Find cheap Volaris flights

Volaris is a Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier that serves 73 destinations overall, including 44 cities across Mexico and various US destinations, with additional routes to Central and South American destinations like Guatemala and Colombia. The airline continues expanding its network, making it an increasingly viable option for budget-conscious travelers heading south of the border.

Founded nearly two decades ago, Volaris dominates the market with cheap fares and an expansive route network. Let’s be real: you get what you pay for. It’s a no-frills ride with upcharges for just about everything. But if you know how to play the game, you can snag some seriously cheap flights. And that’s where we come in. With these tips, you’ll be a Volaris pro.

Why fly Volaris

In my experience, Volaris delivers on its core promise: cheap fares that get you from A to B. While it’s harder to find extremely low fares last minute, particularly in high season, booking ahead can get you a flight to Central and South America at a fraction of the typical cost.

The key to a good Volaris experience is paying attention to ticket options and upcharges. The airline has multiple fare options, combos, and bundles, but all the picking and choosing can become confusing fast. Be sure to calculate all your extra items like an assigned seat or a checked bag, to see if the deal is truly worth it (I found jotting down notes to be helpful!).

Still, if you’re a light packer (we’re talking no checked bags) and have some flexibility, Volaris is definitely worth a look. The same goes for families, because round-trip tickets for five can add up fast. The trick is knowing where and how to search (more on that below).

The route network is another big plus. Thanks to a codeshare partnership with Frontier (recently reactivated), Volaris serves smaller US airports like Fort Myers or Cedar Rapids. It’s also often the only airline offering nonstop flights from certain US cities to destinations in Mexico. Just be aware that availability varies by route and date.

Navigating fare classes

Volaris offers three fare classes (Zero, Basic, and Plus - and many upsells. Keep in mind that the initial fare you’ll see during the search is often not representative of what you’ll actually pay. Click ‘Select’ into each fare type to see the real prices, which frequently differ on the next screen.

Zero

The most no-frills fare class is called Zero, perhaps because it comes with nothing but a personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you. Everything else, including carry-on items, seat selections, and checked bags, must be purchased. Like the most restrictive basic economy class on other airlines, Zero doesn’t include free changes or refunds, though cancellations are allowed within legal cooling-off windows (domestic within 24 hours; international within 7 days) and unlimited changes can be added via Combo Flexibility.

Basic

This is my usual go-to. The Basic fare includes one personal item and one carry-on (size and weight limits apply), and I’ve often found that the final price is about the same (or sometimes even cheaper) than buying a Zero fare and adding a carry-on separately. This fare class doesn’t allow changes or refunds either, but you can purchase it as an add-on.

Plus

Plus is as close to business as one can get on an ultra-low-cost carrier. It bundles a personal item, a carry-on, and one checked bag. You also get the ability to make unlimited changes and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Priority boarding is available via the More Speed combo add-on, not included automatically with Plus. If you know you’re checking a bag, this option often pencils out better than buying a Basic fare and tacking on all the extras.

Remember that the price differences between fares and add-ons can vary based on the route, time of year, and how full the flight is, so always compare your options before you book.

Add-ons and combos

Here’s where things can get a little... complicated. Volaris has a whole menu of add-ons and combos that can make your head spin. One of the better ones is the “Combo Flexibility” add-on, which offers unlimited date/time changes up to 4 hours before departure (fare difference may apply) for about the price of two fancy coffees. I find that pretty generous.

This is where things get confusing. With so many options and minimal cost differences, the process becomes overwhelming fast. The key is knowing your non-negotiables before you start clicking through add-ons.

I travel with a carry-on only and prefer priority boarding, so I stick to a Basic fare with no add-ons and just pay for a Premium + bulkhead seat (the first 2 rows). In my experience, that gives access to the first few boarding groups without buying the More Speed add-on.

Volaris offers four seating types: Premium + (rows 1 and 2), Premium (rows 3 through 5), More Space (exit rows), and Standard (everything else). Pricing varies wildly by route. A seat in the back might be inexpensive, while the first row could cost more. You can skip seat selection entirely, but I find the expense worth it for bulkhead comfort or faster deplaning.

Booking and pre-flight experience

One of the main drawbacks to Volaris is that it takes an effort to find flights to your destination served by this airline. There are two challenges: inconsistent flight information and confusing origin availability.

The flights don’t show up consistently in the Volaris system. An airport like Knoxville, for example, shows up as an origin airport on the Volaris app, but it’s not available as an option on the website. When in doubt, it’s best to check with Volaris customer service which you can contact through messenger services.

A couple of pro tips for booking: Flight schedules vary by route, so you might have to toggle through different days of the week to find a flight. Also, check the currency display before you get too excited about that low number, make sure you’re looking at USD if that’s your preferred currency.

Once you’re booked, the check-in process is pretty straightforward on both the app and the website. Just make sure you do it online ahead of time. Checking in at the airport counter will cost you extra.

Volaris memberships

If you think you’ll be flying Volaris more than once, it’s worth looking into their membership programs. They have two main options, each for a different kind of traveler.

v.club

Think of v.club as a discount club. For a small fee, you get access to exclusive fares and up to 20% off tickets. Sometimes, they’ll even throw in the membership at no cost when you book a Zero fare, which is a great way to test it out without any commitment. It’s a solid choice if you plan to fly a Volaris route a few times a year.

Annual pass

For the truly frequent flyer, there’s the annual pass. It lets you book unlimited direct flights across their network for $499.99 USD (or $13,999 MXN). The catch? Domestic Annual Pass seats are published 24 hours in advance, and international Annual Pass seats (including U.S.) are published 3 days in advance, and you still have to pay for taxes, airport fees, and any bags. This pass is really for the spontaneous, luggage-free traveler who flies to Mexico *a lot*. The more you fly, the more you save.

Onboard Volaris

In true budget airline fashion, Volaris doesn’t offer wi-fi or in-flight entertainment. Refreshments, including water, are available for purchase and snacks mostly include packaged chips and candies and some sandwiches. I made the mistake of buying coffee on a flight to Mexico City once and I do not recommend it.

You’ll most likely fly on an Airbus A320, which represents the majority of the Volaris fleet. The airline operates A319, A320 (including ceo and neo), and A321 (including ceo and neo) models (all single-aisle jetliners with three seats on each side). Volaris was one of the first carriers in North America to use the A320Neo, a slightly bigger and quieter version of the standard A320.

Legroom is... cozy, with standard seat pitch at approximately 28-29 inches, while “More Space” and premium seats offer up to 32 inches of pitch. Premium + seats may offer a bit more space. I’d steer clear of Row 11 (in front of the exit row) and Row 12 (exit row), as they typically have limited or no recline to ensure emergency exit clearance.

In my experience, the seats are quite rigid and uncomfortable. But for the short-haul flights that make up most Volaris routes, it’s manageable.