RFNJ

So have been through MEX a few times already this year, coming in from JFK and heading to ACA. Some new things happening at T2, one of which through me off the last trip - so I decided to share.
OLDER NEWS FOR INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS:
Their "Trusted Traveller" Program works - but it is slower than the GOES kiosks, and there are only two machines. That being said, I have never seen anyone use them besides myself. I have taken to filling out the immigration card anyway. If I get to the immigration point and there is no line? I do that. But if there is a line, I go to the kiosk with fingers crossed. I have also had some agents be skeptical about the machine printed visa, as it does not have a stamp on it. But after explaining in was from the Viajero Confiable kiosk, they were fine with it.

They have done away with the customs forms and the red/green lights. That happened a little while ago. You might get stopped and asked where you are coming from/going to. But that is random.

NEWER DEVELOPMENTS
Now they are selectively sending bags through to your final destination without the pickup/dropoff routine they used to have. My luggage at the end of Feb (JFK-ACA, Aeromexico) was checking and given a red tag instead of the traditional green one. My bag never made it to the conveyor in MEX. When I went to lost luggage, I was informed of the new policy. Apparently they are doing random inspections behind the scenes (my bad was not searched). When I arrived in ACA, my bag arrived, no problems.

Double check at your original check in if the bags are going to be sent-on automatically or if you need to pick up/drop off. Apparently this is still not fully implemented on all flights/airlines.

bigpapa7272

So looking at going to huatulco in September will be arriving from Detroit and connecting in Mexico city to a delta code share operated by aeromexico connect is an hour and 20 minutes enough time to connect?

Section 107

Possibly - if all goes perfectly. I would put much more connect time in there - if your flight is delayed leaving Detroit or there is a slowdown in passport control at MEX you will be cutting it very close. I would leave at least two hours for the connection.

hurnik

I'm a bit confused, which is par for the course.

What if you have a connecting flight through MEX? do you still have to go through customs?
Flight in Question is this:

SJD -> MEX (AeroMexico)
MEX -> ATL (Delta)
ATL -> ALB (Delta)

All bookable via Delta.com
I thought you'd go through customs at ATL, not MEX.
But Delta's website has a particular flight with only a 45 min. connection in MEX, and by all accounts that's not a legal MCT? (Unless I'm reading things wrong, which is entirely possible).

icedancer

Hi, I'm considering flying:

SEA-MEX-BOG outbound, PTY-MEX-SEA return, all on Aeromexico. SEA-MEX leg arrives in MEX at 6:05am and onward flight departs at 8:30am (2h 25m total connection time). Is this enough time?

On the return, PTY-MEX-SEA, the layover is 2h 10m, with arrival at 2:30pm. Any worries there?

FYI, this trip will be taking place during typical spring break travel period for a lot of US universities. TIA!

Eastbay1K

You should be fine. AM to AM int'l connections, in both directions, have had thru luggage (no need to claim and re-drop). You'll still need to go through immigration and through the customs hall. There will be an agent (usually seated) right before you get to the baggage carousels and you can verify with the agent that you don't have to wait for your bags. After you pass through the customs hall, to the left is an escalator up to security. You'll need to show your connecting BP to use that lane.

If when you go down the escalator into the immigration hall, it looks like a lost sea of humanity, go to the middle (roped off) and ask if you can use the electronic kiosks. (For US and Canada passports, usually yes.)

Note that if for some reason northbound flights are once again subject to full customs inspection and bag claim, you'll be cutting it very close.

icedancer

d00little

YYC-MEX-LIM

- all on Aeromexico in June
- arrive in MEX at 07:00 on a Saturday morning, depart at 08:15
- I've tried calling in to get on a different routing because of my concern with the connection time, but Aeromexico says the connection is valid and I would be charged for a change
- plan on taking only carry-on so that it's one less thing to worry about, maybe ask the check-in agent to put us closer to the front also

tikchik

Does anyone have experience with AA-LATAM transfers in MEX and CUN? Will I collect my bags? Trying to fly DFW-SCL and connecting in Mexico is the cheapest option.

RFNJ

That is a very tight itinerary. I have made tighter, but I have been doing my route so frequently I can do it in my sleep.

If it were me, I would take the following precautions - double and triple check that your bags are going through. I think they will, but a verification that you do not have to do the pickup/dropoff when you do your check in will save you some worry. Make sure you fill out your immigration form on the flight down. There is no longer a customs form. Getting off the plane, find an agent immediately and ask for assistance going through immigration. I have seen them bring passengers to the front. You are going to be in the same terminal (T2) for both legs, and it is a relatively small terminal. I would look at the gate map before leaving, and try to get the gate information on your phone (I use Flight Board app) so you know exactly where you are going when you get through security.

It looks like the next flight (if you do miss yours) is 4:55pm. So you could be in for a long day. There is a 2:55 Avianca flight that they codeshare, so that might be an option. I hate to say this, because I don't like advocating this sort of thing. But with Aeromexico - if you do miss your flight, be aggressive about getting on the Avianca flight, kick up a bit of a shitstorm if needed. I have been on the multiple flight delays/cancellations with Aeromexico over the years. Even with Platinum status, I get the runaround if I remain passive.

dtphonehome

Eastbay1K

Mexico has no exit procedures other than that your departure card will be collected when boarding your flight to the USA. All AM flights are in T2 and there is no separate international area. On the same ticket your bags should be checked through.

dtphonehome

RFNJ

There is one new hiccup, but its not bad. For all flights going to the USA you are required to do a security interview, and then they put a sticker on the back of your passport. You will usually see a couple of people in orange or yellow vests circulating in your gate area. Go talk to one, preferably before people start lining up. Its the usual stuff - did you pack your own bags, not leave them unattended. They also ask about laptops, and if you had it repaired in the previous 6 months.

Without the sticker you cannot board.

RooseveltL