Volaris Airlines Carry-on Rules & Baggage Rules (2025 Guide)

The first time I booked a flight with Volaris, I thought I had scored the deal of the century. The ticket price was so cheap compared to other airlines that I felt like I had beaten the system. But of course, reality hit me at the airport. That sweet looking low fare came with a catch, and the catch was the baggage rules.

Volaris is one of those airlines that loves to keep the base price low and then charge you for pretty much everything else. The part that surprises most first time flyers is how strict they are about carry on sizes and especially the weight. I have seen people get stopped at the gate, asked to weigh their bag, and end up paying extra on the spot because it was just a couple of pounds over. Trust me, nothing kills the excitement of a vacation faster than starting it with an unexpected fee.

That is why it really pays to know exactly what Volaris allows before you even pack your bag. In this guide I will walk you through their carry on rules, personal item policy, checked baggage details, and a few tricks I have learned from experience. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly how to pack smart and avoid those surprise charges that Volaris is so good at sneaking in.

Volaris Carry on Size Rules

Volaris allows you to bring one standard carry on bag plus one personal item, but here is the catch. The carry on cannot be bigger than 22 inches x 16 inches x 10 inches and it has to weigh under 22 pounds. That weight rule is the one that gets people every time. On many US or Canadian airlines, nobody cares how much your carry on weighs as long as it fits in the overhead bin. Volaris is not like that.

I have seen gate agents with small portable scales checking bags one by one. If your suitcase tips over the limit, they do not hesitate to charge you. One time I watched a family in front of me pull out shoes and jackets at the last minute, trying to stuff them into their personal bags just to make the weight. It was chaos and honestly kind of stressful to watch.

The safest way to deal with Volaris is to actually weigh your carry on before you leave home. I travel with one of those little digital luggage scales, and it has saved me from awkward surprises more than once. Another trick I use is to pack heavier things like books, electronics, or chargers into my personal item instead of the carry on. Since they rarely weigh the personal bag, it gives you a bit of breathing room.

So yes, the rules are strict, but if you know them ahead of time, you can work around them and keep your wallet safe.

Personal Item Rules

Along with your carry on, Volaris lets you bring one personal item. This bag has to be smaller, and it needs to fit under the seat in front of you. The official limit is 14 inches x 18 inches x 8 inches, which is about the size of a small backpack, a laptop bag, or a medium tote.

Now here is where a lot of people get tripped up. They think a big duffel bag or a huge backpack will count as a personal item. It will not. If it looks bulky or if it sticks out from under the seat, the staff might decide it is another carry on and charge you for it. I once watched a guy try to shove a hiking backpack under his seat and it was like watching a comedy skit. He kept kicking it, twisting it, and eventually gave up. The flight attendant just shook her head and tagged it for the hold.

Personally, I like using a slim backpack that still has lots of pockets. Mine holds my laptop, headphones, snacks, and a hoodie. The bonus is that I can pull it out easily during the flight without disturbing anyone else. Plus, I never have to worry about overhead bin space, which on Volaris flights tends to fill up fast.

If you keep your personal item simple and within size, it will make your life much easier and help you avoid those frustrating last minute fees.

Checked Baggage Policy

Sometimes there is no way around it, you just need to check a bag. With Volaris, the standard checked luggage can measure up to 62 linear inches (that’s length plus width plus height) and it has to stay under 55 pounds. If your bag is heavier than that, the fees shoot up quickly.

The thing with Volaris is that checked baggage prices are all about timing. If you pay for a checked bag when you book your ticket, it is much cheaper. If you wait until you get to the airport, you will feel the difference in your wallet. I learned this lesson the hard way on a last minute trip to Cancun. I thought I could just add a checked bag when I arrived. Let’s just say I could have bought a really nice dinner with the extra money I ended up paying.

The other thing to watch out for is that Volaris staff really do weigh checked bags carefully. If your suitcase goes over 55 pounds, you are instantly hit with an overweight fee. I once saw a couple unpacking their suitcase right at the counter, moving clothes into plastic bags just to get under the limit. Not exactly the fun start to a vacation.

If you know you will need a checked bag, add it online when you buy your ticket. It will save you money and also give you peace of mind knowing you are covered.

