Mexicana Airlines History: Mexico's First Airline, 1921–2010 – Airline Employee Shop

Mexicana Airlines History

Mexicana traced its roots to 1921, flew for nearly 90 years as one of the world's oldest airline names, and stopped flying in 2010 before the brand returned under the Mexican state in 2023. Here's a short history of Mexicana de Aviación, plus the Mexicana items that celebrate it.

Beginnings and the Pan Am years (1921–1950s)

The company was founded in 1921 as Compañía Mexicana de Transportación Aérea and took the name Compañía Mexicana de Aviación in 1924. In early 1929 Juan Trippe of Pan Am took control. That March, Charles Lindbergh flew mail between Mexico City and Brownsville, Texas, in a Ford Tri-Motor on the airline's new route to the United States.

Jets and growth (1960–1980s)

Mexicana bought four de Havilland Comet 4C jets and entered the jet age on July 4, 1960, with a Mexico City to Los Angeles flight. Boeing 727s followed in the late 1960s and became the backbone of the fleet for decades. The Mexican government took a 58 percent stake in 1982 and sold the airline back to private owners in August 1989.

Cintra, color and oneworld (1990s–2010)

In 1991 Mexicana painted its jets with colorful tails inspired by Mexican textiles. In the mid-1990s it was grouped with Aeroméxico under the holding company Cintra, though both kept their own brands. Cintra sold Mexicana and its low-fare arm Click Mexicana to Grupo Posadas in November 2005. Mexicana joined the oneworld alliance in November 2009.

Shutdown and revival (2010–today)

The recession and the 2009 H1N1 outbreak hit hard. Mexicana filed for bankruptcy protection and suspended all flights on August 28, 2010. It never flew again, and a judge declared it bankrupt in 2014. In 2023 the Mexican government bought the brand, and a new state airline run by the Ministry of Defense launched as Mexicana on December 26, 2023, with a first flight from Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Tulum.

A few things collectors love

  • The 1991 tapestry-style tails gave each jet a different burst of color.
  • The Mexicana eagle, redrawn over the years and last seen as a marine-blue eagle outline on the 2008 livery.
  • Charles Lindbergh himself flew mail on the 1929 Mexico City to Brownsville route.

Shop Mexicana

Browse Mexicana logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs among our Mexicana items. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for anyone who remembers flying Mexico's first airline.

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