ltr

Our corporate travel booked us with a very slim layover on a Sunday evening. We are flying Aeromexico. What do you think the chances are that we will make the flight? I doubt our luggage will make it so we are going to carry on. Do we go through passport control in Cancun or Mexico City?

travelinhobo

I'm guessing you've never flown int'l before because the rule is the same for every airport in the world: the first airport you arrive in in a new country is where you pass thru passport and immigration.

Sundays aren't busy at the MC Airport. Compared to the week. Since you don't state where you're coming from and which terminal you're flying into and out of, it's rather difficult to answer your other question. If your flight is Aero to Aero, then just simply let the stewerdess know when you get off that you've got little time to make your connection and they can contact the airplane. If you're switching airlines, then get good info prior to getting off the plane and don't dawdle. Next time, look at your connecting times prior to letting someone else book the flight for you.

ltr

Thanks for the response. Perhaps my question was worded poorly.

We are returning to Los Angeles from Cancun through Mexico City all on Aeromexico.

Cancun to Mexico city leaving 6:50pm arriving at 8:40PM
Mexico City to LAX leaving at 9:22PM arriving at 11:45PM

It appears it should all be in terminal 2 since that is what Aeromexico uses.

I have flown international about 15 times but usually European routes so I am no expert on what to expect on a connecting flight in Mexico city.

If I could have reviewed my itinerary before they booked, I would certainly not have booked this flight but now I am trying to see if it is even feasible to make the connection flight, which is why I am asking what I can expect in Mexico City as a delay. Will there be an additional passport check in Mexico City since that is the last connecting flight from Mexico to the US or will the boarding pass clear us to just catch the next flight?

jamie99

You only do Immigration and Customs when entering a country, at least those I have traveled to including Mexico.

NewbE

<the rule is the same for every airport in the world: the first airport you arrive in in a new country is where you pass thru passport and immigration.>

Not true, at least not universally. The last time we flew to Mexico, we flew through Mexico City but did not pass through customs until we landed in Oaxaca City. On the return, customs was at the departure airport, and the entry point in the US, but again not in Mexico City in the middle.

So while 42 minutes is tight by any measure, it should be doable if there are no delays and if you do not have to pass through customs in Mexico City--even though i did not, I can't say if it's always done the same way.

hopefulist

Try to sit as near the front as possible - can save you 10-20 minutes or more. ¡Buena suerte!

suze

<On the return, customs was at the departure airport>

I have never heard of customs at a departure airport.

Stewbear

Suze- At some airports the do a hand search of you luggage rather than X-ray. So not really customs per say.
Also if you are transferring planes in Mexico you retain your visa card until your final flight which you surrender as you board.

suze

I understand that, Stewbear. There is various airline and airport security outgoing, but it is not "customs". That is upon entering a country, not leaving one.

NewbE

Thank you, Stewbear, for the clarification. It was a hand-search and x-ray at the departure airport, not customs. On the return, customs was at the US destination airport. Nothing happened at the layover airport in Mexico City, was the actual point.