Vueling cancels Rome–Split and Dubrovnik routes from Rome

(ROME, ITALY) — Vueling just pulled its nonstop Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik flights from sale for summer 2026, which means your easiest Croatia beach hop may now require a connection. If you were counting on a quick weekend in Dalmatia, you should price alternatives now and lock in a backup before peak-season seats disappear.

Vueling’s move is simple in practice but messy in planning. The carrier has discontinued both Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik starting in summer 2026. Nonstop service from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is effectively gone.

When an airline shows “no flights for sale,” it can sometimes mean a schedule reload is coming. But paired with earlier frequency cuts, this looks like a clean termination.

The good news: Vueling isn’t abandoning Croatia. You’ll still see Vueling to Split and Dubrovnik via Barcelona. You’ll also see a new seasonal Bilbao–Split service. The bad news: connections add time, add misconnect risk, and can complicate bags.

Quick recommendation: book around convenience, not brand

If you’re starting in Rome, a one-stop itinerary via a major hub will usually beat forcing a Vueling connection. You’ll get more frequencies, better protection during disruptions, and often simpler bags.

If you’re Vueling-loyal or chasing the cheapest fare, Barcelona connections can still work. Just build in buffer time and watch the baggage rules.

Side-by-side comparison: your best replacements for Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik (summer 2026)

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re connecting on a low-cost carrier, avoid a self-transfer with checked bags. One missed scan can ruin the day.

Why this matters: summer 2025 was a strong baseline

Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik weren’t ghost routes. Summer 2025 gave travelers a real menu of choices. Vueling flew Rome–Split up to 10 times weekly and Rome–Dubrovnik up to 7 times weekly. That’s the kind of schedule that supports weekend breaks and same-day flexibility.

It’s also telling that Rome–Dubrovnik occasionally had year-round service. Airlines don’t keep winter flying unless they see steady demand. That history hints the route worked at least some of the time.

It also suggests Vueling’s decision is less about Croatia demand alone and more about where Vueling wants to place aircraft. One thing travelers often miss is the difference between a published schedule and flights being sold.

Airlines can file routes months ahead and also pull inventory without changing the filed schedule right away. If you’re planning summer 2026, “not for sale” is your early warning. It’s not your final answer, but it’s a strong signal.

What’s driving it: a Rome Fiumicino base downsize

This looks like a network decision, not a single-route tantrum. Vueling is shrinking its aircraft base at Rome Fiumicino. Fewer based aircraft usually means fewer crews and fewer spare planes.

• Route stability drops. Seasonal routes are often the first to go.
• Frequency gets thinner. That reduces your options if a flight cancels.
• Rebooking choices shrink. With fewer Vueling flights out of Rome, your same-day alternatives get worse.

There are also staffing implications. When an airline trims a base, layoffs often follow. Fewer staff can mean leaner operations in peak season, appearing as longer lines and slower recovery after delays.

This does not mean Vueling is exiting Italy. It does mean the Rome-origin network is being narrowed. For you, that’s the key takeaway for summer 2026 planning: if your trip depends on a very specific departure time, you’ll want more than one workable routing.

What’s still available: Barcelona connections, plus Bilbao–Split

You still have Vueling to Split and Dubrovnik from Barcelona. In practice, that turns Barcelona into your connection point. That can be fine if you’re already pairing Croatia with Spain, the fare is cheap enough to justify the extra travel time, and you pack light to keep the itinerary on one ticket.

The new piece is Bilbao–Split, launching as a seasonal route in summer 2026. Seasonal is the key word: it usually means limited frequencies and a strict operating window. That’s great if it matches your dates, useless if you’re traveling outside the season.

Connections on low-cost carriers have their own reality. The airfare can look fantastic — then you add bags, seat selection, and a schedule that only runs a few days a week. A tight connection can also force a surprise hotel night.

If you do connect via Barcelona, give yourself time. Croatia flights tend to peak around the same bank of departures, creating crowding at gates and security. A longer connection can be the difference between vacation and chaos.

Price, comfort, and reliability: what changes without the nonstops

Without a nonstop, you’re trading simplicity for flexibility. Here’s how the main options stack up.

1) Price: low-cost may still win, but watch the “real” total

Vueling can still be the cheapest, especially for two-person trips with carry-ons only. The moment you add checked bags, the gap narrows fast.

