Flying with ultra-low-cost carriers like Volaris is a fantastic way to explore Mexico, the US, and Central America without breaking the bank.
However, the trade-off for those affordable tickets is often a strict and sometimes confusing baggage policy. If you aren’t careful, baggage fees can quickly cost more than your actual seat.
Whether you’re heading to the beaches of Cancún or a business meeting in Mexico City, understanding the rules before you pack is the secret to a stress-free trip.
Understanding Volaris Fare Classes
Volaris separates its tickets into three main categories. Your baggage allowance depends entirely on which of these you purchase.
Knowing the difference between them is the first step to avoiding surprise fees at the airport.
Zero Fare: The Absolute Minimum
This is the cheapest option available, designed for the ultra-light traveler.
- What’s included: 1 personal item only.
- What’s missing: No carry-on bag and no checked bag.
- Best for: Day trips or overnight stays where a backpack is all you need.
Basic Fare: The Middle Ground
This option offers a balance between price and luggage space, though it strangely prioritizes checked luggage over carry-ons for domestic flights in many configurations.
- What’s included: 1 personal item.
- Bonus: 1 checked bag (up to 33 lbs/15 kg).
- Note: A full-sized carry-on is often not included in this tier unless added separately.
Plus Fare: The “Worry-Free” Bundle
If you struggle to pack light, this is the tier for you.
- What’s included: 1 personal item, 1 carry-on bag, and 1 checked bag (up to 55 lbs/25 kg).
- Perks: Priority boarding and unlimited flight changes are usually included here.
Carry-On vs. Personal Item: What’s the Difference?
The most common mistake travelers make with Volaris is confusing a “personal item” with a “carry-on.” The distinction is strict, and gate agents will check.
The Personal Item
Every single passenger, regardless of fare class, is allowed one personal item.
- Size limit: Must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Examples: A purse, a laptop bag, a small backpack, or a briefcase.
- Key Rule: If it has to go in the overhead bin, it is not a personal item.
The Carry-On Bag
This is the larger bag that goes in the overhead compartment. It is not free with Zero or Basic fares unless you purchase a specific bundle.
- Dimensions: Maximum 22 x 16 x 10 inches (length x width x height).
- Weight Limit: This is crucial. The combined weight of your personal item AND your carry-on must not exceed 44 lbs (20 kg).
- Wheels count: Make sure to include wheels and handles in your measurements.
Checked Baggage Rules
For longer trips, you will likely need to check a bag. Volaris has specific weight tiers that differ from standard international carriers like American or Delta.
Standard Checked Bag Allowance
- Basic Fare: Includes one bag up to 33 lbs (15 kg). Note that this is significantly lighter than the industry standard of 50 lbs.
- Plus Fare: Includes one bag up to 55 lbs (25 kg).
- Dimensions: maximum 62 total inches (length + width + height).
Purchasing Extra Bags
You can add up to 5 checked bags per passenger. It is always cheaper to buy these online at the time of booking or through the “My Trips” section on their website before you get to the airport.
Airport counter prices are significantly higher.
Overweight and Oversized Fees
If your bag exceeds the weight limit of your fare class (e.g., your Basic fare bag weighs 40 lbs instead of 33), you will be charged a steep overweight fee.
- Max Weight: No single bag can weigh more than 99 lbs (45 kg).
- Max Size: No single bag can exceed 110 total inches.
Volaris Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees and Weights
| Fare Type | Carry-On Bag Fee | Carry-On Weight Limit | Checked Bag Fee (First Bag) | Checked Bag Weight Limit | Checked Bag Fee (Additional Bags) |
| Zero | $45 – $75 | 44 lbs (20 kg) total | $50 – $80 | 55 lbs (25 kg) | $60 – $100 per bag |
| Basic | Included | 44 lbs (20 kg) total | $25 – $55 | 55 lbs (25 kg) | $60 – $100 per bag |
| Plus | Included | 44 lbs (20 kg) total | Included (1 bag) | 55 lbs (25 kg) | $60 – $100 per bag |
Restricted and Prohibited Items
Volaris adheres to standard international safety protocols, but there are specific restrictions you should double-check, particularly regarding electronics and batteries.
Smart Bags
“Smart bags” with built-in chargers or GPS are allowed, but with strict conditions:
- Carry-on: The battery must be removable. If the battery cannot be removed, the bag is forbidden.
- Checked: You must remove the battery and take it into the cabin with you.
Lithium Batteries & Electronics
Loose lithium batteries, power banks, and e-cigarettes must go in your carry-on or personal item.
They are strictly prohibited in checked luggage due to fire risks. If you check a bag containing a vape pen or spare laptop battery, security will likely remove it, and you may face delays.
Liquids and Powders
- Liquids: In carry-on bags, liquids must be in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and fit in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
- Powders (Flights to the US): Powder-like substances (makeup, coffee, protein powder) greater than 12 oz (350 ml) must be placed in checked luggage.
Traveling with Special Items
Sports Equipment
Volaris is relatively friendly toward sports gear (surfboards, bikes, golf clubs).
You can check these items as part of your allowance if they fall within weight and size limits, but purchasing the specific “Sports Equipment” add-on is often safer and provides a higher weight allowance.
Musical Instruments
Small instruments (violins, flutes) can be your carry-on if they fit in the overhead bin.
Larger instruments (guitars, cellos) must be checked in a hard case or, in some instances, you may purchase an extra seat for them.
5 Tips to Save Money on Volaris Baggage
Buy Bags Early
The “Time of Purchase” rule applies. Bags are cheapest when booking the flight, more expensive when adding them later online, and most expensive at the airport check-in counter.
Weigh at Home
Since the Basic fare checked bag limit is only 33 lbs (not the usual 50 lbs), many travelers accidentally go over. Weigh your bag before leaving home.
Use a Scale for Carry-Ons
Remember the “Combo Rule.” Your carry-on and personal item combined cannot exceed 44 lbs. Gate agents may weigh them together.
Wear Your Heaviest Clothes
If you are close to the weight limit, wear your heaviest jacket and boots onto the plane.
The Invex Credit Card
If you fly Volaris frequently, holders of the Volaris INVEX credit cards often get extra baggage allowance perks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a backpack as a personal item?
Yes, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. A standard school-sized backpack usually fits, but a large hiking backpack will not.
How strict is Volaris with carry-on size?
Very strict. They have metal sizers at the gate. If your wheels stick out or the bag doesn’t fit, you will be forced to check it and pay a gate-check fee.
Does a diaper bag count as a carry-on?
Usually, you are allowed one diaper bag per traveling infant in addition to your allowance, but policies can vary based on the specific route. Always check the “Traveling with Infants” section of their site before flying.
What happens if my checked bag is delayed?
Volaris offers a baggage guarantee. If your bag does not arrive on the same flight as you, they provide an electronic credit for future travel.
Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Navigating the Volaris airlines baggage policy doesn’t have to be a headache. The airline offers incredible value for travelers willing to play by the rules.
By choosing the right fare class, measuring your bags before you leave, and adding any necessary extras online rather than at the airport, you can ensure your journey is smooth and affordable.
Grace Turner is a travel researcher with 5+ years of experience analyzing airline rules and global travel regulations. She specializes in simplifying complex airline policies to help travelers avoid extra fees and fly with confidence. Her work focuses on accuracy, clarity, and up to date information across international carriers.
