Re: How bad does it have to get?
Never flown with Vueling but I do fly home with RyanAir about 3 times a year. Two and half hour flight, view it like a bus service, take your own snack/lunch on board, lots of people do it. Also, leave your online check-in as late as possible, that way you will be allocated a decent seat. I never pay to reserve a seat. Admittedly it is easier when you fly solo.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
