Transiting through Mexico City Airport during COVID
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
Transiting through Mexico City Airport during COVID
I would like to get folks thoughts on transiting through Mexico City airport during the age of COVID. MEX does not have a transit ability so everyone clears immigration and customs and as such COVID checks. I know that as of last year Delta will transfer bags to AreoMexico so no bags to collect. But given we are living in the age of COVID I would like to hedge my travel bets. We can fly through ATL but it would to be a day earlier or later. Not really wanting a day later as it removes a buffer for late arriving baggage. We will have both vaccine and tests results for travel as we will need them for our final destination. It is was during normal times I would not be posing the question, especially cause I can get seats up front for a reasonable amount. But these are not normal times.
So what has been folk's transiting experiences ???
So what has been folk's transiting experiences ???
#2
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: EZE
Programs: UA Gold,Delta Gold Bonvoy Titanium Elite, HH Diamond , AA Platinum, EENational, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,548
I would like to get folks thoughts on transiting through Mexico City airport during the age of COVID. MEX does not have a transit ability so everyone clears immigration and customs and as such COVID checks. I know that as of last year Delta will transfer bags to AreoMexico so no bags to collect. But given we are living in the age of COVID I would like to hedge my travel bets. We can fly through ATL but it would to be a day earlier or later. Not really wanting a day later as it removes a buffer for late arriving baggage. We will have both vaccine and tests results for travel as we will need them for our final destination. It is was during normal times I would not be posing the question, especially cause I can get seats up front for a reasonable amount. But these are not normal times.
So what has been folk's transiting experiences ???
So what has been folk's transiting experiences ???
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Earth (non-US)
Programs: NW Gold->CO->UA->DL PM
Posts: 1,339
I would like to get folks thoughts on transiting through Mexico City airport during the age of COVID. MEX does not have a transit ability so everyone clears immigration and customs and as such COVID checks. I know that as of last year Delta will transfer bags to AreoMexico so no bags to collect. But given we are living in the age of COVID I would like to hedge my travel bets. We can fly through ATL but it would to be a day earlier or later. Not really wanting a day later as it removes a buffer for late arriving baggage. We will have both vaccine and tests results for travel as we will need them for our final destination. It is was during normal times I would not be posing the question, especially cause I can get seats up front for a reasonable amount. But these are not normal times.
So what has been folk's transiting experiences ???
So what has been folk's transiting experiences ???
note, if you're connecting to a domestic flight, you'll have to claim and recheck, though it looks like your final destination is not Mexico.
There is a temperature check otherwise no one has even checked my health form at AICM-- at least, not for those of us coming off First.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NJ
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 868
I haven't done it during COVID, but I did have an international-to-international transfer from AM to DL through MEX (LIM-ATL was canceled, and the best DL could offer was LIM-MEX-ATL). There was the small hassle of going through immigration, and a heads up that you do have to get your bag at the claim and drop it at the recheck belt, but it honestly wasn't a huge deal. I wouldn't sweat it.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
What are your concerns? I saw nothing unusual today--
note, if you're connecting to a domestic flight, you'll have to claim and recheck, though it looks like your final destination is not Mexico.
There is a temperature check otherwise no one has even checked my health form at AICM-- at least, not for those of us coming off First.
note, if you're connecting to a domestic flight, you'll have to claim and recheck, though it looks like your final destination is not Mexico.
There is a temperature check otherwise no one has even checked my health form at AICM-- at least, not for those of us coming off First.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mexico
Programs: AM Plat, UA Plat, AA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Amex Plat
Posts: 238
I use MEX all the time and 3hr50 is a LOT of time. You'll be fine, especially if you're connecting within Terminal 2. (airlines in T2: Delta, Aeromexico, Copa, Latam, Aeromar). For a T1-T2 connection you have to take a landside train.
MEX changed policy last year and now connecting bags are checked through to the final destination. However, you might want to confirm about your specific bag at the connections desk.
MEX changed policy last year and now connecting bags are checked through to the final destination. However, you might want to confirm about your specific bag at the connections desk.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I use MEX all the time and 3hr50 is a LOT of time. You'll be fine, especially if you're connecting within Terminal 2. (airlines in T2: Delta, Aeromexico, Copa, Latam, Aeromar). For a T1-T2 connection you have to take a landside train.
MEX changed policy last year and now connecting bags are checked through to the final destination. However, you might want to confirm about your specific bag at the connections desk.
MEX changed policy last year and now connecting bags are checked through to the final destination. However, you might want to confirm about your specific bag at the connections desk.
When did LATAM move terminals?
#9
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
It was quite the brisk walk/run through T2 for this fat guy.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
At this point I have swapped our flights around to so to transit through MEX to UIO then GPS.
Thanks all.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
I use MEX all the time and 3hr50 is a LOT of time. You'll be fine, especially if you're connecting within Terminal 2. (airlines in T2: Delta, Aeromexico, Copa, Latam, Aeromar). For a T1-T2 connection you have to take a landside train.
MEX changed policy last year and now connecting bags are checked through to the final destination. However, you might want to confirm about your specific bag at the connections desk.
MEX changed policy last year and now connecting bags are checked through to the final destination. However, you might want to confirm about your specific bag at the connections desk.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I was also under this impression HOWEVER Not sure if that was a temporary thing or it never was implemented because this past week my girlfriend flying JFK-MEX-UIO all on AM had to collect her luggage for the security check and then it was rechecked. (at JFK they said a rep would great her (she was in J) but that was for the birds and I didn't believe it when they told me that) Remained airside the whole time but was really a pain in the rear. She is 5'0 and had 2 75 lb luggages and 2 carry ons which I helped with at JFK and her brother helped at UIO but on her own at MEX wasn't fun (there were no luggage carts) and with that in mind in the future a word to the wise would to go out of your way to avoid MEX when traveling with a lot of luggage. The late night connections right now at MEX aren't great anyway with extremely limited lounge options after 22:00 for a 1:10 departure.
Also this was implemented. Just flew via MEX three weeks ago. There's signs saying bags will be transferred.
Did she see bags on claim belt and assume she needed to collect? Theres a big sign as you enter baggage hall that clearly states bags will transfer.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
I'm confused. She couldn't have remained airside. This is only possible for domestic to domestic flights.
Also this was implemented. Just flew via MEX three weeks ago. There's signs saying bags will be transferred.
Did she see bags on claim belt and assume she needed to collect? Theres a big sign as you enter baggage hall that clearly states bags will transfer.
Also this was implemented. Just flew via MEX three weeks ago. There's signs saying bags will be transferred.
Did she see bags on claim belt and assume she needed to collect? Theres a big sign as you enter baggage hall that clearly states bags will transfer.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mexico
Programs: AM Plat, UA Plat, AA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Amex Plat
Posts: 238
Usually, there are random guys with white shirts with an "UNION" logo stitched on them. These guys are from the porters' union. They are not allowed to actively offer their services anymore, but you can ask "żMe ayuda con el equipaje?" and they will materialize a dolly and do all the heavy lifting. Tip is discretionary, I'd say 50 pesos per item (or 5 usd, they expect more if it's in us bills).
#15
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: TK E+, RJ S, AZ E
Posts: 1,869
Traveling IST-MEX-IAH on 2 different PNR on TK and then UA. Baggage will be tagged all the way to IAH. TK181 seems to be on schedule.
Is a 1 hour 25 minutes transit in MEX doable?
Is a 1 hour 25 minutes transit in MEX doable?
Last edited by flyerby; Aug 15, 2021 at 3:42 am