Flying from Mexico is easy. The country’s 80 airports connect millions of travellers each year to destinations all over the world. So whether you’re heading to Cancún for a weekend or Tokyo for a long-haul adventure, you’ll find plenty of choice.
Domestic fares often start from under $60, while international services link Mexico directly with more than 200 cities across Asia, Europe and beyond.
Three main Mexican airlines run most local routes, with global partners helping you reach even further. Whatever your travel plan or budget, Mexico offers a flight to match.
Mexico City is the heart of domestic travel, connecting to major cities across the country. Top routes include:
You’ll also find plenty of regional routes that support local travel, tourism and business:
The United States is by far the top international destination from Mexico. Business travellers tend to fly out of Mexico City, while Cancún takes the lead for leisure trips. Top US routes from Mexico City include:
Canada’s seeing more interest, especially for winter travel. From Mexico City, you can fly to:
Spain is still the main gateway to Europe from Mexico, with Madrid seeing 170+ flights each month, all year round. You’ll also find seasonal flights to Barcelona, and a direct Guadalajara-Madrid route that launched in 2021.
Other popular European destinations:
Colombia leads the way in South America, with strong links to:
Panama City is a key stop for Caribbean and South American routes with 190 monthly flights. Other key business routes include:
Direct flights to Asia are few, with:
Most other Asian routes will require a stopover in the US, Europe or the Middle East.
Around 7 in 10 flights between Mexico and the US are run by American carriers:
Looking for the right airline for your trip? Whether you’re flying local or heading abroad, here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular airlines flying from Mexico - what they offer, where they fly from and what they’re best for.
Airline |
Type |
Fleet |
Best For |
Main Airports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Volaris |
Ultra-low-cost | 70+ Airbus A320s | Budget-friendly domestic flights | MEX, GDL, TIJ |
Viva Aerobus |
Ultra-low-cost | 215+ daily flights | Lowest fares | MEX, MTY |
Aeromexico |
Full-service | Mixed fleet including 787s | International travel | MEX |
American Airlines |
Full-service | Large global network | Connecting to the US | MEX (focus city) |
United Airlines |
Full-service | Modern fleet | Business travel | Multiple US hubs |
Mexico’s busiest airport moves over 48 million people a year across two terminals. A free Aerotrén connects Terminals 1 and 2, and Metro Line B is the fastest way into the city - just hop off at Terminal Aérea.
Getting there:
Need to stay overnight? There’s a Courtyard by Marriott inside Terminal 1. Hilton and NH Collection are both close by, with easy access to the terminals.
With over 25 million travellers a year and 500+ flights a day, Cancún is one of the world’s busiest airports for international travel. It’s the main hub for getting to the Riviera Maya.
💡Quick heads-up: If you’re flying into Quintana Roo, you’ll need to pay VisiTAX - it’s $17 USD and must be paid online before you leave.
Getting around:
This is Volaris’s busiest hub and one of the top airports in the country, handling over 17 million passengers a year. It’s also Mexico’s second-busiest freight airport.
The single terminal’s packed with places to grab a bite - picture Starbucks, Chili’s, Shake Shack and more.
Getting into town: Airport shuttles to the city centre cost around 120 pesos.
Northern Mexico’s go-to airport for business travel. There are three terminals, all linked by free shuttle buses.
This one's got something pretty special - a direct footbridge (Cross Border Xpress) into San Diego. It costs $6 USD and saves loads of time.
Right on the Pacific, this airport sees over 2.5 million travellers each year, mostly heading to the beaches. Two terminals keep things moving.
This up-and-coming airport handled over 6 million passengers in 2024, and it’s now Mexico’s busiest for air cargo. Traffic’s up 140%, and more airlines are jumping onboard.
Mexico City has three airports - MEX, NLU and TLC often show wildly different prices for identical destinations. Search flexible dates to find savings of 13-20%.
That dream flight doesn't have to break the bank upfront. With Alternative Airlines, spread costs using Klarna, Kueski Pay, Afterpay or over 40 other payment methods, including regional specialists.
Cheapest isn't always best. Viva Aerobus offers rock-bottom fares but frequent 2+ hour delays. Volaris costs slightly more but actually gets you there on time.
January-February flights cost 29% less than peak season. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday departures beat weekend prices by 13-20%. Semana Santa and Spring Break destroy any budget.
