**** Show International Transit in MEX
Jan 2, 2022, 3:14 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,674
I did fill out the online form - but when I printed it out it was on two separate pages - immigration officer said that this printout is not valid. both pages need to be on the same paper - so I would have needed to print out the two pages on the same piece of paper. first page on the front, second page on the back.
Jan 2, 2022, 6:35 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,338
I did fill out the online form - but when I printed it out it was on two separate pages - immigration officer said that this printout is not valid. both pages need to be on the same paper - so I would have needed to print out the two pages on the same piece of paper. first page on the front, second page on the back.
And I will also fill out a form manually on the airplane as backup
Jan 2, 2022, 7:09 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,808
I did fill out the online form - but when I printed it out it was on two separate pages - immigration officer said that this printout is not valid. both pages need to be on the same paper - so I would have needed to print out the two pages on the same piece of paper. first page on the front, second page on the back.
Jan 2, 2022, 8:45 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Arlington, VA USA
Posts: 670
Jan 2, 2022, 9:13 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,808
Jan 2, 2022, 11:43 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,960
Hmmm, maybe it's because we were transiting on Christmas Day, but there didn't seem to be a priority lane. There was a desk sing posted with "Airline Crew/Diplomats." Is that the priority line?
I saw this happen only once during my two hours in line. Part of the issue is that it was Christmas Day and I think many immigration officers were on leave, so the Mexican citizens line was also full 90% of the time. The one time it was empty the allowed about 15-20 people into the Mexican Nationals line and from that point on, there was always a line even for Mexican Nationals.
I would not go that far. Aeromexico has many advantages. It's entire widebody fleet is 787s. No ancient widebodies that all the big 3 USA carriers fly. It has a high proportion of modern 737-MAX aircraft and I was impressed by the one I flew on. They didn't go with OASIS interiors like say AA on their narrowbodies which means seat back displays, no mini-restrooms, and decent pitch even on a regular economy seat (business was sold out so our choice was a row of regular economy to ourselves or split single premium economy seats). Their soft product was pretty darn good. Their flight attendants English is better than the vast majority of airlines not based in native English speaking countries. Their amenity kit blew away the "Flagship Business" amenity kit I got on AA on the way to Chile. They served not one but two tasty FULL hot meals on a 8 hour flight between SCL and MEX. Could their flight attendants be more friendly, yes. Customer service in general sucked, and transit sucked but the latter was on the Mexican government. If Aeromexico could only fix the transit issue, they could go from average to above average. Fixing the customer service issue could make them good or even great with their modern fleet.
I saw this happen only once during my two hours in line. Part of the issue is that it was Christmas Day and I think many immigration officers were on leave, so the Mexican citizens line was also full 90% of the time. The one time it was empty the allowed about 15-20 people into the Mexican Nationals line and from that point on, there was always a line even for Mexican Nationals.
I would not go that far. Aeromexico has many advantages. It's entire widebody fleet is 787s. No ancient widebodies that all the big 3 USA carriers fly. It has a high proportion of modern 737-MAX aircraft and I was impressed by the one I flew on. They didn't go with OASIS interiors like say AA on their narrowbodies which means seat back displays, no mini-restrooms, and decent pitch even on a regular economy seat (business was sold out so our choice was a row of regular economy to ourselves or split single premium economy seats). Their soft product was pretty darn good. Their flight attendants English is better than the vast majority of airlines not based in native English speaking countries. Their amenity kit blew away the "Flagship Business" amenity kit I got on AA on the way to Chile. They served not one but two tasty FULL hot meals on a 8 hour flight between SCL and MEX. Could their flight attendants be more friendly, yes. Customer service in general sucked, and transit sucked but the latter was on the Mexican government. If Aeromexico could only fix the transit issue, they could go from average to above average. Fixing the customer service issue could make them good or even great with their modern fleet.
