If you’re planning to travel with Volaris Airlines, it’s essential to know their baggage policy to avoid any surprises at the airport.
This post will provide you with all the information you need to know about Volaris’ baggage policy, including carry on and checked baggage policies, traveling with sports equipment and musical instruments, and knowing what to do if your bag is delayed or damaged.
Note: Volaris updated its baggage policy as of February 23, 2023. The updated policy only affects bookings made on or after this date. If you bought your flight before February 23, the earlier baggage allowance (as shown in your booking email) applies.
Carry On Baggage Policy
Every Volaris passenger is entitled to bring a personal item onboard. Depending on the type of fare purchased, a carry-on bag may be included as well.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
Volaris has three types of fares available:
- Zero v.club
- Basic
- Vuela Plus
The carry-on baggage allowance for these fares varies for domestic (within Mexico) and international flights.
Carry On Baggage Allowance for Flights Within Mexico
| Type of Fare | Personal Item | Carry On Bag | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero v.club | 1 | 0 | n/a |
| Basic | 1 | 1 | 44 lb |
| Vuela Plus | 1 | 2 | 44 lb |
Carry On Baggage Allowance for International Flights
| Type of Fare | Personal Item | Carry On Bag | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero v.club | 1 | 0 | n/a |
| Basic | 1 | 1 | 44 lb |
| Vuela Plus | 1 | 1 | 44 lb |
Carry On Baggage Size
Personal Item
Your personal item should not exceed 14 x 18 x 8 inches (36 x 45 x 20 cm). It must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
Typical personal items include:
- Purses
- Backpacks
- Laptop bags
It’s important to note that Volaris considers a jacket or umbrella as a personal item, so you’ll need to pack them accordingly.
Carry On Bag
Your carry-on bag should not exceed 22 x 16 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 centimeters) including wheels, handles, and straps.
Carry On Baggage Weight
Volaris calculated your carry-on baggage weight limit by totaling the weight of your personal item and carry-on bag.
Irrespective of the number of carry-on items that you bring onboard, the combined weight of your carry-on bag(s) and personal item cannot exceed 44 pounds (20 kilograms). If your carry-on items exceed this weight limit, you may be subject to extra fees and/or your carry-on bag may have to be transported as checked baggage.
Carry On Baggage Fees
Of the three fares offered by Volaris, the only one which does not include a carry-on bag is the Zero v.club fare. If you wish to add a carry-on bag to your carry-on baggage allowance, you will be required to pay a fee. The fee depends on a number of factors:
- whether your flight is domestic (within Mexico) or international
- whether you are flying during low season or high season
- when you buy your carry-on bag allowance
Carry On Bag Fee for Flights within Mexico
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to MXN$702 | Up to MXN$910 |
| Before your flight | Up to MXN$741 | Up to MXN$741 |
| At the gate | Up to MXN$700 | Up to MXN$800 |
Carry On Bag Fee for International Flights
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to $58.99 | Up to $63 |
| Before your flight | Up to $116.99 | Up to $116.99 |
| At the airport | Up to $116.99 | Up to $116.99 |
| At the gate | Up to $116.99 | Up to $116.99 |
Hot Tip: As you can see, the fee to pay for a carry-on bag after your booking for international travel is the same up to when you reach the gate. If you intend to buy a carry-on bag after your booking, you’re best to wait until you reach the airport, as your travel circumstances may change. Bag fees aren’t refundable.
Checked Baggage Policy
Only the Vuela Plus fare includes checked baggage in its baggage allowance. This applies for domestic and international flights. For all other fares, you will have to pay a fee to travel with checked luggage.
Each passenger can travel with up to 5 checked bags.
Checked Baggage Size Limit
Your checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches in size (158 centimeters). This is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height of your bag, then totaling these measurements together. Be sure to include any wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.
If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be subject to an oversized bag fee.
Checked Baggage Weight Limit
Your checked bag can weigh up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms). If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll notice that this allowance is more generous than most airlines. The standard checked bag weight is normally 50 pounds.
If your checked bag is heavier than 55 pounds, it will be subject to an overweight bag fee.
