The pre-operations phase, the founding of the legal entities and setting up of the required infrastructure, started in August 2005 under the nameVuela Airlines. The idea for the airline was formed from the proposed "Vuelamex" project.[8] Major initialshareholders of the company wereGrupo Televisa (the world's biggest Spanish-language media conglomerate),Inbursa (an insurance company owned by multi-billionaireCarlos Slim),TACA Airlines, and the Discovery Americas Fund. Each of these partners invested 25% of the initial cost of activities, or 100 millionUSD.[8]
In July 2010,[9] it was announced that Televisa and Inbursa had sold their stake in Volaris, leaving the ownership of Volaris as follows:TACA Airlines with Roberto and Maria Cristina Kriete (50%), Investment fund Discovery Americas (over 25%), andIndigo Partners: Fund led by formerAmerica West CEOBill Franke.
Ticket sales started in January 2006. Following the delivery of the airline's first aircraft, the first non-commercial flight was operated in February 2006. Scheduled revenue flights were launched on March 13, 2006, with the inaugural flight being between Toluca andTijuana.
Volaris began service toMexico City in September 2010 after absorbing flight routes from two defunct Mexican airlines,Aerocalifornia andMexicana. In March 2011, the airline announced that its hub in Toluca would move to Guadalajara.
In June 2012, the airline launched a frequent flyer program called VClub.[10][non-primary source needed] In June 2012,PayPal became a payment alternative for the airline, enabling customers to purchase tickets directly from the airline's website.[11][non-primary source needed] In September 2012, Volaris announced a codeshare partnership with a German airline,Condor. Passengers of Condor are able to fly to more international destinations.[12]
On March 13, 2013, the airline celebrated its seventh anniversary, offering passengers 70% off all flights, and has done this every year since then.[13] Volaris announced the creation of a subsidiary,Volaris Costa Rica, in March 2016.[14][15] The subsidiary, based atJuan Santamaría International Airport in the Costa Rican capital of San José, started operations in November 2016.[16]
As of 2022, Volaris has faced multiple class-action lawsuits due to failure to properly refund flights canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[17][18]
In November 2008, Volaris announced acodeshare agreement with U.S.-based low-cost carrierSouthwest Airlines. In April 2009, Volaris announced the start of U.S.-bound flights out of Toluca and Guadalajara (initially toLos Angeles andOakland) to feed into thehubs of Southwest Airlines. AfterMexicana de Aviación's shutdown, Volaris took over many of Mexicana's international destinations and flights from itsfocus city, Guadalajara. The airline began using Guadalajara International Airport as an American gateway hub in late 2011.
In February 2013, Volaris and Southwest stopped codesharing. Southwest decided to focus more on the Mexican market withAirTran Airways, instead of codesharing with Volaris.[19][20] In January 2018, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with American low-cost carrierFrontier Airlines.
In June 2018, afterDonald Trump signed an order ending thefamily separation policy, Volaris announced that they would offer free flights for children to reunite with family members who had been deported.[21]
The airline is headquartered inSanta Fe,Álvaro Obregón,Mexico City.[37] It formerly had its headquarters on the first floor of Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 in Peña Blanca, Santa Fe.[38]
Volaris cabins are configured in a single class, high density layout.
Volaris does not provide complimentary meals or drinks on its flights. Passengers may purchase items on board from the "Entre nubes" buy on board program.[39] Onboard sales are an important part of the airline's ancillary revenue. Items such as snacks, pillows, blankets and Volaris-branded items are sold on board.[40] Volaris' monthly inflight magazine is called "V de Volaris".[41]
The airline had previously provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) in most aircraft, utilizing drop-down screens on its Airbus aircraft. By 2019, all use of IFE had been discontinued.[42]
VClub is Volaris' frequent flyer program. It gives members exclusive deals on flights, baggage and packages. The airline offers individual and group memberships, with the option to pay monthly or annually. Volaris offers VPass, similar to Spirit's "$9 Fare Club". It offers a set subscription price, and charges customers only for taxes and additional services.[43] Customers can book codeshare flights and earn points through fellow ultra-low-cost carrier,Frontier Airlines.[44]
Two Volarissafety videos were made: one featured actressClaudia Lizaldi[46] while one featured young children demonstrating the safety procedures.[47] As of 2018, both videos have been retired.
Every new plane has a person's name on it for example, one plane may have "Samuel" written on it, while another plane may have "Luisa" written on it. Recently, some planes have been named after families, e.g. ""Los Capistrán", or after new countries they begin service to, e.g. "Guatemala".
The Volaris logo, since its launch in 2005, has been a colorful, pixelated star against a black background.[48] It represents the north star,Polaris, from which the airline's name is derived.[49]
2013–2017 – "Tu decides" (You decide). Launched after the introduction of the "clean fare", which no longer included the cost of food, baggage, or seat selection in the airline's ticket prices.[53]
2015 – "Queremos que todo el mundo vuele" (We want the whole world to fly)[54]
2015–present – "Precios que te hacen viajar" (Prices that make you travel)[55]
2016 – "Avión a precio de camión" (The plane at the price of a bus)[56]
November 2018–present – "Don't just fly,vuela"[57]
On 8 December 2024, a passenger tried to enter the cockpit of a Volaris aircraft flying fromLeon toTijuana, forcing its diversion toGuadalajara, where the passenger was arrested after having been previously subdued by other passengers. The suspect said that he wanted to divert the aircraft to the United States after receiving a death threat fromdrug cartels.[65]
In November 2021 during the Dubai Airshow, Volaris announced an order for 39 Airbus A321neo. An existing order for 20 Airbus A320neo aircraft was converted into A321neo.[77]
On June 20, 2023, during theParis Air Show, Volaris announced an order for 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft.[citation needed]
^"Information about VolarisArchived 2016-04-09 atarchive.today." Volaris. Retrieved in April 9, 2016. "Antonio Dovalí Jaime, No. 70, Torre B, Piso 13, Colonia Zedec Santa Fe, Delegación Álvaro Obregón, C.P. 01210, México, Distrito Federal,"
^"ContáctanosArchived 2013-10-16 at theWayback Machine." Volaris. Retrieved on December 4, 2010. "Dirección de oficinas Volaris – Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 piso 1 Col. Santa Fe Peña Blanca México DF, Delegación Álvaro Obregón C.P. 01210"
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