Jan 5, 2022, 7:51 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
I did fill out the online form - but when I printed it out it was on two separate pages - immigration officer said that this printout is not valid. both pages need to be on the same paper - so I would have needed to print out the two pages on the same piece of paper. first page on the front, second page on the back.
Jan 8, 2022, 9:52 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,599
Arrival on 2 Jan - you needed the "real" form. Escalators were off as to not kill people because within a couple of minutes after I walked down the stairs, the line was past the top of the stairs. As this is the only country in the world without any entrance requirements except an online "I'm not sick" form that no one verifies, arrivals is one huge superspreader event. My baggage carousel had 4 flights of luggage. Customs line went way back to the entrance to the separated carousel. At least the immigration line moved fairly quickly (under 45 minutes), only to wait and wait for luggage.
Departure on 6 Jan - 90 minutes to get to a Elite/J check in agent. Total quilombo. Arrival 4 hours before flight - had 40 minutes lounge time for gate arrival 60 minutes pre-departure. Many didn't have proper docs to USA (probably connecting). Pre-departure email from AM still shows 72 Hour covid test - not day prior. 6:45p gate arrival for 7:45 flight - first announcement probably around 8-something, and boarded at 9pm.
Crew was miserable. Initial wine pour was maybe 75ml. I asked for more when he was clearing trays, and greeted with a scowl, but he obliged with another tiny pour. No view of FAs again until I rang the call bell about 3 hours into the flight for some water. You'd have thought I just killed his first born child. Otherwise, absolutely no service after the meal.
Departure on 6 Jan - 90 minutes to get to a Elite/J check in agent. Total quilombo. Arrival 4 hours before flight - had 40 minutes lounge time for gate arrival 60 minutes pre-departure. Many didn't have proper docs to USA (probably connecting). Pre-departure email from AM still shows 72 Hour covid test - not day prior. 6:45p gate arrival for 7:45 flight - first announcement probably around 8-something, and boarded at 9pm.
Crew was miserable. Initial wine pour was maybe 75ml. I asked for more when he was clearing trays, and greeted with a scowl, but he obliged with another tiny pour. No view of FAs again until I rang the call bell about 3 hours into the flight for some water. You'd have thought I just killed his first born child. Otherwise, absolutely no service after the meal.
Jan 9, 2022, 7:31 am
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,188
Arrival on 2 Jan - you needed the "real" form. Escalators were off as to not kill people because within a couple of minutes after I walked down the stairs, the line was past the top of the stairs. As this is the only country in the world without any entrance requirements except an online "I'm not sick" form that no one verifies, arrivals is one huge superspreader event. My baggage carousel had 4 flights of luggage. Customs line went way back to the entrance to the separated carousel. At least the immigration line moved fairly quickly (under 45 minutes), only to wait and wait for luggage.
Departure on 6 Jan - 90 minutes to get to a Elite/J check in agent. Total quilombo. Arrival 4 hours before flight - had 40 minutes lounge time for gate arrival 60 minutes pre-departure. Many didn't have proper docs to USA (probably connecting). Pre-departure email from AM still shows 72 Hour covid test - not day prior. 6:45p gate arrival for 7:45 flight - first announcement probably around 8-something, and boarded at 9pm.
Crew was miserable. Initial wine pour was maybe 75ml. I asked for more when he was clearing trays, and greeted with a scowl, but he obliged with another tiny pour. No view of FAs again until I rang the call bell about 3 hours into the flight for some water. You'd have thought I just killed his first born child. Otherwise, absolutely no service after the meal.
Departure on 6 Jan - 90 minutes to get to a Elite/J check in agent. Total quilombo. Arrival 4 hours before flight - had 40 minutes lounge time for gate arrival 60 minutes pre-departure. Many didn't have proper docs to USA (probably connecting). Pre-departure email from AM still shows 72 Hour covid test - not day prior. 6:45p gate arrival for 7:45 flight - first announcement probably around 8-something, and boarded at 9pm.