Checked Baggage Fees
The fee you have to pay for your checked bag depends on a number of factors:
- whether your flight is within Mexico or international
- whether you’re traveling during low or high season
- when you buy your checked baggage
Checked Baggage Fees for Flights within Mexico
First Checked Bag Fee on Domestic Flights
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to MXN$1,027 | Up to MXN$1,027 |
| Before your flight | Up to MXN$1,365 | Up to MXN$1,365 |
| At the airport | Up to MXN$1,100 | Up to MXN$1,300 |
Checked Bag Fees for Bags 2 to 5 on Domestic Flights
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to MXN$1,300 each | Up to MXN$1,560 each |
| Before your flight | Up to MXN$1,365 each | Up to MXN$1,365 each |
| At the airport | Up to MXN$1,200 each | Up to MXN$1,500 each |
Checked Baggage Fees for International Flights
Your checked bag fees for international flights can also vary based on your itinerary. However, the absolute maximum checked bag fee you will be expected to pay is reflected in the following tables:
First Checked Bag Fee on International Flights
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to $126 | Up to $126 |
| Before your flight | Up to $143 | Up to $143 |
| At the airport or gate | Up to $250 | Up to $280 |
Checked Bag Fees for Bags 2 to 5 on International Flights
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to $250 each | Up to $260 each |
| Before your flight | Up to $350.99 each | Up to $350.99 each |
| At the airport or gate | Up to $300 each | Up to $300 each |
You may have noticed that the fee to pay for extra checked bags is cheaper at the airport than before your flight. I suspect that you can only check extra bags at the airport on a first-come first-served basis, before the plane’s hold is full.
Special Items
Special items include sports equipment and musical instruments – essentially any item that isn’t normally packed in a conventional suitcase.
Sports Equipment
If you plan on checking in your sports equipment as baggage, you will need to pay a fee. The fee will vary depending on the weight and size of the equipment, as well as the destination of your flight. You can find the exact fee for your sports equipment on Volaris’ website. It is important to note that the fee for sports equipment is in addition to the fee for your checked baggage.
Typical sports equipment checked in includes:
- Bicycle
- Bowling equipment
- Diving equipment
- Golf equipment
- Ski equipment
- Sports boards
Packing and Labeling Requirements
When packing your sports equipment, it’s important to ensure that it’s properly secured and protected to avoid any damage during transit. Volaris recommends that all sports equipment is packed in a protective case, with proper padding and protection. The airline won’t be liable for any damage or loss to sports equipment not properly packed.
Additionally, all sports equipment must be labeled with your name, and contact information. This labeling requirement ensures that your sports equipment can be easily identified and returned to you in case it gets lost or misplaced during transit.
Sports Equipment Size Limit
Your sports equipment can be up to 98 linear inches (249 centimeters) in size: length + width + height. If it exceeds this size limit, you will be subject to an extra fee.
Volaris won’t accept sports equipment larger than 110 linear inches (280 centimeters).
Sports Equipment Weight Limit
Your sports equipment can weigh up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms). If the item weighs more than this, it will be subject to an extra fee.
Volaris won’t accept sports equipment that weighs more than 99 pounds (45 kilograms).
Sports Equipment Fees
Sports Equipment Fees for Domestic Flights
If you intend to pay for your sports equipment bag fee during your booking, this can only be done by contacting Volaris’ call center.
The following charges apply to sports equipment up to 98 linear inches in size and weighing up to 55 pounds.
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking (call center) | Up to MXN$1,300 | Up to MXN$1,300 |
| Before your flight | Up to MXN$1,300 | Up to MXN$1,500 |
| At the airport | Up to MXN$1,300 | Up to MXN$2,000 |
If you are traveling during low season, the fee to check your sports equipment is the same, no matter when you pay the charge.
Sports Equipment Fees for International Flights
| Low Season Bag Fee | High Season Bag Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| During flight booking | Up to $170 | Up to $170 |
| Before your flight | Up to $170 | Up to $170 |
| At the airport or gate | Up to $180 | Up to $210 |
Note: If you are checking in sports equipment as an extra bag (not as your first bag), you can check it as a standard extra bag if it doesn’t exceed the standard bag limits of 62 linear inches and 55 pounds. You will only be charged for the standard checked bag fee, not the higher sports item fee.
