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.

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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.

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Aeromexico's routes to U.S. as of October 2023. CIRIUM

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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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