Going to panama via Mexico city in January on aeromexico, how's the airport as far as getting bags clearing customs etc? I'm hoping 2.5 hours will be enough time, any tips or experience doing this would be great thanx

We went through Mexico City en route to Nicaragua in October from Calgary and had a similar length layover. We arrived to a massive room with probably more than a 1000 people in the foreigner line and 3-4 guards putting people through. It was quite slow but luckily after the Mexican passport holder line had finished they moved some people from the foreigner line into that line and we were near the front of it, otherwise it would have been tight. We met some people that missed their connecting flight due to this reason. But coming home there was no line at all. So advice is that it is unpredictable but don't waste anytime getting from the plane to the line in case it is busy. Luckily our connecting flight was close by after we were through with immigration and customs so hopefully it is the same for you! Good luck!

Wondering if time of day matters we arrive 630 am

That's when we arrived as well but we got in a bit late and the seemed to be a lot of flights arriving at that time.

So we pick up our luggage ,hit customs and immigration , drop luggage off again , then find our gate? Luckily both flights are handled in T2

Darren We just returned from Nicaragua last night. You actually go through customs first, then pick up luggage, drop it off and go through security. We had 2 hrs both ways and it was a tight connection. Our experience flying aeromexico, they departed late and therefore arrived late on all 4 of our flights.We also arrived early morning on the 14th and it was exactly how Jill explained above. Yesterday, was much better. Otherwise, we had a good experience with the airline itself.

Yup same with us when we went thru to Nica a couple if weeks ago. Massive lines for immigration...if the connection is tight i would try to go thru the line for Mexicans on the left. Once that line is short they let all the internatiinal passports thru it anyway. We did this same flight at the end of august too and we walked right thru...so strange...

Betty-An Glad you made it back ok

They don’t start processing people until 7-7:30am. Watch for when they open up the Mexican passport side to foreigners and jump into that side. We just made it through/to our flight with a 2.5 hour layover arriving at 6:30am. Mid day on our way back was no problem.

Make sure all your paperwork is 100% complete prior to getting to the guard, will bounce you for the tiniest thing, then you go to the end of the line and start again

Thinking of just carry on luggage to avoid that one step of picking up checked bags? May save some time ?

Yes if you have only carry on you dont have to claim luggage and go thru the random manual check...we never check bags even if we are going for 5 weeks. It is too much of a risk that bags wont make it and we rarely stay near the airport at our destination.

I am Mexican and I think the best thing will be to just have a carry-on bag if you can. Unless you need to pick up your luggage at your final destination is better. Call the aeroline before. Mexico's city airport is quite big but I am almost sure all the aeromexico flight leave from the same terminal if not 2.5 h is plenty

Mexican immigration can be quite unfriendly sometimes or super welcoming so be prepared with all your paperwork

Yes I think we are gonna use carry on luggage, just don't wanna be stressed to make our connecting flight

We had a 3 hour layover en route to Bogotá with aeromexico that turned into 2.5 after a delay in yyc (drunk guy in exit row refusing to leave). Would have missed the flight for sure if we weren’t accepted into Mexican national line.
On the flight back (arrived in Mexico City at 1030am) the customs line was much better but luggage took over an hour.

Just went through this week. Landed at 5:30 am and didn't get through until 8:15 am and we didn't have any checked bags. Not sure if that would have taken longer. It was a bit better coming home: landed at 3:30 pm and got to our gate at 5:10 pm. People with luggage got there at 5:30. This is probably the slowest airport I've ever travelled through. Good luck!

Ugh! Thanx