What is Aeromexico’s boarding process like?

Boarding tends to follow a boarding zone system, boarding those with elite status and flying in premium cabins first. This is followed by general boarding. The gate usually closes around 30 minutes before scheduled departure, so plan to arrive at the gate early enough. Make sure you have your boarding pass, ID, and any other necessary travel documents ready.

How does check-in work with Aeromexico?

You can check in online (using the website or mobile app) or via kiosk or airport counter. Online and web check-in open 48 hours before departure for many domestic flights, though it’s 24 hours for most international trips. If you have checked bags, you need to drop those at the baggage counter by a deadline, which varies based on whether you’re flying domestic or international. It’s typically 1 hour to 90 minutes before departure.

What is Aeromexico’s baggage policy (carry-on and checked)?

You get 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item free. The carry-on must meet size limits (rougly 21.5 × 15.7 × 10 inches). With a Basic fare, the combined maximum weight of these is 22 pounds (10 kilograms). For checked luggage, it depends on fare class and route. For example, flights between the U.S. and Mexico often allow 1 checked bag on many fares, plus even more for premium classes. See our detailed guide here.

What is Aeromexico Rewards, and how do I earn perks?

Aeromexico Rewards is Aeromexico’s loyalty program. You earn points flying with Aeromexico or its SkyTeam partners, as well as through partner hotels, rental cars, and even some nontravel activities. Higher tiers (Gold, Platinum, and Titanium) unlock perks like priority check-in, priority boarding, free checked bags, and sometimes upgrades when space allows.

How much are extra baggage fees if I exceed the free allowances?

If you go over your included baggage limits (weight, size, or number of pieces), you incur fees. For example, there are set excess baggage charges (which are fixed by route) when adding extra checked luggage. Also, Basic fares don’t include complimentary checked bags, so make sure your fare includes what you need or pay ahead to save.

Aeromexico Boarding Groups and Process — Everything You Need To Know

Updated: October 4, 2025, 8:00am CDT

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
Aeromexico Boarding Zones
Boarding Timing
How To Boost Your Aeromexico Rewards Balance
Final Thoughts

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Key Takeaways

Aeromexico uses boarding groups, which it calls zones, to board flights. Those flying in premium cabins or with elite status move into higher zones.
The boarding zones may not be enforced, and customers may simply enter the boarding queue without following the announcements or signs. Aeromexico rarely enforces the zones when passengers board incorrectly.
Preboarding is available for passengers who need special assistance, but you must request this in advance.

Aeromexico is Mexico’s flag carrier and one of the founding members of the SkyTeam alliance. Along with a robust domestic network, the airline also serves numerous airports in the U.S. and Central America, as well as a handful of destinations each in the Caribbean, Canada, and Colombia. You’ll also find 1 destination each in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru, 5 destinations in Europe, and 2 destinations in Asia.

All long-haul flights are operated from the airline’s main hub in Mexico City (MEX), but there are also hubs in Guadalajara (GDL) and Monterrey (MTY).

When it comes to boarding, Aeromexico uses a group system, which it calls zones. Your boarding zone is clearly listed on your boarding pass. Generally speaking, the higher your status and the closer your seat is to the front of the plane, the sooner you board.

Let’s dig into the specifics of Aeromexico’s boarding process to see how it works.

Aeromexico Boarding Zones

Aeromexico refers to its boarding groups as zones, and you’ll find up to 4 zones, plus preboarding and Sky Priority, on international flights with bigger planes — and thus more passengers. On domestic flights, you may find fewer zones, sometimes eliminating No. 4 because of the smaller passenger count.

Those needing special assistance can preboard, while the first opportunity for other passengers is zone 1.

Like many airlines, Aeromexico puts its top elites and those flying in business class in the first zone. Those with elite status from SkyTeam airline partners are also afforded better boarding groups — boarding before economy passengers with the Sky Priority group, at a minimum.

Preboarding

Preboarding is reserved for those needing extra time, such as the elderly, those with handicaps, or those traveling with infants.