We offer more Buy Now Pay Later options than anyone else, making flights truly financially accessible. Split costs with Sezzle, get instant approval with Atome, or use regional specialists like Tamara and Twisto wherever you're booking from.
Find the best combination of price, schedule and reliability across Mexico's entire airline network. Filter by payment method, departure times, or specific airlines to match your exact needs.
What you see is what you pay. No hidden booking fees or surprise charges at checkout. Compare total costs including baggage and seat selection fees upfront.
Whether it's a quick domestic getaway or an international adventure, we’ve got you covered. Compare over 600 airlines and spread the cost with flexible payment options.
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
Mexico City has three airports that often show wildly different prices for identical destinations, so always compare MEX, NLU and TLC before booking.
Absolutely! We offer more Buy Now Pay Later options than anyone else, with over 40 different ways to split costs including Klarna, Afterpay, Kueski Pay and regional specialists like Tamara and Twisto.
You can split costs with Sezzle, get instant approval with Atome, or use whatever payment method works best for your situation. Your dream trip doesn't have to break the bank upfront, and you can lock in flights while managing your budget.
If you're flying into Quintana Roo state (that's Cancún and the Riviera Maya), you'll need to pay VisiTAX - it's $17 USD and must be paid online before you leave the country.
It's not optional, so factor this into your total trip budget from the start. Most other Mexican destinations don't require additional tourist taxes beyond the standard airport fees included in your ticket price.
Flight changes and cancellations depend entirely on your airline's policy and the type of ticket you bought.
Budget carriers like Volaris and Viva Aerobus typically charge fees for any changes, while full-service airlines often offer more flexibility, especially on higher fare classes.
We can't control airline policies, but we can help you rebook quickly when things go wrong and guide you through the process!
Mexico City operates three airports that serve different airlines and routes, creating massive price differences for identical destinations.
Each airport has different airline partnerships and route networks, which explains why prices vary so dramatically - always search all three before booking.
Mexico City International Airport (MEX) handles the most international routes by far, connecting to over 200 cities worldwide across every continent.
Cancún comes second, though it focuses mainly on beach destinations and US leisure travel rather than business routes.
Both airports offer proper international hub facilities including lounges, dining options and reliable transport links into their respective cities, making connections relatively smooth.
The cheapest option isn't always the smartest choice when you factor in the full travel experience. Viva Aerobus offers genuinely rock-bottom fares but suffers from frequent delays of 2+ hours, while Volaris costs slightly more but actually gets you there on time.
Consider what matters most - is saving $20 really worth potentially missing your connection, arriving exhausted, or dealing with constant uncertainty about departure times?
Yes, but options remain limited compared to US routes. Madrid sees the most traffic with 170+ flights monthly, while Paris, Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Rome all offer direct services from Mexico City.
Barcelona gets seasonal flights, and there's even a direct Guadalajara-Madrid route that launched in 2021. Most other European destinations require connections through these major hubs or via the US.
This varies dramatically between carriers and fare types. Aeromexico includes checked baggage on most international flights, while ultra-low-cost carriers like Volaris and Viva Aerobus charge extra for everything beyond a small personal item.
Always check baggage policies before booking - those rock-bottom fares can quickly become expensive once you add bags, seat selection and other extras that might be included elsewhere.
Direct options to Asia are extremely limited, with Tokyo getting around 30 flights monthly and Seoul offering seasonal service.
Most Asian destinations require connections through the US, Europe or Middle Eastern hubs like Istanbul, which can add significant travel time.
Aeromexico operates some of these direct routes, but for places like Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong, you'll definitely need at least one stop.
Peak season runs roughly from mid-December through early January, plus Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter) and summer months July-August.
Spring Break also creates massive price spikes, especially for beach destinations like Cancún and Puerto Vallarta.
These periods can see prices double or triple, and availability becomes seriously limited, so booking 6+ months ahead becomes essential rather than optional.
Mexican ultra-low-cost carriers like Volaris and Viva Aerobus focus mainly on domestic routes and some US destinations, but their international networks remain limited.
For serious international travel, you'll likely need full-service carriers like Aeromexico or foreign airlines. The budget airline model works well for short-haul flights, but long-haul international travel still requires traditional carriers with proper services and reliability.
