Aeromexico adds Phoenix-to-Mexico City nonstop, even as key tie-up with Delta remains in flux
Mexico’s flag carrier is returning to Arizona’s capital city for the first time in more than a decade.
Next spring, Aeromexico will launch nonstop service from its Mexico City International Airport (MEX) hub to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
The new flights kick off March 30, marking the start of daily service between Phoenix and Mexico's capital.
The move will bolster Aeromexico's U.S. footprint, which has grown at a fast pace in 2024.
But that broader growth, owed in part to a deep partnership with Delta Air Lines, is in a bit of limbo amid a spat with the Biden administration that's left the two airlines' tie-up in jeopardy.
Aeromexico’s new Phoenix service
Aeromexico plans to operate its daily Phoenix route with a Boeing 737 MAX jet. The schedule features a late-morning flight north to Arizona and an afternoon jaunt to Mexico City.
Here’s how the itinerary shakes out, with all times local:
- PHX-MEX: Departs at 1:51 p.m., and arrives at 6 p.m.
- MEX-PHX: Departs at 9:55 a.m., and arrives at 12:25 p.m.
Aeromexico will have some competition on the route. American Airlines currently flies between the two cities.
Still, the flights seem likely to draw strong demand.
Overall demand for flights between Phoenix and Mexico has grown 155% compared to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said this week.
“We are excited to welcome Aeromexico back to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to serve this crucial market,” Gallego said in a statement.
To Gallego’s point about welcoming Aeromexico “back” to the city, Aeromexico isn't a total newcomer to Phoenix, but it's been a while. The carrier last flew to the Valley of the Sun in 2014, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
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Aeromexico’s US growth faces uncertainty
Aeromexico’s plans to launch this new U.S. route in early 2025 come after a year that brought strong growth north of the border for the carrier.
The total number of seats Aeromexico flew to the U.S. this year was up 24% versus 2019 — five years ago.
Check out what Aeromexico's U.S. network looked like in October 2023 versus this month, per Cirium.
Touting that growth this week, airline leaders pointed to the company's close ties with Delta, with whom it operates a joint venture. The arrangement has been directly responsible for the significant growth of the two airlines between the U.S. and Mexico.
That alliance, Aeromexico said this week, has collectively fueled 28 new routes between the U.S. and Mexico this year alone.
“This alliance solidifies Aeromexico and Delta as the airlines with the best connectivity between the United States and Mexico,” Aeromexico said this week. “By the end of 2024, we will jointly operate 80 routes, with more than 135 daily flights between both regions.”
Joint venture under review by the DOT
However, that partnership remains in a state of flux.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation tentatively declined to renew the carriers' antitrust immunity allowing them to collaborate closely on scheduling and connectivity — key aspects of their joint venture. The DOT, at the time, cited anticompetitive concerns arising out of the Mexican government's management of Mexico City's airport.
Delta leaders have criticized the move as "regulatory overreach" and urged the DOT to reconsider as part of its final decision.
DOT leaders Wednesday told TPG the situation remains under review and that the joint venture is clear to continue in the meantime, pending a final decision.
Booking flights on Aeromexico with points and miles
Aeromexico can be a useful option for travelers hoping to fly to Mexico City or connect to another destination in Mexico or Latin America.
But travelers can also find value, in some cases, in transferring credit card rewards to Aeromexico Rewards to book overseas flights — on Aeromexico (connecting at MEX, typically) or aboard a SkyTeam partner.
Keep in mind that if you have American Express Membership Rewards points, you can transfer your points to Aeromexico at a 1:1.6 rate. That means that 1,000 Amex points become 1,600 Aeromexico points.
Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer to Aeromexico Rewards at a 1:1 rate.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.