Tulum has already opened its new airport for U.S. travelers hoping to make the trek to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula — one that doesn’t involve packed terminals and crazy Cancun crowds. The airport technically opened in December, but that was for domestic flights operating within Mexico.
“Tulum is at the top of a lot of travel lists – great beaches and restaurants, and a region featuring a rich history and spectacular natural beauty,” said United’s senior vice president of Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle.
US Airlines to Tulum
With this in mind, United Airlines will serve Tulum from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
And the growth will continue from there.
United plans to add another nonstop from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) later this spring. The airline is also increasing their flight capacity to the region with more winter flights to Cancun International Airport, and other destinations in Latin America.
American will operate once-daily flights from Charlotte and Miami and twice-daily from its mega-hub at Dallas-Fort Worth, using its staple 737 aircraft for short- to medium-haul routes.
“American continues to enhance our comprehensive global network with more nonstops to destinations our customers want to visit,” said Brian Znotins, senior vice president of network and schedule planning of American Airlines. “With more flights to Tulum from the U.S. than any other airline, American will offer convenient nationwide connectivity to this popular vacation gem on the Riviera Maya.”
JetBlue is also venturing into Tulum, with plans to launch service later this spring from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
International Airlines Plan Service, too
Beyond routes to the U.S. and domestic Mexican routes, Air Canada will offer nonstops from Montreal and Toronto, and Copa Airlines plans to fly to Tulum from its Panama City home base.
Spirit Airlines hoped to launch service to Tulum, but had to postpone those plans amid fleet constraints.
Altogether, airlines plan to offer some 170,000 seats out of Tulum by July, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium — an increase from 45,000 or so flown by Mexican carriers last month.
Tulum Airport vs. Cancun Airport
Eventually, Tulum’s new airport may have the capacity to handle as many as 5 million passengers annually.
Even with its fast early growth, don’t expect the experience at the new airport to be anything like Cancun.
The older Yucatán airport is bigger and busier, with four terminals, dozens of gates and planes arriving from around the world.
Just last year, in fact, Cancun saw nearly 4.8 million travelers from the U.S. alone pass through its customs facilities, according to a recent report from Mexico’s tourism minister.
Tulum is far less crowded, with its single terminal and space for 13 aircraft at any one time.
Tulum’s airport itself is more modern, with natural light pouring into the ticketing area through a translucent roof, and more technically advanced identity verification stations at check-in and security.
The airport is also a far more convenient option for travelers hoping to visit Tulum itself and other nearby parts of the Riviera Maya. After all, visiting Tulum and the surrounding area, historically, has required a flight to Cancun and then a 1.5-2 hour ride.
Not Without Problems
That’s not to say the airport won’t have its own problems.
First of all, the airport is not actually in Tulum. It’s 20 or more miles from town, and a good 40-minute ride from many of the hotel zone.
Parts of the airport remain under construction, too. With few food options, although signs show more choices are on the way.
The air conditioning wasn’t ready for the launch of U.S. flights, either. The airport set up large mobile fans throughout the terminal.
Is it Worth Flying into Tulum Airport?
Yes! Despite the early kinks, the Tulum airport will offer travelers a convenient way to explore Yucatán Peninsula without the Cancun crowds, long customs lines, and 1.5-2 hour ride. Be sure to reserve your private transportation with our Tulum airport transfer service and be well-prepared. See our Tulum airport reels here or here.
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