call Center, in the Air Shuttle ticket offices and travel agencies. Customers will earn Avios on its Iberia Plus card, regardless the airline they will fly with.
Marco Sansavini, Iberia’s Chief Commercial Officer, says:
These changes are aimed at meeting customers’ demands and expectations. We’re keeping all the good bits of the shuttle service, streamlining the walk-on service, and increasing the frequency of flights, and improving the flight schedule, while adding a seat selection option for customers. The joint operation of the two IAG airlines allows us to offer an excellent proposal to our customers.
David Garcia, Vueling Chief Commercial Officer, comments:
“Passengers planning to fly between Barcelona and Madrid, and especially Air Shuttle customers, will see a major expansion of their options thanks to Vueling’s participation in the service. This takes place within the framework of our development plan, aimed chiefly at improving the customer experience.
Improvement in Non-shuttle Services between Barcelona and Madrid
In addition to the changes in the air shuttle programme, Iberia and Vueling will operate their flights between Barcelona and Madrid under a code-share agreement. Together, they will provide their customers with an unbeatable offer on this route, further expanding the offer of flying times and fares.
Passengers on these non-shuttle flights will use the ordinary Iberia and Vueling check-in counters and security control facilities in Madrid’s Terminal 4 and Barcelona’s Terminal 1. Tickets will be sold through all channels, including Vueling.com. Conditions, charges, limitations, and penalties will vary with the fare paid.
Iberia’s and Vueling’ combined offer on the Madrid-Barcelona route, both on Air Shuttle and on conventional flights, will reach up to 26 daily flights on each direction on working days and up to 13 flights during the weekends. This is an unbeatable offer for business and leisure travellers, or those passengers connecting on to other flights from both airlines’ hubs
