La Manzanilla Message Board

La Manzanilla Message Board
[ La Manzanilla Message Board ]

RIDE SHARE POSTS, RENTAL REQUESTS AND ITEMS WANTED/FOR SALE MUST HAVE CONTACT INFO IN THE POST.

IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by AnneliF <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=AnneliF' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 14, 2026, 5:33 pm

I just dropped off my husband at ZLO, for his Alaska flight to LAX. We arrived more than an hour before departure. We are usually there much earlier than that.

His flight was scheduled for 3.51 pm and we came to the counter at 2.35 pm.

But they told him he could not check in, meaning he would miss his flight, since for an international flight he has to be there 3 hours ahead of time. Those are the rules, they said. He should have been there at 1 pm!!

We knew that those are the recommendations at airports, but we have never known them to be rules…

In the end, they told my husband they would make an exception for him, this one time and they let him check in so he did not miss his flight.

So 3 hours at the tiny/nothing to do ZLO airport…?!!! Especially off season. Ouch!

I hope they will realize their new rule is not practical nor realistic for a small airport like ZLO and I am sure many customers will complain.
I guess I will be the first…

Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by AnneliF <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=AnneliF' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 14, 2026, 5:44 pm, in reply to "IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport"

Here is the link to the GAP contact form, in case you want to voice your opinion about the required/obligatory 3 hours before departure at ZLO airport:

https://aeropuertosgap.com.mx/es/contacto.html

Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by DanPatman <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=DanPatman' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 15, 2026, 10:43 am, in reply to "Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport"

That has been the rule since I was a child. Sure you could get away with a bit closer to the time, but 90mins for an international flight, no chance. Even for a domestic flight that is pushing it.

And in Manzanillo especially so. The front desk staff for check in, also attend everything airside and there are rules, timings and proceedures to follow that take time and they are within their rights to deny you access for not following the rules established in the conditions of your tickets that you agreed to when you purchased them.

Dan
Flip Flop Nomad Tours

Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by AnneliF <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=AnneliF' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 15, 2026, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport"

Ok thank you for that information Dan.

Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by DhyanaB <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=DhyanaB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 15, 2026, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport"

I remember following that ʻruleʻ for a morning flight and having to sit on the curb for an hour after the taxi dropped me off because the airport was still closed.

Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by AnneliF <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=AnneliF' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 15, 2026, 12:13 pm, in reply to "Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport"

From Alaska Airlines official website:

“ Check-in & boarding cut-off times
Minimum required check-in with bags
When you check bags on our flights, you must make sure that all of your checked luggage has been received by the airline and a valid boarding pass is received no later than the cut-off times listed below to avoid rebooking on a later flight.

In order to ensure your bags are turned over in time, you’ll need to be in the bag drop line well before the cut-off. Please refer to our
airport guides for recommended arrival times at your departure airport.

International flight - 60 min
Domestic US flights - 50 min
“

There may be a local practice at ZLO that is stricter, but I could not find any published Alaska rule saying ZLO requires a 3-hour advance check-in.

I am checking with ZLO airport and chatting with Alaska Airlines for confirmation/clarification and I will keep you updated.

We have been flying out of ZLO for over 17 years and we have never had any problems.

Ps. I can see everyone getting very drunk in the waiting area for 3 hours.

At least the airport will sell more of their expensive sandwiches, snacks, water and alcohol.
Pps. I am sorry to hear about your experience Dhyana.

Re: IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport

Posted by LynnE <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/lamanzanillainfo/info/user=LynnE' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 15, 2026, 2:01 pm, in reply to "IMPORTANT change at Manzanillo Airport"

If temporary and permanent residents still need to check in at Immigration first, keep that in mind when you plan your timing. When I flew to the US for the first time in 19.5 years, the only INM agent at ZLO was checking in arriving passengers on a private plane out on the tarmac. This took so long that, if the arriving flight from Houston hadn't been so late, I (and Clayton) would have missed our outgoing flight back to Houston.

« Back to index

[ La Manzanilla Message Board ]