British Airways and Mexican low-cost carrier Viva have formalized a codeshare partnership that significantly expands the UK flag carrier's reach within Mexico. The agreement, announced this week, enables British Airways customers to book connecting flights to 13 Mexican destinations—including Guadalajara and Monterrey—via Mexico City and Cancun, all under a single British Airways flight code.
The new arrangement simplifies the booking process for travelers from London and other European gateways. Passengers can now purchase their entire journey in one transaction through ba.com, eliminating the need to piece together separate tickets with different carriers. This is a notable step for British Airways, which has long served Mexico City from London Heathrow but has lacked a robust domestic feed beyond the capital.
Earning and redemption benefits
Members of The British Airways Club, the airline's loyalty program, will earn Avios and tier points on these codeshare flights. This is a key incentive for frequent flyers, as it allows them to accumulate rewards on domestic Mexican segments—something that was previously not possible with Viva. The partnership also opens up new opportunities for Club members to redeem Avios for travel within Mexico, enhancing the value of the program.
For Mexican travelers, the codeshare provides seamless connections to British Airways' extensive global network, which spans more than 200 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This is particularly significant for business and leisure travelers from Guadalajara, Monterrey, and other major Mexican cities who previously had to connect through US hubs or fly with other carriers to reach Europe.
Viva's role and network
Viva, which describes itself as Mexico's most affordable low-cost airline, operates a fleet of 110 Airbus aircraft and serves more than 60 destinations in Mexico and beyond. The airline's 'Flex-SÍ-bility' option, which allows passengers to change their travel plans, will be available on codeshare flights, offering added flexibility for travelers.
The partnership is a strategic move for both carriers. For British Airways, it deepens its presence in the Mexican market, a key source of premium traffic to London and onward to Europe. For Viva, it provides access to British Airways' global sales channels and frequent flyer base, potentially driving more international traffic onto its domestic routes.
Executive perspectives
Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at British Airways, welcomed the partnership, stating that it would "open up more of Mexico to our customers and simplify their travel planning." He emphasized that the codeshare aligns with British Airways' strategy to offer more choice and connectivity to its customers.
Javier Suarez, Executive Vice President and Chief Planning and Alliances Officer at Viva, highlighted the seamless connections the agreement will provide for passengers traveling to Europe and beyond. "This partnership is a testament to our commitment to offering affordable and convenient travel options," he said.
Booking and launch timeline
Customers can book the codeshare flights now, with travel commencing on 28 March 2027. The agreement builds on British Airways' long-standing presence in Mexico, which has been a key market for the airline since it began serving Mexico City in the 1970s.
The announcement comes as the global aviation industry continues to adapt to shifting travel patterns. Middle East conflict reroutes European long-haul traffic have prompted airlines to seek alternative markets, and Mexico's strong recovery in tourism and business travel makes it an attractive destination. This codeshare is a timely move for British Airways to capture more of that demand.
For travel agents and tour operators, the new codeshare simplifies the process of booking Mexican itineraries for clients. It also opens up opportunities for packaging multi-city trips, such as combining Mexico City with beach destinations like Cancun or colonial cities like Guadalajara. The ability to earn Avios on these segments will also appeal to corporate travel managers looking to maximize loyalty benefits.
British Airways' partnership with Viva is part of a broader trend of legacy carriers teaming up with low-cost airlines to expand their regional networks. Similar collaborations, such as Qatar Airways' upcoming Doha–Western Sydney service, highlight how airlines are leveraging partnerships to enhance connectivity. For British Airways, this move strengthens its position in the competitive transatlantic and Latin American markets.
As the travel industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this one are essential for airlines to remain competitive. By offering more destinations and seamless connections, British Airways and Viva are positioning themselves to capture a larger share of the growing demand for travel between Mexico and Europe.
