The war in Ukraine and its consequences have made significant adjustments to flight routes from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus to Mexico. Air traffic in Ukraine has been completely interrupted; Russian airlines, due to US and EU sanctions, are no longer able to operate flights to most long-haul destinations, and in addition to that to the European Union or over its territory. Test flights from Moscow to Mexico across the Baltic Sea and then over neutral waters turned out to be ineffective; the flight of Russian aircraft outside Russia is fraught with the risk of aircraft arrest. We do not expect the resumption of direct flights between Russia and Mexico at least until the end of Western sanctions.
However, entry into Mexico is still allowed, and the increasing flow of Ukrainian and Russian refugees at the US border is an example of this. If you haven't already forgotten, remember how you flew to Mexico at the height of the coronavirus epidemic, when most countries closed their borders. Now there are no simple routes, but we will now tell you about the available ones.
Citizens of UkraineThe most convenient way to get to Mexico is through EU airports. Actually, there were no direct public flights from Kyiv to Mexico before; you still had to fly either through the EU or through Turkey. Now it is easier to fly from the EU. Direct flights are available to Cancun or Mexico City, the choice of departure cities and airlines is very large, and the ticket price is much lower than from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines.
Available routes from the EU and UK to Mexico (direct flights):
- Austria
- Vienna — Cancun, Austrian airline
- Belgium
- Brussels — Cancun, TUI
- Germany
- Frankfurt — Cancun, Lufthansa, Condor, Eurowings
- Frankfurt — Mexico City, Lufthansa
- Spain
- Madrid — Cancun, Iberia, Air Europa, Evelop, Wamos Air, World2fly
- Madrid — Mexico City, Iberia, Aeromexico
- Madrid — Guadalajara, Aeromexico
- Madrid — Monterrey, Aeromexico
- Netherlands
- Amsterdam — Cancun, KLM
- Amsterdam — Mexico City, KLM, Aeromexico
- Poland
- Warsaw — Cancun, LOT
- Krakow — Cancun, LOT
- Portugal
- Lisbon — Cancun, TAP, Orbest, World2fly
- France
- Paris — Cancun, Air France
- Paris — Mexico City, Air France, Aeromexico
- Switzerland
- Zurich — Cancun, Edelweiss
- United Kingdom
- London— Cancun, British Airways, TUI Airways
- London— Mexico City, British Airways, Aeromexico
Since you are already in the EU, for example having entered as a refugee, you do not need a transit visa or biometric passport to fly within the EU. But for international flights and to enter Mexico, you must have a valid passport, biometric or non-biometric. An internal passport is not suitable. Simply search for a cheap ticket on any route listed above, then separately search for intra-European flights to the next EU airport.
Traveling through the UK should be done with caution. Without a British visa, it’s better not to take risks, even if you fly with the same airline and don’t need to change terminals in London.
Consider flight options from the EU to Mexico via the USA only if you have a US visa and a vaccination certificate.
Citizens of Russia and BelarusFlights via Istanbul and Dubai are more suitable.
- Istanbul — Mexico City — Cancun, Turkish Airlines
- Dubai — Mexico City, Emirates
Both airlines also fly to Russia. Turkish Airlines does not fly to Minsk and will not resume flights at least until the beginning of 2023, therefore Belarusians will have to fly from Moscow. Turkish Airlines recently renewed the prospect of paying for tickets on their website with the assistance of the World Card. In addition, tickets can be purchased at airline offices for cash or through Russian travel agencies. We do not agree with some media reports that Turkish Airlines sells tickets to Russians only if they cover the flight segment from Russia.
On the way to Cancun, the Turkish Airlines plane makes a technical stop in Mexico City without leaving the plane. Emirates also makes a technical stop in Barcelona; on some flights passengers go to the airport transit area, but a visa is not required.
Both airlines have an unpleasant feature: in most cases, they only require a return ticket from Mexico for flights of their own airline.
If Turkish Airlines and Emirates prices scare you, consider another flight option. Fly with any airline to Istanbul, and then transfer to a European airline flight to Mexico on a single ticket. We have listed the available routes from the EU to Mexico above. The ticket through the EU must be just one, otherwise a Schengen visa may be required. Don't assume that if you don't leave the airport, you won't need a visa.
Correct route: 1) Moscow — Istanbul, 2) Istanbul — Amsterdam — Cancun.
Wrong route: 1) Moscow — Istanbul-Amsterdam, 2) Amsterdam — Cancun.
In the second option, Turkish Airlines may require you not only to have a Schengen visa, but also a return ticket from Amsterdam on their own airline. Recently, reports appeared on social networks that Lufthansa, in addition, requires Russians to have a Schengen visa even when it is not needed (flight across the EU on a single ticket), but the airline rejected the accusations against itself.
If you have a Schengen visa and you dare to make an independent transfer to the EU, remember that currently not all EU countries are open for entry for travel purposes. Some powers still require a coronavirus test or vaccination certificate, others have introduced restrictions on the entry of Russian guest countries.
Another prospect opens up flights from Istanbul to Mexico via Panama. The Turkish Airlines plane flies to Colombia, where it makes a technical stop, and then to Panama City. Here passengers transfer to Copa Airlines flight to Mexico. There is a single ticket, it is sold by Turkish Airlines, and you do not need a visa to transit through Panama.
Read about flights to Mexico via Cuba in thispublications.
In general, there are no difficulties getting to Mexico now. Yes, there is no direct message. But if your goal — to get to Mexico, you have no other choice but to fly with transfers.