Mexican Budget Line, Viva Aerobus, Launches Daily New York-Mexico City Flights

Mexico’s Viva Aerobus is positioning itself as a low-fare alternative to traditional airlines, with the launch of its first flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Mexico City – for roughly $100 one way.

The airline, which has been in business for more than ten years, operates a fleet of single-aisle Airbus A320s.

The carrier already flies to the U.S., with service from points in Mexico to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Houston, as well as flights between Cancun and Newark.

At four and a half hours, the new flight to New York’s JFK will be the longest in its route network, Juan Carlos Zuazua, the carrier’s CEO, said at a press briefing in New York.

Fares will be as low as $106 one way, he said. The carrier’s website shows a range of prices, with the lowest category of fares running between $107 and $233 one way, depending on the day, but as high as $714 one-way during peak travel season.

He noted that with the new service to JFK airport, the upstart is joining a crowded field: there are more than 15 daily flights between the New York area and Mexico City. Other airlines flying the route include Mexican lines Aeromexico, Volaris and InterJet; as well as Delta, which has a joint venture with Aeromexico.

JetBlue is jumping into the fray as well, and will begin daily service between its main hub at JFK and Mexico City on Oct. 25.