Volotea

The first time I flew with Volotea, my luggage was delayed and it took 6 months to receive the compensation on my bank account.
When I flew from Strasbourg to Nice, Volotea informed me less than one month prior to my trip that the dates had to be modified. Instead of flying on the Thursday, I had to fly on the Friday. Either I accepted the changes and could get a voucher of 20% valid for 180 days as a (tiny) compensation or I could cancel my flight all together. I chose to fly anyway and got the voucher.
Recently I booked a flight from Strasbourg to Palermo and I did not see at first where to put the voucher for the payment. I paid anyway and immediately contacted customer care. They told me that it was too late to use the voucher because I already paid.
I will not be able to use my voucher before its expiry date and they refused to make an exception or to send the money to my bank account.

When booking well ahead, Volotea has very good prices but they try to sell you many extras.
Cabin staff is very friendly.
I flew on a modern Airbus A319.
They tend to cancel flights and just refund passengers without proposing a re-routing which is a legal requirement!
Great company when everything is working, and to my mind, bad concerning passengers rights. (regulation EU 261/2004)

My 77 years old grandmother flew with Volotea from Prague to Nantes on 23.12.2015. The 2h15 long flight was delayed by 5 hours. No explanation or refreshments given. The next day Volotea sent an email with a EUR 20,- discount coupon off the next purchase. I like their sense of humor! 🙂

According to EU law, my grandmother is entitled for a full refund of EUR 250,-. After 3 months of email ping-pong with the back office that led nowhere, I took the case to the civil aviation authority. Two months later Volotea suddenly reaches out saying the case has been reviewed and my grandmother is entitled for a EUR 250,- refund. Since May 2016 silence, empty promise from Volotea if I say it politely. I am looking at the next steps such as checking whether the aviation authority can fine Volotea (up to EUR 10.000,-), legal action or one of the claim companies. I will get the money back.

My tip – check your rights and do not let them abuse you or your family:
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

And above all, do not fly with them unless you like problems! 🙂

nice airline, is a low cost so you shouldn’t expect frills, but usually planes are clean, products (which can be purchased onboard) are fresh and crew is amazing, always helpful and smiley. I also think the seat are an inch bigger than other low cost airlines.