When flying with Aeroméxico, understanding how early you can check in is essential for a seamless travel experience. Whether you’re heading off on a domestic route within Mexico or traveling internationally to North America, Europe, or South America, Aeroméxico offers several convenient options for check-in, each with its own window of availability. For domestic flights, the airline typically allows online and mobile check-in starting 48 hours before departure, giving passengers plenty of time to manage their travel documents, select seats, and prepare boarding passes. For international routes, however, the check-in window opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, a policy aligned with international aviation security standards. This timing applies whether you're departing from Mexico or returning from another country. Aeroméxico’s website and mobile app both support this function, allowing users to check in quickly with just a booking reference and last name. Once checked in, travelers can download or email their boarding passes, or save them to a digital wallet. This process is especially efficient for passengers traveling with carry-on luggage only, who can skip the counter entirely and go directly to security and the gate. However, if you have checked baggage, you’ll still need to visit the airport bag drop counter, which generally closes 60 minutes before domestic flights and at least 90 minutes before international flights.
For those who prefer using their smartphones, Aeroméxico’s mobile app is designed with convenience in mind. It mirrors the website’s check-in process, allowing users to select seats, add baggage, and receive boarding passes all in one place. Additionally, the app provides helpful push notifications about gate changes, delays, and boarding calls. Like online check-in, the mobile version becomes available 48 hours before domestic flights and 24 hours before international ones, and typically closes an hour before takeoff, though this can vary by airport. While this method is suitable for most travelers, it's important to note that online and mobile check-in might be unavailable in certain cases, such as for flights involving codeshare agreements, passengers flying with pets, unaccompanied minors, or those requiring medical assistance. In such instances, passengers are advised to check in at the airport with an Aeroméxico agent to ensure all documentation and special needs are handled properly.
Aeroméxico also provides self-service kiosks at most of the larger airports it operates from, including Mexico City (MEX), Monterrey (MTY), Guadalajara (GDL), and various international hubs such as New York (JFK), Madrid (MAD), and Los Angeles (LAX). These kiosks are generally available starting 24 hours before flight time, and typically close 2 hours before departure. At these machines, travelers can print their boarding passes and even baggage tags. Kiosks provide a middle ground between full-service counters and the online/mobile process, and are especially useful for passengers who missed online check-in or prefer not to use the app. They also allow last-minute changes, like seat selection and baggage declaration. However, like other automated check-in tools, kiosks may not be available to passengers with specific needs or complex itineraries, and those travelers are advised to check in with an agent.
If you prefer personal service or need special assistance, Aeroméxico’s airport counter check-in is the most comprehensive option. Counters for domestic flights usually open 2 hours before departure, while for international flights, the counter check-in typically opens 3 hours before takeoff. This allows enough time for document checks, baggage tagging, and immigration or customs processing if required. However, cut-off times are strictly enforced. For domestic flights, the counter usually closes 60 minutes prior to departure, while international flight counters may close up to 2 hours in advance, particularly at busy or high-security airports. That means if you show up late to the airport even if you've already checked in online you may be denied baggage drop and boarding. To avoid such issues, Aeroméxico advises passengers to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. During holiday periods, long weekends, or peak travel seasons, it’s wise to allow even more time due to potentially long lines at security, immigration, or the airline counter.
Boarding times are also strictly observed. For domestic flights, Aeroméxico typically begins boarding about 30 to 45 minutes before departure, while international boarding usually starts 45 to 60 minutes prior to takeoff. Final boarding calls are issued 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and boarding gates may close at that point regardless of whether you’ve checked in. Even passengers with mobile or printed boarding passes may be denied boarding if they arrive too late at the gate. Therefore, it’s crucial not just to check in early, but to plan your entire airport journey with boarding time in mind, factoring in security checkpoints, potential delays, or long walks between terminals.
One unique feature that Aeroméxico occasionally offers is automatic check-in, which is mostly targeted at frequent flyers or travelers with simple itineraries and no checked baggage. In this case, the airline will check you in on your behalf as soon as the check-in window opens and send you your boarding pass via email or mobile app. However, this feature is not yet available across all routes and is typically applied only when you’ve opted in or when your fare class and booking qualify. Even when auto-check-in is available, passengers must still verify that travel documents are in order, especially for international flights, where passport and visa validation is essential.
Additionally, Aeroméxico may make check-in exceptions during flight disruptions or schedule changes. For example, if your flight is delayed or rescheduled, the airline may allow later check-in or reissue your boarding pass depending on your itinerary. These adjustments usually appear automatically in the app or on your account on their website. Therefore, it’s recommended to enable flight notifications via text or email so you’re aware of changes as they happen.
Another factor to consider is the fare class and route. For example, travelers on Basic fares for domestic flights can still check in 24 hours before departure, even though regular domestic check-in opens at 48 hours. This distinction is important, especially for budget-conscious travelers, as it may impact your seating choices or boarding position if you wait too long to check in. Also, some international destinations may have special rules. For example, passengers flying to or from the U.S. often require extra time at check-in due to enhanced security protocols, so it's critical to double-check your departure airport’s policies.
To wrap up, the timing for checking in with Aeroméxico varies depending on the method used and the nature of your trip. For domestic flights, online and mobile check-in opens 48 hours before departure and closes roughly 2 hours before takeoff. For international flights, online and mobile check-in begins 24 hours before departure, and also closes around 2 hours prior. Self-service kiosks are usually available 24 hours before departure, closing 2 hours before takeoff. If you're checking in at the airport counter, plan to arrive 2 to 3 hours before your flight, as counters generally close between 60 to 120 minutes before departure, depending on whether your flight is domestic or international. By choosing the check-in option that suits your travel style and showing up early, you can make your journey with Aeroméxico smooth and stress-free from the moment you start your travel day.