Crew was miserable. Initial wine pour was maybe 75ml. I asked for more when he was clearing trays, and greeted with a scowl, but he obliged with another tiny pour. No view of FAs again until I rang the call bell about 3 hours into the flight for some water. You'd have thought I just killed his first born child. Otherwise, absolutely no service after the meal.
Last edited by Mama; Jan 9, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Jan 12, 2022, 1:00 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Arrival Experience and Question about FMM form departing MEX
MEX arrivals is indeed a three-hour affair for those arriving on early morning flights from South America. In the afternoon, there is not much of a wait.
There is a lot of good advice up-thread. The only thing I can add is "Arrive with carry-on luggage only." I'd rather do daily clothes washing in my hotel bathroom sink than checking luggage.
When arriving into MEX from South America, I found it easy to fill out the "real" FMM form while waiting in line. I just have to remember to bring a pen. I either get the form on-board the arriving plane, or ask my wife to go fetch a couple while I hold our place in line.
On my out-bound through MEX, I arrive on a domestic AM flight from TIJ. I get the FMM form passing through the land bridge into Tijuana airport from USA. The immigration officer stamps the entry form, and it is (or was) collected at the boarding gate at MEX from my flight to Quito.
On my last trip in May, there was no Mexican immigration officer on the TIJ airport land bridge, and no one asked for the form at the boarding gate in MEX airport. Is this a change for people transiting MEX? It used to be if you lost the exit form, you had to exit out through immigration at MEX and re-enter just to get the FMM to board your flight.
There is a lot of good advice up-thread. The only thing I can add is "Arrive with carry-on luggage only." I'd rather do daily clothes washing in my hotel bathroom sink than checking luggage.
When arriving into MEX from South America, I found it easy to fill out the "real" FMM form while waiting in line. I just have to remember to bring a pen. I either get the form on-board the arriving plane, or ask my wife to go fetch a couple while I hold our place in line.
On my out-bound through MEX, I arrive on a domestic AM flight from TIJ. I get the FMM form passing through the land bridge into Tijuana airport from USA. The immigration officer stamps the entry form, and it is (or was) collected at the boarding gate at MEX from my flight to Quito.
On my last trip in May, there was no Mexican immigration officer on the TIJ airport land bridge, and no one asked for the form at the boarding gate in MEX airport. Is this a change for people transiting MEX? It used to be if you lost the exit form, you had to exit out through immigration at MEX and re-enter just to get the FMM to board your flight.
Jan 13, 2022, 7:37 am
#26
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,741
I fill it online and then print it , so it saves me few minutes of time
Jan 16, 2022, 2:35 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2020
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,010
Flying to MEX from US for a 2 hour layover before flying to Cabo.
These recent posts are really making it seem like I will miss my connecting flight because 2 hours won't be enough in Mexico to transit. I will only have a carry-on bag. Can someone let me know if I will still run into this immigration mess?
These recent posts are really making it seem like I will miss my connecting flight because 2 hours won't be enough in Mexico to transit. I will only have a carry-on bag. Can someone let me know if I will still run into this immigration mess?
Jan 16, 2022, 2:58 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 131
Flying to MEX from US for a 2 hour layover before flying to Cabo.
These recent posts are really making it seem like I will miss my connecting flight because 2 hours won't be enough in Mexico to transit. I will only have a carry-on bag. Can someone let me know if I will still run into this immigration mess?
These recent posts are really making it seem like I will miss my connecting flight because 2 hours won't be enough in Mexico to transit. I will only have a carry-on bag. Can someone let me know if I will still run into this immigration mess?
Jan 16, 2022, 8:54 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: TOL
Posts: 733
Flying to MEX from US for a 2 hour layover before flying to Cabo.
These recent posts are really making it seem like I will miss my connecting flight because 2 hours won't be enough in Mexico to transit. I will only have a carry-on bag. Can someone let me know if I will still run into this immigration mess?
These recent posts are really making it seem like I will miss my connecting flight because 2 hours won't be enough in Mexico to transit. I will only have a carry-on bag. Can someone let me know if I will still run into this immigration mess?