What Airlines Fly Out of Tijuana?

by | Dec 8, 2022 | TRAVEL ADVICE | 0 comments

Tijuana International Airport serves not only the city of Tijuana in Mexico but also the nearby city of San Diego in the United States. The airport is officially named after Mexican General Abelardo L. Rodríguez and provides service to both domestic and international destinations. The Otay Centenario suburb of Tijuana, which is located just south of the U.S.-Mexico boundary line, houses the airport 6 miles distant from Tijuana’s urban core and 18 miles away from San Diego. The Cross Border Xpress is a footway that traverses the line between nations, linking terminals found on both Mexico and the US sections, providing those going to and from America immediate access to the airfield in Tijuana. The CBX makes it possible for travelers to avoid having to go through customs upon arrival in Mexico, which can save time and make travel more convenient.

Airport Code, Location, and Flight Information

Know Before You Go

Tijuana’s main commercial airport terminal, sometimes referred to as Terminal 1, is where all flights land and depart from. This terminal is a busy place, with many people coming and going at all hours of the day. There is an old, decrepit terminal across from the main, well-kept, and bustling terminal which is mainly used by the Mexican military and doesn’t host any commercial airlines. The main terminal at the airport has a single runway with a parallel taxiway. The control tower is one of the tallest in Mexico and is very high-tech. The airport has two concourses with 23 gates in total. There is also a food court as well as other passenger services such as shops and money exchange offices. This makes it a very convenient place for travelers. The CBX terminal situated on the other side of the border offers departure registration and processing, as well as United States immigration and customs inspection; however, it is devoid of any arrival amenities or boarding points.

Cross Border Xpress

The Tijuana airport is located conveniently close to the United States border, and since December 2015, people traveling to and from the United States have been able to make use of a pedestrian bridge that spans the border between the two countries. This has made travel between the two countries much easier and more convenient for passengers using the Tijuana airport. The bridge is approximately 390 feet (120 meters) long and the fee to access it is $20 per person. There is however a discount if tickets are purchased online through the CBX website or through your airline. If you are flying in or out of Tijuana International Airport, you will be able to use the bridge. Only passengers with a boarding pass will be able to use the bridge. This is for safety reasons so that only those who are flying can access the bridge. Passengers who are departing may cross the bridge up to 24 hours before their flight departure time. However, passengers who are arriving only have two hours from the time they disembark their flight to cross the bridge into the United States.

Tijuana International Airport is a great option for travelers looking to save money on flights within Mexico. The Cross Border Xpress makes it easy to get to the airport without having to go through the city, making it a hassle-free option for travelers. Travelers can go through the check-in process on the American side, providing their boarding pass and bridge ticket to the attendants (or using a self-serve kiosk), before crossing over, then traversing the bridge (assistance is provided for those with disabilities), undergoing Mexican immigration and customs procedures, and lastly going through airport security. This method of crossing the border at Tijuana is much more expeditious than other checkpoints and using a cab to get to the airport, although costs may be slightly higher.

Tijuana Airport Parking

Although parking areas are available in both the Mexican and U.S. terminals, it is cheaper to park on the Mexican side. This is an important factor to consider for anyone who is planning on leaving their car at the airport for an extended period of time. If you’re traveling back from Tijuana, you can save a lot of time by walking across the CBX bridge and picking up your car on the U.S. side. The border between Mexico and the United States can have very long wait times, so this is a much faster option.

Driving Directions

If you are traversing from the US, you can enter Mexico at either the Otay Mesa or San Ysidro boundaries. The Otay Mesa crossing is closer to the airport. The average wait time to cross the U.S.-Mexico border is shorter when traveling from the United States into Mexico, as opposed to when traveling from Mexico into the United States. This is likely because there are typically more people trying to enter the United States than there are trying to enter Mexico. However, this isn’t always the case, and sometimes the wait times can be very long in either direction. To avoid any delays, it is recommended that you check the border wait times online ahead of time. The journey from the Otay Mesa crossing to the airport should take roughly 15 minutes, whereas it would take around 20 minutes from San Ysidro. By being aware of these timeframes, you can plan accordingly and arrive at your destination stress-free.

Airlines flying from Tijuana

Altogether, there are 5 air carriers providing service to and from Tijuana. These companies include:

  • Aeromexico: Leon/El Bajio, Guadalajara, Shanghai-Pudong, Mexico City, Tokyo-Narita / Seasonal: Culiacan, Morelia
  • Aeromexico Connect: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Culiacan, Durango, Ciudad Obregon, Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
  • Interjet: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Toluca
  • VivaAerobus: Hermosillo, Culiacan, Monterrey, Los Mochis
  • Volaris: Aguascalientes, Acapulco, Cuernavaca, Cancun, Culiacan, Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Los Mochis, La Paz, Leon/El Bajio, Mexico City, Mazatlan, Morelia, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta, Puebla, San Jose del Cabo, Toluca, Uruapan, Zacatecas

Business class flights from Tijuana

There are a total of 2 airports that have flights departing from Tijuana in Business Class. They are listed below for your convenience:

 Guadalajara (GDL)

Mexico

 Mexico City (MEX)

Mexico

International flights from Tijuana

There are no direct international flights departing from Tijuana at this time. To travel from Tijuana to another country, you will need a flight that makes a stopover in another location, such as Cancún or Mexico City.

Domestic flights from Tijuana

MexicoFlights from Tijuana to Mexico

There are plenty of domestic flights available from Tijuana International Airport (TIJ). In total, 38 airports across Mexico offer direct flights to and from TIJ, making it a convenient option for both leisure and business travelers alike. Whether you’re looking to explore the country’s vibrant culture or take advantage of its many business opportunities, TIJ is sure to have a flight that meets your needs.

  • You can travel to Aguascalientes and Acapulcowith Volaris Airlines.
  • You can make a direct flight to Cancún on Volaris or VivaAerobus.
  • Flights from Tijuana to Ciudad Obregón, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and Colima can all be taken directly with Volaris.
  • You can take a direct flight to Culiacán with either Volaris or VivaAerobus
  • It is possible to make a direct flight from Tijuana to Durango using Volaris.
  • Nonstop journeys to Guadalajara can be done with VivaAerobus, Aeromexico (SkyTeam), and Volaris.
  • Direct flights from Tijuana to Huatulco, Hermosillo, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, and La Paz are all provided by Volaris.
  • You can make a direct journey to León by using Volaris or VivaAerobus.
  • To Los Mochis and Loreto, you can take a trip with Volaris.
  • You can take a direct journey to Mazatlán with either Volaris or VivaAerobus
  • Direct flights to Mérida can be taken with Volaris.
  • Nonstop flights to Mexico City are provided by VivaAerobus, Aeromexico (SkyTeam), and Volaris.
  • All direct flights from Tijuana to Mexico City Santa Lucia and Mexico City/Tolucaare provided by Volaris.
  • You can catch a flight to Morelia and Monterrey with either VivaAerobus or Volaris.
  • Flights leaving from Tijuana and heading to Puebla, Oaxaca, and Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca are all serviced by Volaris.
  • You can make a direct journey to Puerto Vallarta aboard Volaris or VivaAerobus.
  • Direct flights to Querétaro can be taken with Volaris.
  • You can take a direct flight to San José del Cabo with either Volaris or VivaAerobus
  • All flights from Tijuana to San Luis Potosí, Tepic, Tapachula, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Torreón, Uruapan, Veracruz, and Zacatecas are serviced by Volaris.