Aviation News – Barcelona-based low-cost carrier Vueling has pushed back the entry into service of its new Boeing 737 MAX fleet to the first half of 2027 due to protracted seat certification delays.
The postponement follows ongoing issues regarding the certification process for the RECARO seats scheduled to be fitted onboard the upcoming aircraft. Vueling, a low-cost subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG), confirmed it remains in active discussions with the seat manufacturer to resolve the bottleneck. However, resolving the compliance and approval procedures is expected to take several months, adding another setback to the carrier’s timeline.
The delayed induction represents a major bump in IAG’s multi-year fleet assignment strategy. Vueling was originally allocated 50 aircraft from the mega-order of 150 B737 MAX jets placed by IAG at the 2019 Paris Air Show, comprising 50 firm orders and 100 options. In May 2026, IAG expanded Vueling’s share to 60 aircraft after exercising 10 additional options.
Historically an exclusive Airbus A320 family operator, Vueling is slated to undergo a multi-year transition toward an all-Boeing fleet. The initial batch joining the fleet will feature the high-density B737 MAX 8-200 variant, fitted with a 197-seat cabin configuration that delivers eight more seats than Vueling’s current 189-seat A320s. Larger B737 MAX 10 variants will follow later, pending type certification anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“We are working closely with RECARO to resolve these certification timelines and ensure our fleet meets all required operational standards,” stated an airline representative regarding the delay. “While this extends our induction phase, our commitment to modernizing our operational fleet remains fully on track.”
The delay leaves Vueling reliant on its existing Airbus narrowbody fleet through late 2026 and early 2027 to cover core European routes. Once cabin approvals are finalized and deliveries commence, the higher-density MAX 8-200 and MAX 10 models are expected to lower unit costs and significantly boost capacity across the carrier’s dense short-haul network.
