Flights to Mexico City from the US: Nonstop Routes, Flight Times and When to Go

Quick answer: Mexico City (MEX) has nonstop flights from more than twenty US cities, mainly on Aeroméxico, Delta, United and American, as of recent schedules. A flight from New York takes about 5 to 5.5 hours, from Houston about 2.5. US citizens need a passport, not a visa, and November to April is dry.

Mexico City flights at a glance

Nonstop flights to Mexico City from US cities

Airlines are as of recent schedules and change by season; check with the airline for the current timetable. Times are southbound and approximate. Volaris and Viva, Mexico's low-cost airlines, fly some US routes to Mexico City too; check their own schedules. Aeroméxico has announced Fort Lauderdale, Orange County and a return to Portland, Oregon, from January 2027, and Nashville and New Orleans from June 2027. Delta and Aeroméxico still run their joint venture, so many one-stop trips mix the two airlines on one ticket.

Airlines flying to Mexico City from the US

Mexico City is one of the best-connected cities to the US. Aeroméxico, the national airline, flies from the most US cities, and Delta, its joint-venture partner, flies from hubs including Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York JFK and Salt Lake City. United flies from cities including Newark, Washington Dulles, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco, and American from Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Charlotte, Phoenix and Los Angeles, plus Chicago in winter, as of recent schedules; check with the airline.

Volaris and Viva are Mexican low-cost airlines that fly some US routes to Mexico City, mostly from cities with large Mexican communities; their route lists change often, so check their schedules. Their lowest fares usually cover only a small personal item, so compare what is included, not only the headline price.

From a city without a nonstop, a one-stop trip through a US hub is usually quickest. Keep the whole trip on one ticket, so your bags are checked through and the airline rebooks you if the first flight runs late.

Best time to visit Mexico City

Mexico City sits at about 7,350 feet, so it is mild all year rather than hot. The dry season runs from November to April, with sunny days and cool evenings; December and January nights can be chilly, and March to May is the warmest stretch. From about June to September, afternoon and evening storms are common, though mornings are often clear.

Demand peaks around Christmas and New Year, Holy Week before Easter, and Día de Muertos at the start of November, when hotels in the center fill early. For quieter dates, look at late January and February, or the weeks between the summer school holidays and the November celebrations.

The altitude affects some visitors on the first day or two: drink water, go easy on alcohol and plan a lighter first afternoon.

Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 at Mexico City airport

Mexico City International has two terminals that are not walkable from each other; an airport train and buses link them, and a change between them takes time. Aeroméxico and Delta use Terminal 2. United, American, Volaris and Viva use Terminal 1, as of recent airport listings. Always check the terminal on your boarding pass.

Mexico City also has a second airport, Felipe Ángeles International (NLU), about 30 miles north of the city. It handles mostly domestic flights and cargo. Make sure your ticket says MEX if you want the main airport close to the center.

Entry rules for US citizens

US citizens need a valid passport to fly to Mexico; a passport card is not accepted for air travel. No visa is required for tourism or short business trips. The immigration officer decides how many days you may stay, up to 180, so answer the questions about your trip plainly and keep any proof of your hotel and return flight handy.

Mexico now records most air arrivals electronically instead of a paper tourist card, and the officer may stamp your passport or issue a digital record. Keep it until you leave the country. Mexico also has rules on bringing in cash, medicines and food, so check the official customs guidance if you carry anything unusual.

The US State Department rates Mexico state by state. Check the current advisory for Mexico City on travel.state.gov and enroll in STEP before you go.

Getting from the airport into the city

Use the authorized taxi booths inside the arrivals halls, where you pay before you get in, or the signposted ride-hailing pickup areas. A trip to Roma, Condesa, Polanco or the Centro Histórico usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, and much longer at rush hour or in heavy rain.

Metrobús Line 4 runs from both terminals to the historic center and is simple if you travel light. Metro Line 5 stops at Terminal Aérea, a short walk from Terminal 1, but the Metro is very crowded at peak times and is not practical with large bags.

Time difference and flight timing

Mexico City stopped using daylight saving time in 2022 and keeps Central Standard Time all year. That puts it 1 hour behind New York in the US winter and 2 hours behind in summer. It matches Chicago and Houston in winter and is 1 hour behind them in summer, and it is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles in winter and 1 hour ahead in summer.

Most flights from the US are daytime flights, so jet lag is rarely an issue. Morning departures from the East Coast reach Mexico City around midday, which leaves the afternoon free.

Frequently asked questions

Travel guide

November to April is the dry season, with sunny days and cool nights at the city's high altitude. From about June to September afternoon storms are common, and the weeks around Christmas, Easter and Día de Muertos in early November are the busiest.

Lounge access

• Aeroméxico Salón Premier, Terminal 2

Airport transfers

Authorized airport taxis sold at booths inside arrivals and ride-hailing pickups serve both terminals; the trip to Roma, Condesa or the Centro Histórico usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Metrobús Line 4 links Terminals 1 and 2 with the historic center, and Metro Line 5 stops at Terminal Aérea next to Terminal 1.

Flight route guides to Mexico City

Each guide covers the airlines on that route, typical connections, the best months to fly and baggage rules, with live fares fetched when the page loads.

• Austin to Mexico City flights
• Nashville to Mexico City flights
• Cleveland to Mexico City flights
• Dallas to Mexico City flights
• Honolulu to Mexico City flights
• Kansas City to Mexico City flights
• Portland to Mexico City flights
• San Diego to Mexico City flights
• San Antonio to Mexico City flights

All route guides to Mexico City