Volaris
A Mexican low-cost airline operating an extensive point-to-point network between major cities in Mexico and the United States.
About Volaris
Volaris is a Mexican low-cost airline founded in 2005 and launched commercial operations in 2006. Its legal corporate parent is Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, which is publicly traded in Mexico and the United States. The carrier uses an unbundled fare model, selling a basic flight and allowing passengers to add services such as baggage, seat selection and priority boarding.
The airline operates a broad point-to-point network rather than relying exclusively on a single connecting hub. Tijuana is its busiest departure airport by route count, followed by Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun and Los Angeles. Its 136 routes cover 34 destinations across Mexico and the United States, including Monterrey, Culiacan, Hermosillo, Aguascalientes, La Paz and Leon/Guanajuato.
Volaris operates narrow-body Airbus aircraft, with Airbus A319 and A320 types represented in its fleet records. Cabins are configured for economical short- and medium-haul travel, without a traditional business-class product. Seating, checked baggage, larger cabin-bag allowances and other extras depend on the fare or bundle selected, so travellers should compare the complete trip price rather than the initial fare alone.
Volaris does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, and its network is primarily built around its own services rather than global-alliance connections. Instead of a conventional mileage-based frequent-flyer programme, it markets optional membership and subscription products that can provide fare or travel benefits. Their value depends heavily on travel frequency, eligible routes and the conditions attached to each product.
A major strength of Volaris is its wide selection of nonstop links, particularly from northern and western Mexico, which can reduce the need to connect through Mexico City. The trade-off is a tightly unbundled experience: many services included by full-service airlines cost extra. Passengers who review baggage rules carefully and purchase needed options early are better placed to avoid airport charges.
Good to know
Flying with Volaris — what to expect
Check Your Bundle
Volaris uses unbundled fares, so baggage, advance seat selection and other services may not be included. Review the final price and inclusions before paying.
Baggage Rules Vary
Cabin and checked-baggage allowances depend on the fare or bundle purchased. Confirm the permitted weight, number of pieces and current size limits directly with Volaris before departure.
Buy Extras Early
Adding baggage or other optional services online in advance is generally preferable to arranging them at the airport, where charges may be higher.
Single Economy Cabin
Flights use an economy-focused cabin rather than a traditional business class. Travellers can pay for selected seats or additional convenience options where offered.
Point-to-Point Network
Many routes bypass Mexico City, with substantial operations at Tijuana and Guadalajara. Leave sufficient time if combining separate tickets because independently booked connections may not be protected.
Food Costs Extra
Onboard refreshments are generally sold rather than included in the basic fare. Availability can vary by route and flight duration.
Network overview
Where Volaris flies
Volaris operates 136 routes to 34 destinations across 2 countries, its longest sector reaching Guadalajara to Chicago (2,779 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Volaris flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Guadalajara → Chicago
2,779 km · GDL → MDW
The longest sector in the Volaris network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Volaris
Tracked Volaris routes touch Mexico, United States.
Reviews of Volaris
TripAdvisor · 2023–2023- 50
- 41
- 30
- 22
- 147
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Worst airline experience ever
It's to long to detail all the ways this airline lied and ruined our vacation that we didn't end up going on due to this airline, avoid them for all reasons, terrible airline and even worse customer service. They will lie to you over and over and they are… See more nearly impossible to reach for any assistance with issues, ended up trapped in the Tijuana airport due to Volaris lies and negligence.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Ron L
Flight
They stole makeup that I had in one of my bags and also $80 in coins I was taking to my country I don’t recommend this airline honestly
Posted June 2023 by Camila
Worst airline ever, BEWARE!!
Terrible customer service! I could not check in online, tried about 5 times! So I figured I would get my boarding pass at the airport. My flight into Lax was delayed due to bad weather. I did not check my bag, went straight to the gate, they just barely… See more started boarding,There was still 45 minutes left before the plane was supposed to leave, the attendant refused to print my boarding pass, said the flight was closed. I was stranded in LA at midnight!! I had to call a family member in the middle of the night to come pick me up. I tried to get another flight out for the next day and without looking at the computer she told me there was nothing available for the next 3 days!! I will NEVER book a flight with them again, I don't care how cheap they are!!
See lessPosted June 2023 by Irene L
Trash
Worst flight service in the LAX. Only airline to have their flights canceled. 3 flights back to back canceled and the attendant had the nerve to try and offer a reservation for 3 days later…
Posted June 2023 by Carlos B
Made Us Miss Our Flight!
We got the ticket I would say two months before traveling. Everything went smoothly till we got to the airport. On the confirmation letter they told us to get there three hours before our flight. So we did, we had to fill out some paper work, then checked in… See more (which they had trouble doing), then my cousin (16) made her way to the gate, mind you at this point the gate was still open, when she got to the door the police officer wouldn't let her in, telling her she needed a form signed saying she has permission to fly, and that he needed that form because she is a minor. So she had to run back to the front, tell them what the officer said, and they told her to go back and to tell him she doesn't need it. She she went back with the officer, and he told her the same thing, he would not let her board unless she had that paperwork. Okay so they made her back ! She told them again she needed that paper, and they finally gave it after a while!, meanwhile they would leave and come back, talk, and take their time. Once they gave her this paperwork, she ran back to the door, by the point she came back the gate had closed, and the police officer wouldn't let her go in, saying she was late and should have came earlier. She tried her best telling him that he saw her try to get in but they wouldn't let her. So at the end they made her miss her flight, and no refund, and the employees and company blamed it on her saying she should have came 4 hours earlier instead of 3, when in the confirmation is said 3 ! Highly Upset !
See lessPosted June 2023 by Katherin L
Do No Use This Airline - Extremely Racist Flight Crew
I will never use Volaris again. I traveled with Volaris May 26, 2023 and May 30, 2023. All flights and customer service was a nightmare. Our first flight was over one hour late which cause us to miss our connecting flight. The airline did not accommodate us or… See more care. I purchased upgraded seats for my husband and I. We were not seated in the upgraded seats. We were scattered apart from each other. I asked the gate agent to please make sure we are seated in the upgraded seat that I paid for. I was laughed at by the rude gate agent and told that I was nothing that he could do. My husband was placed in the back of the plane I was in the middle. The flight crew was racist towards the African American people in the plane. I WILL NEVER TRAVEL WITH SUCH A DESPICABLE AIRLINE AGAIN. All flight attendants on our flight had their ID badge turned so that we could not notate their name to report to corporate. I have a photo of a flight attend that intentional removed her badge during flight so that her identity was not notated due to the rude and racist behavior. THE AIRLINE SHOULD IS A JOKE.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Lisa B
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
More from Mexico
Other airlines based in Mexico
FAQ
Volaris — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- The longest Volaris route is Guadalajara to Chicago, covering about 2,779 km nonstop.
- Volaris flies within Mexico and between Mexico and the United States. Notable destinations include Tijuana, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun, Los Angeles, Chicago, Monterrey and Culiacan.
- Volaris serves exactly 34 destinations across 2 countries, operating 136 routes.
- The cabin-baggage allowance depends on the fare or bundle selected, and lower fares may include more limited baggage. Check the current dimensions, combined weight and number of permitted pieces on the Volaris website before travelling.
- Tijuana is Volaris's busiest departure hub by route count. Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun and Los Angeles are also major departure points in its network.
- The busiest Volaris departure airports by route count are Tijuana, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cancun and Los Angeles, in that order.
- Fares are often lower when booked early for midweek travel outside holidays and peak vacation periods. Compare several dates and include baggage, seats and other required extras when assessing the true price.