3 U.S. Airports Land New Nonstop Flights To One Of Mexico’s Biggest Cities

Travelers in three U.S. hubs will soon have a new way to reach one of Mexico’s largest cities without a layover. Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris is expanding its U.S. network this fall, with three nonstop routes to Guadalajara scheduled to start in October.

The expansion could also give travelers more options beyond Guadalajara. As Volaris’ largest hub, the city offers connections to dozens of destinations across Mexico. However, Americans thinking about taking advantage of the new service should also be aware that the state of Jalisco, where Guadalajara is located, is currently under a Level 3 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.

3 U.S. Airports Are Getting New Nonstop Flights To Guadalajara

On September 10, Volaris announced it will add nonstop Guadalajara service from Boston, Nashville, and Raleigh–Durham. The airline said operations on the three routes will begin in October.

According to Mexico News Daily, Boston will receive the most frequent service, with four flights per week. Nashville and Raleigh–Durham will each have three flights per week. Boston and Nashville flights will begin on October 15. RDU says its first Volaris flight to Guadalajara will depart one day later on October 16, with service operating on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

RDU also says this will be Volaris’ debut at the airport and its third nonstop destination in Mexico, in addition to Cancun and Mexico City.

“The nonstop service to Guadalajara on Volaris will link two dynamic and innovative regions and create new opportunities for business, collaboration and growth. It will also strengthen connections between our vibrant communities by making it easier for Triangle-area travelers to visit family and friends,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, in a news release.

Travelers in the area have wanted another Mexican destination for a while. When RDU announced nonstop Aeromexico service in Mexico City in 2023, one Reddit commenter responded, “Please add Guadalajara next on your list!”

Then, when rumors that Volaris could finally make that happen resurfaced last month, responses remained enthusiastic.

• “Fingers crossed they don’t have to cancel it this time!”
• “Awesome!”

The new highly anticipated routes to Guadalajara are part of a much larger expansion, though. Volaris is adding several new U.S. connections to the city, its largest hub.

Guadalajara Is Becoming Volaris’ Major Gateway To The U.S.

Starting in October, Volaris says Guadalajara will serve more than 65 destinations and handle over 100 of the airline’s flights each day, so Boston, Nashville, and Raleigh–Durham are only three pieces of the broader expansion.

The carrier had already announced new Guadalajara routes to Atlanta and Washington Dulles, bringing the total number of new U.S. connections to five. Those two routes are also launching earlier than planned, with service moved up from December to October 1.

For Jalisco tourism officials, the expansion comes at the right time, as it gives travelers in several major U.S. markets more direct access to the state.

“With the launch of five routes, Volaris strengthens Jalisco’s connectivity to the United States through direct connections to strategic cities such as Washington, Atlanta, Raleigh, Boston, and Nashville. This expansion represents an important step forward for the state, as it brings our destinations closer to key points and expands direct connection options to one of our main international markets,” said Michelle Fridman Hirsch, Jalisco’s Secretary of Tourism.

However, before the new routes were officially announced, one Reddit commenter in the Raleigh–Durham area wondered whether Jalisco’s current U.S. State Department travel advisory could have influenced the timing, writing, “The rumors are back again. I could see them wanting to launch RDU now in case Mexico goes down to category 2 again.”

Jalisco Is Currently Under A Level 3 Travel Advisory

Neither Volaris nor the State Department has indicated that the airline’s expansion is connected to a potential advisory change. For now, the State Department advises Americans to “reconsider travel” to Jalisco, where Guadalajara is located.

Travel Advisory Levels:

According to the advisory, violence involving criminal groups has occurred in tourist areas of Guadalajara, and shootings between these groups have injured or killed bystanders. There have also been reports of U.S. citizens being kidnapped in the area.

“Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault, and robbery. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico,” the State Department website states.

While the State Department still has a Level 3 advisory in effect for Jalisco, it currently lists “no restrictions on travel in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area.”

For travelers thinking about taking one of Volaris’ new flights, the agency recommends that Americans first enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), review security information before leaving, and consider purchasing travel insurance that includes “evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.”

TheTravel has contacted Volaris for more information about the new routes.