Legacy one-stops can look expensive but may include a carry-on, sometimes a checked bag, and easier same-day reroutes. In peak summer, that can save you money you didn’t plan to spend.

2) Comfort: connections add fatigue more than miles

Rome to Split or Dubrovnik is short. A nonstop is easy. Add a connection and you’ve turned it into an all-day travel experience. That matters more than seat pitch.

If you’re traveling with kids, older family, or a tight villa check-in, nonstop was your best friend. Now, schedule padding is your new best friend.

3) Reliability: one ticket beats two, every time

If you must connect, try to keep it on one booking. That way, you have rebooking rights if you misconnect. A self-transfer might save money but puts all the risk on you.

That risk is fine for seasoned travelers with only a backpack; it’s risky with checked bags or a cruise departure.

4) Miles and points: this is where you can come out ahead

Vueling flights usually don’t shine for mileage earning. You’re often better off treating them as a cheap cash buy and earning points via your credit card.

If you switch to a full-service carrier, you may earn more meaningful elite credit. That matters if you’re chasing status or value priority lines and better rebooking. On the redemption side, Croatia award seats go early — especially to Dubrovnik — so flexibility helps.

• Search Rome to “Croatia” using alliance partners when possible.
• Consider flying into one city and out of another.
• Look at nearby airports when Split and Dubrovnik are sold out.

Competitive context: this is a low-cost retreat, not a Croatia retreat

Europe’s summer network is brutal. Aircraft go where margins look best. Pulling Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik suggests Vueling is prioritizing Spain and fewer Italy-origin routes.

You’re not losing access to Croatia — you’re losing a specific nonstop option from a specific airport. Other airlines and routings will still cover demand, but they may do it with different Italian departure cities, different hubs, or different Croatian airports.

For travelers, the competitive shift means you should compare whole itineraries. Don’t compare just one flight number that no longer exists.

Choose this if… scenarios for summer 2026

You don’t book travel based on strategy charts. You book based on your trip. Here’s the practical way to pick.

Choose Vueling via Barcelona if:

• You’re traveling carry-on only.
• Price is your top priority.
• You can handle a longer day and a bigger delay risk.
• You can pick a connection with a comfortable buffer.

Choose a full-service one-stop if:

• You’re checking bags.
• You’re traveling with family or on fixed hotel dates.
• You want better disruption protection.
• You’re earning elite status and want credit that matters.

Choose a nearby Croatian airport + transfer if:

• Split and Dubrovnik fares are wild.
• You’re heading to an island or resort anyway.
• You’re comfortable with a bus, ferry, or car rental plan.

Choose a positioning flight from another Italian city if:

• You still want a nonstop to Croatia.
• You can build a long layover or overnight in Italy.
• You understand separate tickets can leave you stranded.

⚠️ Heads Up: If you book separate tickets, leave enough time for delays. Summer Europe runs late more often than you’d like.

What to do now if you’re planning — or already booked

If you already held Vueling tickets for Rome–Split or Rome–Dubrovnik, watch your email and app notifications. Airlines often retime flights before canceling them. Don’t wait until the week of travel to react.

If you’re only planning for summer 2026, take these steps:

1. Price two backups now: one via Barcelona and one via a major hub.
2. Compare the full cost: bags, seats, and airport transfers matter.
3. Check alternate airports: Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and even Tivat can change the math.
4. Favor flexibility: refundable hotels or free-cancel rates reduce stress.

If you share your origin city and target dates, it becomes easy to narrow down the best alternates. Some weeks will favor Barcelona connections; other weeks will favor a hub-and-spoke airline.

Quick-reference facts to keep straight for Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik

You’re losing two specific nonstops in summer 2026: Rome–Split and Rome–Dubrovnik. Summer 2025 had meaningful frequency on both routes, which is why this stings for short trips.

What remains is straightforward. Vueling still links Split and Dubrovnik with Barcelona and is adding Bilbao–Split on a seasonal basis in summer 2026. The exact operating window and weekly frequencies will determine whether the route is useful for your dates.

If Croatia is on your short list for summer 2026, don’t wait for the “perfect” schedule to return. Pick your preferred week, build an itinerary with at least one good backup, and book earlier than you did in 2025.