Claim window (Spain)
5 years
Escalation body
AESA (Spain)
Check your boarding pass first
Iberia and Vueling are sister companies but legally separate carriers. If you booked with Iberia but the flight was operated by Vueling (or vice versa), your EU261 claim is against the operating carrier — the airline whose code appears on the actual flight number on your boarding pass, not necessarily who sold you the ticket.
Iberia
Spain's flag carrier, strong on Latin American long-haul (Madrid hub). Claims go through Iberia's online Customer Attention form. Known for slow responses (90+ days not rare for complex cases, per passenger reports) and for sometimes offering vouchers instead of cash — you're entitled to insist on cash. If denied, AESA is the enforcement route and typically takes 12-20 weeks but Iberia generally follows its findings.
Vueling
Short/medium-haul focus within Europe, based in Barcelona. Notably one of Europe's more on-time airlines (82%+ on-time rate per 2024 Cirium data), so delay claims are less common — but when disruptions occur, EU261 applies in full. Claims via Vueling's online contact form, referencing EU261 explicitly. AESA is the same escalation path as Iberia.
Verified · checked Jun 2026
Spain's limitation period for EU261 claims is 5 years under the Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil — one of the most generous in Europe. This means flights from as far back as mid-2021 are potentially still claimable. For Iberia flights through Madrid specifically: if your final destination delay was 3+ hours but the individual Madrid leg was on time, EU261 compensation is still owed for the whole journey — the ECJ has consistently upheld the final-destination rule.
Had an Iberia or Vueling delay? Spain's 5-year window means older flights may still qualify.
Check eligibility free — old flights included.
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