Fare Bundles and What They Include

Volaris sells tickets in three main bundles: Vuela Básica, Vuela Clásica, and Vuela Plus. On paper it looks straightforward, but in reality it is easy to get lost in the details.

• Vuela Básica: This is the cheapest ticket and it includes just one personal item. No full sized carry on, no checked bag. A lot of people book this fare thinking they are getting a deal, then end up paying extra later because even their small suitcase does not qualify.

• Vuela Clásica: This is more middle ground. It gives you a personal item and a carry on bag up to the size and weight limits. You also get the option to add a checked bag for a lower fee compared to Básica. If you know you will bring a suitcase, this option often works out better than trying to save with Básica.

• Vuela Plus: This is the most flexible of the three. It includes a personal item, a carry on, and one checked bag right away. It also comes with priority boarding and a few other perks like seat selection. If you are the type who always travels with more stuff or if you hate the stress of juggling bag fees, this one makes the most sense.

The important thing to remember is that the cheapest fare is not always the cheapest in the end. I made the mistake once of grabbing a Básica ticket to Mexico City because the price looked amazing. By the time I added my carry on and checked bag, I had spent more than if I had just gone with Clásica in the first place. Lesson learned.

Specialty Items (Baby Gear, Sports, Instruments)

Volaris does cut parents some slack when it comes to baby gear. You can check a stroller and a car seat for free, and you can bring a diaper bag along with your personal item. I once saw a family traveling with twins, and the staff let them gate check two strollers without any hassle at all. Honestly, it was a relief to watch because airports can already feel like a circus with kids.

Sports equipment is a different story. Skis, surfboards, and golf clubs all count as checked baggage, and they need to be packed properly. If your bag is oversize or overweight, you will definitely get charged extra. On one of my flights to Guadalajara, I saw a guy arguing with the agent because his surfboard bag was too long, and no amount of pleading made them bend the rules. The bag had to be checked with an oversize fee.

Musical instruments are allowed, but whether you can carry them on depends on the size and the space available. Smaller instruments like violins or guitars sometimes make it into the cabin if the bins are not too full. Larger ones will need to be checked. I once saw a musician board early with a guitar, and he got it into the overhead without trouble, but the guy behind him with a keyboard wasn’t so lucky.

The takeaway is simple. Volaris has clear rules for special items, and they stick to them. If you are traveling with anything out of the ordinary, it is better to plan for it in advance so you are not stuck at the airport scrambling.

Extra Fees and Surprises to Watch For

If you have flown with Volaris before, you probably already know that the ticket price is just the starting point. The airline is famous for adding fees everywhere, and if you are not careful, you can easily spend more than you planned.

One of the biggest ones is the overweight bag fee. This applies to both carry on and checked luggage. Even if your suitcase is the right size, if it is heavier than allowed, you will be paying extra. I have literally watched people move clothes from one suitcase to another on the airport floor just to avoid this. Not exactly how you want to start a vacation.

Another common trap is waiting to add baggage until you get to the airport. Volaris charges much less if you pay for bags online at the time of booking. Show up at the counter without prepaying, and you will be paying top dollar.

Seat selection is another sneaky add on. If you do not pick a seat in advance, you will be assigned one at random. Most of the time it is fine, but if you are traveling with family or friends, you could end up separated unless you pay.

Even printing your boarding pass at the airport can come with a fee in some cases. It sounds unbelievable, but I have seen it happen. Always check in online and keep the mobile pass handy to avoid that little sting.

The bottom line is that Volaris works a bit like a budget fast food menu. The main item looks cheap, but once you start adding drinks and sides, the total climbs fast. The best defense is to plan ahead, pay online, and keep an eye on the weight of your bags.

Quick Packing Tips for Volaris Travelers

Flying Volaris can feel a little stressful if you are not prepared, but with the right packing tricks, you can avoid most of the headaches. Here are the things that have saved me more than once.

1. Weigh before you go
This is my number one rule for Volaris. They love to check bag weight, even for carry ons, so I always use a little digital luggage scale at home. It takes two seconds and can save you from a nasty surprise at the gate.

2. Keep heavy stuff in your personal item
Since they rarely weigh the personal bag, that is where I put my laptop, chargers, books, or anything else that adds weight. Just make sure it still slides under the seat in front of you.

