Information on Viva Flights

As someone who travels through Mexico often, I am a big fan of Viva Aerobus, Mexico’s ultra-low-cost carrier. Known for its no-frills approach, Viva Aerobus offers flights across Mexico and to a handful of international destinations at prices that often undercut the competition.

With a growing fleet of modern aircraft and an emphasis on keeping costs low, this airline has quickly become a popular choice for travelers looking to explore Mexico without breaking the bank. While the trade-off for such low fares is a bare-bones service experience, Viva Aerobus delivers exactly what it promises for those who prioritize cost over comfort.

Viva Aerobus fares: Zero Fare

The Viva Aerobus Zero Fare is a budget-friendly option for those who travel light and don’t need checked baggage. This is the option for those who want to hop on a plane to Cancun with nothing more than a large tote bag full of toiletries and a swimsuit.

With Zero Fare, you get web check-in starting 72 hours before departure and the ability to carry on one personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Keep in mind that Zero Fare doesn’t allow any changes to your reservation, so your plans need to be set in stone. If you realize later that you need to add baggage, you can do so for a fee.

Viva Aerobus fares: Light Fare

I typically purchase the Viva Aerobus Light Fare. This mid-range fare includes a personal item, a carry-on and the ability to change your itinerary up to three times. The fare also includes Flex Pass, which allows passengers to hop on an earlier flight if there is room.

You can add a checked bag for an additional fee, but I usually pack light since it's typically warm when I visit Mexico. Most of the time, I find that a carry-on is all I need. This fare also allows you to buy a seat selection, which I normally do because I like to sit near the front of the plane.

Viva Aerobus fares: Smart Fare

The Viva Aerobus Smart Fare is the top-tier fare on this airline. This option includes a personal item, carry-on, checked bag, seat selection, Flex Pass and unlimited itinerary changes. This is the perfect option for anyone who plans to pack heavy or splurge on a shopping spree in the vibrant markets of Mexico City.

Check-In

Viva Aerobus offers multiple straightforward ways to check in so you can breeze through the airport without stress. You can check in directly online or through the Viva Aerobus app by entering your booking code and last name.

For those who prefer messaging, Viva Aerobus offers Vivabot via WhatsApp. Just send a quick message to the service number, follow the prompts, and you’ll receive your boarding pass as a QR code in seconds. This is my favorite way to check in and Viva Aerobus is one of the only airlines I know that provides this option.

If you’re part of Viva Fan, (more below) you can even check in with a smile through the Smile & Fly feature that uses facial recognition for a seamless experience.

And if you can’t check in before the day of your flight, don’t worry – just head to the counter at the airport. Arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight or 3 hours before an international one and Viva Aerobus staff will assist you with check-in and any baggage needs.

Like many airlines, Viva Aerobus has a membership program for loyal fliers. The Viva Fan membership offers some interesting perks, especially if you’re a frequent flyer within Mexico or to nearby international destinations.

For a yearly fee, you can get extra baggage weight allowances for carry-ons and checked luggage, as well as discounts on fares. There’s also the option to add up to 8 people to your membership, so you and your travel companions can all take advantage of the discounted rates and special promotions.

What intrigues me most about Viva Fan is the simplified check-in and boarding process using facial recognition – just smile and you’re good to go. That said, whether this membership is worth it depends largely on how often you fly with Viva Aerobus and whether the benefits align with your travel habits.

Viva Aerobus credit card options

In partnership with HSBC, Viva Aerobus offers two credit card options that cater to frequent flyers looking to maximize their travel perks. The HSBC VIVA Credit Card gets you your first round-trip flight for free. In addition to the free flight, it comes with perks like priority boarding, free checked baggage once a year and 20,000 Doters Points as a welcome bonus.

The HSBC VIVA PLUS card offers even more, including free carry-on luggage and checked baggage on every flight, 35,000 Doters Points as a welcome bonus and 10 Lounge Key access passes annually. Both cards provide Doters Points that never expire, interest-free installments on Viva purchases and purchase insurance.

I don’t fly Viva Aerobus enough for these cards to be worth it for me, but they are ideal for those who do frequently travel with Viva Aerobus.

Viva Aerobus codeshares

While Viva Aerobus is not a member of any of the three major airline alliances, it has partnered with Iberia, Spain's largest airline, to make travel between Mexico and Spain a bit easier. It’s a practical setup that cuts down on the hassle of booking with different airlines while keeping things straightforward with baggage and fares.

This codeshare agreement means if you're flying Iberia from Madrid to Mexico City, you can now catch a connecting Viva Aerobus flight to other cities across Mexico without needing separate tickets. And if you're traveling from a smaller Mexican city to Madrid, you can start your journey with Viva Aerobus and then hop on an Iberia flight in Mexico City.

Viva Aerobus frequent flyer program

Viva Aerobus has a frequent flyer program called Doters, where members earn points that can be used for flights, experiences and even some cool perks. Signing up is free and once you’re in you’ll start accumulating points based on how much you spend and how often you fly. The program has three levels – Green, Silver, and Gold – each offering a range of benefits that get better as you level up.

At the Green level, you earn 1 point for a set amount spent. Move up to Silver, and you get 1.5 points and at Gold you earn 2 points. If you’re flying often like me, there’s also a loyalty bonus where you can rack up extra points for completing multiple flights – 2,000 points for 4 one-way flights, 3,000 for 8, and 8,000 for 16.

Beyond just earning points, Doters members enjoy perks like exclusive fares, extra baggage allowances, free seat selection, priority boarding and access to the Smile & Fly feature. You can even use your points to pay for airport fees or share them with someone else who’s also enrolled in the program. It’s a solid setup, especially if you find yourself on Viva Aerobus flights regularly.

Viva Aerobus pet policy

Viva Aerobus is pet-friendly, welcoming your cats and dogs in the cabin as long as they meet certain height and weight requirements. Your pet needs to be at least 8 weeks old, and there are a few breed restrictions to keep in mind. Emotional support animals and service dogs fly free and don’t need to be in a kennel, but they do need to be leashed, harnessed, and have proper ID.

You should note that there is a limit of one pet per passenger and only three pets allowed per flight, so it’s a good idea to book early to secure your furry friend’s spot. If your pet doesn’t meet the in-cabin criteria, or if they’re not properly documented as an emotional support animal, they’ll have to travel in the cargo hold and any extra costs will be on you.