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Viva Aerobus: Online Check-In and Boarding Pass
Viva Aerobus is a Mexican low-cost carrier built on a stripped-down base fare where every service is paid for separately. Check-in is one of those steps where a timing mistake can be costly: once the online deadline passes, you have to go to the airport counter, and counter check-in is charged on most flights. This page brings together the practical rules before departure: when check-in opens and closes, how to get your boarding pass, and what still matters at the airport regarding documents and luggage.
When Viva Aerobus check-in opens and closes
Exact times appear on your booking confirmation and can vary by airport and destination. According to the airline's public information, online check-in generally opens several days before departure and closes a few hours before the scheduled take-off time: make it a habit to check in as soon as it becomes available rather than waiting until the night before.
At the airport, Viva Aerobus counters close well before boarding, and the cut-off time is generally earlier on international flights than on domestic Mexican flights. Treat this deadline as firm: a passenger who arrives after the counter has closed loses their flight.
A few points of caution:
- Check your booking for the exact counter cut-off time for your flight, as it takes precedence over any general estimate.
- Allow extra time at busy airports (Cancún, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana), where security and bag drop lines can be long.
- On an international flight, expect document checks to take longer than on a domestic Mexican route.
Checking in online or through the Viva app
Check-in is done through the airline's website, vivaaerobus.com, or the Viva Aerobus mobile app. You'll need the booking reference and the passenger's name exactly as it appears on the ticket, then confirm the passengers on the booking and, where applicable, the requested travel information.
Two situations call for extra care. First, seating: without a purchased seat, one is assigned automatically, and travelers on the same booking are not guaranteed to sit together. Second, international flights, especially to or from the United States, where passport details (number, nationality, expiry date) are requested during check-in and must be entered without typos.
Certain special situations cannot be handled remotely and are referred to the counter, for example when specific assistance or a document check is required. If your trip falls outside the standard case, check with the airline before relying on remote check-in.
The Viva Aerobus boarding pass
Once check-in is confirmed, the boarding pass is sent by email and remains available in the app. The mobile format is accepted on the airline's flights; at certain airports or for certain international destinations, a printed or counter-issued document may be required.
Check these details as soon as you receive it, since a correction is easier before departure day than at the counter:
| To check | Why |
|---|---|
| Spelling of the name | Must exactly match the ID presented |
| Flight number and date | A common mistake on round trips and multiple bookings |
| Departure airport | Mexico City and its area are served by several distinct airports |
If the boarding pass doesn't arrive by email, check your spam folder, then log back into your booking: the document can be downloaded again from there. If needed, Viva Aerobus agents can reissue it at the airport, an operation that may be charged like a counter check-in.
At the airport: documents, luggage, and counter fees
Even when checked in remotely, a passenger with checked luggage still has to go through bag drop, which closes at the same time as the counter. Viva Aerobus applies a strict low-cost policy: the base fare only includes one small personal item that must fit under the seat, while a larger cabin bag and checked luggage are purchased as extras, and the fare bought at the airport is higher than at booking. Weigh and measure your bags before leaving, as gate checks are common.
On the documents side, a valid official ID is required for domestic Mexican flights, and a valid passport plus, if needed, a visa or electronic authorization for international flights. Minors traveling within Mexico are subject to specific rules that are worth checking with the airline before departure.
One last useful point: on most flights, the airline charges for check-in done at the airport counter. The amount depends on the route and when you show up. Travelers who would rather not handle this themselves can turn to iBoardingPass, which checks in as soon as it opens and sends the boarding pass by email.
Common problems and what to do
Is online check-in rejecting your booking? First, make sure you're within your flight's check-in window and that the details entered exactly match those on the booking.
- Booking reference not recognized: try the email used at purchase; if the flight was booked by a third party, ask them for the exact reference.
- Misspelled name: this cannot be corrected during check-in, it goes through Viva Aerobus customer service and may involve a fee.
- Changed or cancelled flight: check-in stays blocked until the new flight is confirmed on the booking.
- Check-in closed: only the airport counter remains available, within its opening hours, along with the corresponding fees.
- Connecting flights: flights bought as two separate bookings must be checked in separately, and luggage has to be collected and redropped.
Frequently asked questions
When can I check in for a Viva Aerobus flight?
Online check-in opens several days before departure and closes a few hours before take-off. Exact times depend on the airport and destination: the time that applies to your flight is shown on your booking confirmation. The safest approach is to check in as soon as it becomes available.
Is Viva Aerobus counter check-in charged?
On most flights, yes: the airline charges for check-in done at the airport counter, including simply reissuing a boarding pass. The amount varies by route and timing. Check-in completed online within the deadline is not subject to these fees.
Is a boarding pass on my phone accepted?
The mobile format, in the Viva Aerobus app or from the email you received, is accepted on the airline's flights. At certain airports and for certain international destinations, a paper document or one validated at the counter may be requested: check with the airline for your itinerary.
What should I do if I didn't receive my boarding pass by email?
First check your spam folder and the email address entered at booking. The document can still be downloaded by logging back into your booking on the website or app. Failing that, an agent can reissue it at the airport, usually for a fee.
How long before my flight should I arrive at the airport?
The counter cut-off time is shown on your booking and varies by airport and destination: arrive early enough to meet it, allowing extra time at busy airports like Cancún, Mexico City, or Tijuana. Counters and bag drop close well before boarding, and no exceptions are made once they close.
Can I check in online with checked luggage?
Yes, online check-in is possible, but you'll still need to go through bag drop at the airport before the cut-off time. At Viva Aerobus, checked luggage and larger cabin bags are paid extras, and the fare charged at the airport is higher than one booked in advance.
Can I choose my seat during check-in?
Seat selection is a paid service at Viva Aerobus. Without a purchase, a seat is assigned automatically during check-in, with no guarantee that passengers on the same booking will be seated together. To sit together, seats need to be booked at the time of booking or before check-in.
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The information on this page is taken from the airlines' official websites and dated item by item.