3. Use packing cubes
I swear by these. They keep clothes organized, make re packing faster, and help you squeeze more into a small bag. On one trip, I fit five days of outfits into just one cube, and it actually zipped shut without me sitting on it.

4. Wear your bulky items
If you are bringing a jacket or heavy shoes, wear them on the plane. I once watched a traveler put on two sweatshirts just to avoid the overweight fee, and while he looked a little sweaty, he saved himself about forty bucks.

5. Keep an essentials pouch
Before boarding, I pull out a small pouch with headphones, snacks, and my charger. That way, once my carry on is in the overhead bin, I do not have to get up every five minutes to dig things out.

With these tricks, flying Volaris feels less like a gamble and more like a routine. Pack smart, and you will breeze through check in without the stress.

Handy Travel Gear for Volaris Travelers

Packing for Volaris can feel like a puzzle because of their strict weight and size rules. Over time, I have found a few pieces of gear that make things much easier.

1. Carry on Suitcase: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Lightweight Expandable Suitcase

This one is a lifesaver for Volaris flights because it is super light. Even when the suitcase is empty, it barely adds weight, which gives you more room to pack without crossing that 22 pound limit. I used it on a Mexico City trip, and it slid into the overhead bin without anyone giving me a second look.

2. Personal Item Backpack: Samsonite Tectonic Lifestyle Crossfire Business Backpack

This backpack is slim enough to fit under the seat but surprisingly roomy. It has space for a laptop, snacks, and even a hoodie. On my last flight, I managed to fit my camera and chargers in here too, which kept my carry on nice and light.

3. Packing Cubes: Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes

These packing cubes keep everything neat and make unpacking so much easier. I once fit an entire week’s worth of clothes into a carry on using these, and they made airport security less stressful since my stuff was organized.

4. Compression Bags: TRIPPED Travel Compression Packing Bags

These are great when you want to avoid paying for a checked bag. I used them on a Cancun trip and managed to pack a beach towel, two pairs of shorts, and shirts into one bag. You just roll the air out, no vacuum needed.

5. Portable Luggage Scale: Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale

This is probably the most useful thing for flying Volaris. I keep mine in a side pocket, and before I even head to the airport, I check the weight. It has saved me from overweight fees so many times I have lost count.

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These are the things I always reach for when I am packing for Volaris. They make the strict rules easier to deal with, and honestly, they give me a little peace of mind knowing I will not get stopped at the gate.

FAQ About Volaris Carry on Rules

Does Volaris allow free carry on?
Not with the cheapest fare. If you buy the Básica fare, you only get a personal item. To bring a full sized carry on, you need to book Clásica or Plus, or pay extra.

How strict is Volaris with carry on weight?
Very strict. They almost always check, and the limit is 22 pounds. If you are even a little over, you could be charged. I once saw someone forced to unpack at the gate because their bag was overweight.

What happens if my carry on is overweight?
You will either have to pay an overweight fee or check it in as regular luggage. There is no negotiating, so it is better to weigh your bag before you go.

Are strollers free on Volaris?
Yes. You can check a stroller and a car seat for free, and you can bring a diaper bag along with your personal item. This makes traveling with kids a lot less stressful.

Does Vuela Básica include checked luggage?
No, it does not. Básica only includes one personal item. If you want checked bags, you need to pay extra or upgrade to a higher fare.

Conclusion: Flying Volaris Without the Stress

Flying with Volaris can feel a bit overwhelming at first because the baggage rules are stricter than most airlines, but once you know what to expect it gets much easier. The key is planning ahead. Weigh your bags before you leave home, keep your personal item simple, and add any luggage online instead of waiting until the airport.

I will admit, the first time I flew Volaris I thought I was getting away with an unbelievably cheap ticket. By the time I was done paying for my carry on and picking a seat, I realized I had fallen into the classic trap. These days, I know better. With the right fare bundle and a little smart packing, the whole experience is actually smooth.

At the end of the day, Volaris is a budget airline, and like most budget airlines, it is all about knowing the rules before you show up. If you are prepared, you can save money, skip the stress, and focus on the fun part of your trip. And trust me, it feels a lot better to sit back on the plane with your bags sorted than to be the one frantically unpacking at the counter.