Spanish carrier Vueling has become the only low cost airline named among the world’s best employers as part of the Top Employers Institute’s HR Best Practices Survey.

It is the second consecutive year that the airline, part of the International Airlines Group which also includes British Airways, has won the prestigious accolade.

The distinction recognises the company’s initiatives in relation to its people strategy, work environment, learning, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion.

In total 2,400 Top Employer companies were recognised this year across 125 countries on five continents. Vueling was the only airline named in Europe.

The firm was assessed across six human resources categories in 20 aspects such as people strategy, work environment, talent, learning, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, among others.

Fernando Cuadra, chief people officer at Vueling, said: “Top Employer certification reflects our commitment to our employees and our dedication to adapting effectively to an ever-changing work environment.” 

Vueling said its “Transform” strategic plan “seeks to build a company able to take on the new challenges of the future.

It added that the company’s “purpose, values, ethics and integrity” ensures each employee has collective and individual goals.

“Accomplishments are shared by the whole team and annual performance is evaluated based on behaviour in line with our values,” said Vueling.

Another significant Top Employers recognised was Vueling’s Cultural Transformation action plan, which aims for excellence in people management.

It includes training programmes, professional development and growth opportunities within the company, and promotes active listening to employees’ experiences through biannual surveys designed to assess the impact of initiatives.

The survey’s Talent, Development and Performance category considered how Vueling fosters a high-performance environment and prioritises professional growth and internal mobility, filling 55% of vacancies with internal talent.

The airline has also invested over 14,000 hours in training programmes. The airline also provides an “onboarding experience in line with its corporate values so that employees understand Vueling’s culture and strategy from day one and feel part of it”.

Diversity within Vueling was also considered one of its key strengths when it comes to talent strategy. The company has created employee groups such as Flying Free to promote inclusion and has been part of REDI (Business Network for LGBTI Diversity and Inclusion) since 2024.

In addition to other benefits, employees have access to the Carpool app, which makes it easier to commute with colleagues and thereby helps to reduce their carbon footprint.

Inclusive leadership is another one of Vueling’s strategic priorities with 55% of Management Committee positions held by women, including the chief executive and president.

Women hold 40.3% of leadership and management positions, and account for 51.2% of the company’s overall workforce.

Vueling also promotes a work environment where everyone can express themselves freely to tap into their full potential.

“The recognition of Vueling as the best airline for the second year in a row is a great achievement,” says David Plink, chief executive of the Top Employers Institute.

“It confirms that the company is leading the way in its efforts to further the growth and well-being of its employees, while continuing to enrich the world of work.”