Starting in 2024: Phoenix to Tijuana, nonstop.
For the first time in years, Tijuana is getting a flight to the United States. But if you guessed Aeromexico Connect, Volaris, or Viva Aerobus, you’d have to guess again; more on this later.
On 15 February, American Airlines is taking up the helm. More specifically, SkyWest Airlines as American Eagle and its Embraer 175 regional jets will be operating the approximately one hour and 15 minute route.
And it’s already loaded into the AA system:
In addition to businesspeople visiting the maquiladores along the border, this route is neat if you’re all about excellent Tijuana food scene. Fish tacos and gastropubs spring to mind. But it’s also good for planning trips to the Valle de Guadalupe wine region, the spiny lobster (langosta) restaurants of Puerto Nuevo, and the spring break-heavy beaches of Ensenada and Rosarito.
Yes, I am constantly thinking about where to eat next.
According to aviaciononline.com (link in Spanish), Tijuana will represent American Airlines’ 26th Mexican airport receiving service, and the 12th Mexican airport with nonstop links to Phoenix.
But why couldn’t any of the Mexican operators get in on the action? You can thank the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, for that.
On 25 May 2021, the FAA downgraded its rating of Mexico’s aviation safety standards, from Category I to Category II. In essence, that means no Mexican airline can start new routes, nor can U.S. carriers codeshare with Mexican ones (i.e. sell tickets using their names on flights operated by Mexican airlines).
To me, the armchair aviation expert (in other words, not an expert), it’s another oddball consideration. There are still plenty of flights between the two countries — even more so in the winter to Mexican beaches — yet the safety assessment doesn’t affect those flights. That should help you understand who’$ in control of pulling the FAA’s strings.
On that note, American Airlines will soon be making the Phoenix to Tijuana rounds. That means Tijuana’s airport is safe enough for AA to perform take-offs and landings, but not for Aeromexico to head northeast to Phoenix.
This new route sounds appealing, especially as that San Diego to San Ysidro trip got tiring quickly. Instead, I’d fly to Tijuana, and eat up all of the fish tacos that I can. Then, I’d take a cheaper domestic flight; perhaps La Paz would make a nice repeat visit.
Is flying from the US to Tijuana ever cheaper than to San Diego? I wonder.
I appreciate your comment, Derek.
I reckon it would be the flights through Phoenix to Tijuana that would be at more approachable price points.
Not to mention, U.S. holidays/school breaks wouldn’t be the same for TIJ.
But if we’re asking how long the route will last? That’s a horse of a different color.
Interesting one