Aeromexico jet flying above the clouds and water

Tourist travel to Mexico has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, but in our experience the infrastructure has not caught up with that demand. There are fewer flight options, they tend to book up more quickly, and the rates rarely drop beyond a certain level. That may be changing, however.

Aeromexico, through a partnership with Delta, is increasing their transborder seat offering by more than 30%. Specifically, they’ll be flying to Mexico City’s Benito Juarez Airport directly from Detroit, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C. and Boston. They’ll also be flying to Mexico City’s newer Felipe Angeles airport from DFW and McAllen, Texas. Any of those may allow you to connect to a flight to Mazatlán, Culiacan, Hermosillo or Los Mochis, depending on where you’ll be fishing.

There will also be direct flights into Mexico from Atlanta, Salt Lake, New York and Los Angeles, which may provide other avenues to get to your angling destination quicker, on the days you prefer, and with a minimal number of stops.

This is expected to start this month, although the bulk of the additions will be made gradually beginning in January 2024.

Mexico City's Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juarez serves as a hub for Aeromexico

The good news, as noted above, is that more choices is always better, and may lead to some downward price pressure. I’m particularly excited for our Rocky Mountain region and New England friends, who’ve often had trouble booking an uncomplicated itinerary. Obviously, it helps those with a strong Delta preference, which includes many if not most of our traveling friends around Atlanta and living in adjoining states.

The airlines advertise “consistent checked and carry-on luggage policies” but it remains to be seen what that means, and whether it’ll be the same in each direction – so if you’re planning to tote a rod tube it’s buyer beware.

Of course, the Mexico City airport (Benito Juarez) can be a bear to transit, and if you get stuck there it’s not as simple for most gringos as being stuck in Dallas or Phoenix.

Depending on how the DC route lays out, we might try it in the next 12 months. They used to have a flight leaving Washington-Dulles at 1am, connecting in Mexico City, and arriving in Mazatlán around 11am, which is about as early as you can get there from the US.