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Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX), also known as Mexico City International Airport, is the main international airport serving Mexico City. Being the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America with almost 22 million travelers passing through every year, it is a bit of a beast. Let us walk you through all there is to know about MEX so you can get your travels off to a flying start.
Mexico City is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Americas. It’s the capital city with the most museums in the world and stands on the ruins of an ancient Aztec hub built on top of a lake. Over one fifth of the population of the country lives in Mexico City, and it has recently become a hotspot for remote workers and digital nomads due to its affordability, amenities and services, reliable data network, and lively social scene. Thankfully, a city as popular as Mexico City has a fantastic international airport for easy and convenient travel.
Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City ranks as the third largest airport in the world. It is the sixteenth busiest airport in the world, and the busiest airport in Latin America, with more than 36,000,000 flyers in 2021.
The airport is conveniently located just outside the city center and can be reached by taxi or car in less than 10 minutes. Additionally, the Metrobus easily takes passengers to and from the city center to the Airport.
The most convenient and reliable by far is to book a Blacklane airport transfer service in Mexico City to anywhere you would like to go. With an unrivaled chauffeur service provided by handpicked professionals, you can travel in style with complete peace of mind.
This airport guide along with an airport map will help you find your way around this international airport.
Airlines
Benito Juarez International Airport has two terminals. Most international flights depart from Terminal 1, but some domestic flights are also operated there. It takes all arrivals on the ground floor, as well as domestic flight check-in. International flight check-in and departures are on the upper level. Terminal 2 takes all arrivals and ground transportation on the ground level and all arrivals and departures on the upper level.
To transfer between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, passengers can use the Airtrain. Terminal 1 has it at gate 6, and Terminal 2 has it at gate 4. The Airtrain runs daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Terminal 1
- Air New Zealand
- Hainan Airlines
- Qantas
- Austrian Airlines
- Virgin Australia
- Air France
- Aerolineas Argentinas Airlines
- Air Canada
- Interjet Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Aeroflot Russian Airlines
- Flair Airlines
- Emirates
- Garuda Indonesia Airlines
- Volaris Airlines
- Sunwing Airlines
- United Airlines
- Korean Air Lines Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Frontier Airlines
- Iberia Airlines
- British Airways
- Gol
- American Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Tap Air Portugal
- Lufthansa
- Viva Aerobus Airlines
- ANA Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Air China Airlines
- KLM Airlines
- LATAM
- Westjet Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Air Europa Airlines
- Avianca Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Czech Airlines
- El Al Airlines
Terminal 2
- Turkish Airlines
- Finnair Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Aeromar Airlines
- Alitalia
- Aeromexico Airlines
- COPA Airlines
- Swift Air
Keep in Mind: All Aeromexico flights, rather domestic or international, will always fly out of Terminal 2 due it being the home hub and offices of the airline itself.
Lounges
Airport lounges can make a huge difference to your travel experience, especially for those with long layovers or wait times between flights. Whether you are flying for business or leisure, the MEX lounges offer a wide range of services and amenities that can make you forget you are even in an airport.
Depending on which lounge you choose or have access to, services can vary. Most have relaxing places to work or relax, with access to food and drink options, and private bathrooms and showers. Many of them offer spa and massage services, high-speed internet, airport monitors, and entertainment such as books or magazines. Keep in mind, spa and massage services come at an additional cost but can be a lifesaver after those long-haul flights.
Terminal 1
- ViPort Lounge
- Terraza by the Grand Lounge Elite
- Lounge 19
- Elite Lounge Mastercard
- The Lounge Mexico
- Salon Beyond CitiBanamex
- The Grand Lounge Elite
- Premium Traveller Lounge
- United Airlines United Club
- American Airlines Admirals Club
- American Express Centurion Club (2x)
- The Centurion Lounge
Terminal 2
- Terraza Premier Aeromexico
- Aeromar Salon Diamante
- HSBC Premier Lounge
- American Express Centurion Club
- Aeromexico Salon Premier (2x)
- Salon Beyond CitiBanamex
Shopping
Mexico City International Airport is home to countless stores and shopping opportunities. In case you need to pack those beloved items, are looking for a last-minute souvenir, or want to upgrade your style with tax-free accessories, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The airport’s duty-free stores have a wide variety of products at your disposal. While many fliers are looking for cigarettes, alcohol and country treats, there is much more to be found at a discounted price. Some of the best options for shopping are Design MX, a unique shop with curated Mexican gifts, Liberia Gandhi with loads of books and reading options, Fonart with loads of textiles and figurines, and plenty of upscale shopping options such as Gucci, Hugo Boss, and Cartier. For currency exchange at the airport, the most reliable option is Mandala with daily exchange rates.
Dining
Mexico City International Airport has over 100 eateries on-site, ranging from cafes, bars, and restaurants. If you have extra time to spare or are passing time on a long layover, there are several options to choose from in both terminal 1 and 2. The airport is home to the usual suspects such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and Subway.
You may want to consider dining at one of the finer restaurants, like Vuela Carmela at Terminal 2, which serves creative cocktails and elevated traditional cuisine. There is a Spanish restaurant, Casa Avila, in the same terminal that offers a dining experience so unique that you might even forget you are at an airport! Terminal 2 is also home to Iwashi, a Japanese eatery under the concept of the Edo Kobayashi Group. Treat yourself to mouth-watering sushi, sake, and exquisite Japanese beer. With heavenly croissants, chocolates, and artisan bread, Maison Kayser in Terminal 1 offers a taste of Paris.
Some of the other best options for dining at Mexico City International Airport include Cascabel Clocks, Alejandra Carbajal Qu-Qoo Kitchen Bar, De Mar a Mar, Red Baron, La Cantina, and Centro Restaurant.
Things to do
Besides lounging, shopping, and eating, there are plenty of ways to spend your time while waiting at Mexico City International Airport. For those looking to work off those extra holiday pounds, head to the Camino Real gym. For those looking for relaxing services, check out spa and massage services in various lounges, and a few massage chairs scattered throughout the terminals.