Musical Instruments
Carry-on Musical Instruments
Volaris allows a musical instrument as a carry-on item if it meets the size requirements. It must be no larger than 22 x 16 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 centimeters).
Checked Musical Instruments
If your musical instrument is too large to be carried on board, Volaris allows passengers to check in larger musical instruments as checked baggage. All instruments should be properly packed in a hard-shell case with sufficient padding to prevent damage during transit. It’s also essential to label your musical instrument case with your name, and contact information.
Musical Instrument Checked Size and Weight Limits
The following size and weight limits apply to musical instruments packed in their case.
If your musical instrument is larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters), it will be subject to an oversized fee. Volaris will not accept musical instruments larger than 78.7 inches (200 centimeters).
If your musical instrument weighs more than 55 pounds (25 kilograms), it will be subject to an excess baggage fee.
Musical Instrument Checked Baggage Fees
When checking a musical instrument, the standard checked bag fees will apply.
Excess Baggage
If any checked item, whether it’s a standard bag, sports equipment, or musical instrument, weighs more than 55 pounds (25 kilograms), you will be required to pay an excess baggage fee at the airport. This fee is in addition to any other applicable fees.
The overweight baggage fee can be only paid at the airport, as airline staff will need to weigh your item.
Volaris has two overweight bag ranges:
- 57 to 78 pounds (26 to 35 kilograms)
- 79 to 99 pounds (36 to 45 kilograms)
The airline will not accept checked baggage weighing more than 99 pounds.
Overweight Baggage Fees for Flights within Mexico
| Checked Bag Weight | Low Season Overweight Bag Fee | High Season Overweight Bag Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 57 lb – 78 lb (26 kg – 35 kg) | Up to MXN$800 | Up to MXN$1,000 |
| 79 lb – 99 lb (36 kg – 45 kg) | Up to MXN$1,800 | Up to MXN$2,000 |
| 80+ lb (46+ kg) | not allowed | not allowed |
Overweight Baggage Fees for International Flights
| Checked Bag Weight | Low Season Overweight Bag Fee | High Season Overweight Bag Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 57 lb – 78 lb (26 kg to 35 kg) | Up to $100 | Up to $150 |
| 79 lb – 99 lb (36 kg – 45 kg) | Up to $200 | Up to $200 |
| 80+ lb (46+ kg) | not allowed | not allowed |
Low and High Fare Season
When discussing baggage fees, we have listed two categories of fees – charges that apply during low and for high season.
The dates for each season change annually, but the following table lists when each season applies for the current year (2023):
| Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| High | January 1 | January 10 |
| Low | January 11 | February 3 |
| High | February 4 | February 7 |
| Low | February 8 | March 17 |
| High | March 18 | March 21 |
| Low | March 22 | April 7 |
| High | April 8 | April 25 |
| Low | April 26 | June 2 |
| High | June 3 | August 22 |
| Low | August 23 | September 14 |
| High | September 15 | September 18 |
| Low | September 19 | November 17 |
| High | November 18 | November 21 |
| Low | November 22 | November 23 |
| High | November 24 | November 27 |
| Low | November 28 | December 8 |
| High | December 9 | December 31 |
Prohibited Items in Baggage
Volaris prohibits certain items from being carried in carry-on or checked baggage. These items include:
- Explosives, including fireworks and flares
- Flammable liquids and gases, including fuel and propane
- Oxidizing materials, including bleach and peroxide
- Toxic and infectious substances, including pesticides and viruses
- Radioactive materials, including medical isotopes and nuclear fuel
- Batteries
- Hoverboards or other self-balancing boards
Delayed, Damaged, or Lost Baggage
Delayed Baggage
If your baggage does not arrive at the destination, you should immediately report the delay to the Volaris baggage service office at the airport. They will create a report and give you a reference number that you can use to track the progress of your claim.
Damaged Baggage
If you notice damage to your baggage, you should report it immediately to the Volaris baggage service office at the airport. They will create a report and give you a reference number that you can use to track the progress of your claim.
Lost Baggage
If the airline hasn’t found your delayed bag within 3 days of your flight’s arrival, you can file a claim with Volaris. You can contact the airline to obtain a claim form.
Final Thoughts
Remember to always check Volaris’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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