Vueling, the Barcelona-based low-cost subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG), will have to wait to induct its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into service, with the carrier reportedly pushing the date back to the first half of 2027.
According to Spanish media reports, the postponement, which adds to other prior delays, is due to the protracted certification process of the RECARO seats which are expected to be fitted onboard. Vueling has confirmed it is in conversation with RECARO to solve the issue, although the delay is expected to take several months.
Vueling was initially allocated 50 aircraft from the mega-order IAG placed at the 2019 Paris Air Show for 150 B737 MAX aircraft (which included 50 firm orders and 100 options). In May 2026, this figure was increased to 60 aircraft after IAG exercised 10 of those options.
Although it has always exclusively operated Airbus A320 family aircraft, Vueling is expected to transition to an all-Boeing fleet over a period of several years.
According to ch-aviation data, as of September 2, 2026, Vueling has a fleet of 137 aircraft, the majority of which (97 aircraft) are A320ceos, but also includes several A320neo, A321 (both neo and ceo) and A319 aircraft.
The initial batch of B737 aircraft set to join the Vueling fleet is expected to be of the MAX 8-200 version, fitted with a 197-seat cabin, which offers eight more seats than the current 189-seat A320 configuration. The B737 MAX 10 (of which IAG has at least 25 on order) will join the fleet at a later stage, with the timeframe dependent on type certification. The latter is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Vueling’s first commercial B737 MAX flight was scheduled for December 2026, on the Barcelona (BCN) to Alicante (ALC) route, with services linking the Catalan capital to Sevilla (SVQ), Palma de Mallorca (PMI) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) following suit. This flight program is now subject to change since the MAX entry into service will likely take place at a different time of the year.
Delayed seat certification has become an issue for a number of European airlines recently. For example, Lufthansa has had to fly some aircraft without its new flagship Allegris First Class seats and KLM is expected to start flying its new Airbus A350 aircraft without a business class due to this issue.