Zone 1

Zone 1 is reserved for passengers traveling in business class (which the airline calls Clase Premier) and those with Aeromexico Rewards Titanium status or SkyTeam Elite Plus status from partner airlines.

Aeromexico boarding at MEX — If only these boarding groups had been enforced. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

Hot Tip:

It’s worth noting that passengers from other zones have simply boarded in Zone 1 every time I’ve flown Aeromexico. Gate agents haven’t verified that people were boarding in the correct zone, and I’ve never seen them ask passengers to wait until their correct zone. So don’t count on zones to be enforced during your flight.

Zone 2

Passengers in Zone 2 are those with Aeromexico Rewards Gold and Platinum status and any SkyTeam Elite Plus members who weren’t assigned to Zone 1.

Sky Priority

If they weren’t assigned to earlier zones, those with elite status from Aeromexico’s partners are offered the chance to board at this time. The Sky Priority boarding option extends to elite members of programs like Delta SkyMiles or Air France-KLM Flying Blue, for example.

Zone 3

This is the first group for economy passengers, those who paid for extra-legroom seats, and Aeromexico Rewards Silver members.

Zone 4

This is the final zone for all remaining economy passengers and those who purchased basic economy tickets.

Hot Tip:

Aeromexico offers 2 versions of business class on long-haul flights. Check out our reviews of business class on the Boeing 787-8, which has a 2-2-2 layout compared to the 1-2-1 layout on Aeromexico’s Boeing 787-9.

Boarding Timing

Depending on whether your trip is international or domestic, boarding will start and end at a different time. Note that these times are based on your scheduled departure, and any delays mean these times will be adjusted.

For domestic flights, Aeromexico typically starts boarding 45 minutes before departure and ends 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. For international flights, boarding starts 50 to 60 minutes before departure and ends 20 minutes before the departure time.

Aeromexico boarding jet bridge at MEX — Unfortunately, waiting in the jet bridge after boarding begins is common. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

It’s also worth noting that Aeromexico’s gate agents often begin boarding without verifying that the cabin crew is ready to receive passengers. Passengers in Zone 1 often scan their boarding pass and then arrive at the plane door to hear that they should wait in the jet bridge until the crew is ready for them to board.

While that’s a negative aspect, the silver lining is that Aeromexico’s gate agents have a solid track record for starting the boarding process on time.

How To Boost Your Aeromexico Rewards Balance

If you’re interested in earning Aeromexico Rewards points, you have options. These can help you earn points to redeem for future flights, rather than paying the cash price for a ticket.

Aeromexico doesn’t offer a shopping portal and doesn’t have any credit cards for U.S. residents. However, you can earn points on car rentals with Hertz and Firefly. Additionally, you can earn points on hotel stays with IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt, though these require you to choose to earn Aeromexico Rewards points instead of the chain’s own rewards.

Additionally, you can earn points by taking a paid flight with Aeromexico’s airline partners and crediting the flight to Aeromexico Rewards. In addition to its SkyTeam partners, Aeromexico also has partnerships with nonalliance partners like Brazil’s GOL, South American giant LATAM, and even Israel’s EL AL.

It’s also possible to transfer your credit card points to Aeromexico Rewards and use these for an award ticket reservation. You can send the following to Aeromexico Rewards:

American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1.6 ratio
Brex Rewards at a 3:2 ratio
Capital One Miles at a 1:1 ratio
Citi ThankYou Rewards at a 1:1 ratio
Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio
Mesa Points at a 1:1 ratio
Rove Miles at a 1:1 ratio

Out of these options, American Express provides the most valuable transfer rate, as you get 1.6 Aeromexico points for every Amex point you send.

Final Thoughts

For its flights, Aeromexico uses a zone-based boarding system similar to boarding groups you might have experienced with other airlines. In practice, though, these aren’t always enforced.

Those with top-tier elite status and those flying in business class are invited to board first, and then subsequent zone numbers are assigned to those with lower tiers of elite status, elite members from partner programs, and finally passengers in economy seats without elite status.