Vueling Marrakech to Barcelona

VY 7333
RAK-BCN
A320-200
April 11, 2010
12:05p-4:20p Local Time
Seats 1DF

Surprise, surprise. Five days later and we're back on Vueling, but this time older and wiser.

After a cheaptix email last night alerted me that our RAM-Atlas Blue flight was delayed six hours (to now supposedly arrive BCN @ 2h00 Monday AM ), I decided that the 12h05 VY departure looked pretty good. Again, vueling.com was a breeze, and this time I sprung for the extra 30€ for 1DF, the bulkhead with blocked middle seat. Or so I thought.

Much more attractive views checking in today than in BCN...

Finally our turn, and for whatever reason, the contract check-in agent processed us and handed me our BPs, with 24EF. Right.
SFO: "Qu'est-ce que c'est, 24EF? J'ai payée pour 1DF."
VY Agent: "Un instant, monsieur. Ce n'est pas dans votre reservation. Mais, c'est toujours disponible. Et voila, monsieur."

After converting our Dirhams to Euros, security and passport control, we headed for the departure area. I immediately saw a "Salles VIP" sign and instinctively headed in that direction, Mrs. SFO in tow, to test out one of my elite cards. There are two VIP lounges in T1, presumably one for Royal Air Maroc, although Eva Longoria seemed to be blocking most of the entrance with signage.

The other lounge looked like a contract lounge that airlines rent by the hour. Late morning today, it was the Iberia Lounge, presumably since our flight was an IB codeshare and IB had their own metal RAK-MAD an hour later.

My AA EXP card got us access, although the agent seemed uncertain as he had me write my name and EXP info on a scrap piece of paper. The lounge was smallish with seating for maybe 30 but two new 24" i-Macs with internet access. A small tray of assorted sandwiches and pastries was on the counter (although the trays were completely wrapped) together with Tea (with glasses) and Orange Juice (no glasses apparent anywhere). There was a very limited and lame selection of liquor displayed behind the counter and in the refrigeration units behind the counter. Later during our visit, a more senior agent came over to ask me to show him my card. One look at my EXP card and he seemed quite satisfied. "Merci, monsieur".

Near the VIP lounges, The very attractive Camel Smoking Lounge, complete with fan system. Couldn't smell any smoke as I walked by. Somehow, I doubt you would see this in any US airport.

"Immediate boarding" was announced at T-25. We strolled to the gate for "immediate boarding", which in RAK means standing in the stairwell waiting for the inbound pax to deplane.

As soon as the inbound pax had left the plane, the fuel truck drove up right beside the mobile staircase, prompting me to quip "this ought to be interesting to see if we board right next to the fuel truck". Sure enough, we boarded right next to the fuel truck, Jet-A fumes and all. Clearly, we're not in Kansas, Dorothy.

Seats 1DF or 1AC are the seats to reserve on VY. Reasonable legroom, an open middle and no one reclining into you. Even Mrs. SFO agreed, adding that 1DF was much better than "my" exit row choice on our earlier VY flight.

Today's BOB snack purchase...

Once again, the flight was smooth, on time and we were treating to a great view of Barcelona on our approach. In summary, VY is an excellent short-haul experience and I would not hesitate to fly them again.