Terminal 1

2018 rebuild turned Acapulco into a single modern terminal

Since 2018, General Juan N. Álvarez International runs as one modern terminal building, so “Terminal 1” is just the main hall used by Aeroméxico, Interjet, VivaAerobus, and Volaris. All domestic and international flights share the same check-in counters, security lanes, and gate area, which keeps walking times short compared with older multi-terminal layouts.

Four airlines use this setup: Aeroméxico, Interjet, VivaAerobus, and Volaris all check in on the same departures level of the 2018 terminal. Counters sit in one long line directly in front of the main entrance, so even at peak times you can walk from one end to the other in under five minutes if you need to switch queues or compare bag-drop waits.

Security sits just past the shared check-in area, with all passengers for Terminal 1 using the same screening point before reaching the gates. Because the building opened in 2018, lanes and equipment are relatively new, and most reports mention getting from check-in through security in about 15–25 minutes on normal days. Build the buffer if you are flying on a Sunday afternoon or around major Mexican holidays.

Gates spread along a single concourse that connects directly to the post-security zone of the 2018 terminal, so you are rarely more than a 5–7 minute walk from the farthest boarding door. With no catalogued restaurants, lounges, or shops specific to Terminal 1, plan on basic terminal seating near your gate and buy food or drinks in town or at your hotel before heading to the airport.

Arrivals for all four airlines route through the ground floor of the same 2018 building, feeding into a single baggage claim hall. Baggage carousels sit only a short walk from the exit doors, and because the airport size is modest, bags for Aeroméxico, Interjet, VivaAerobus, and Volaris flights often appear within about 15–30 minutes of arrival, barring weather or operational delays.

Immigration and customs for international flights operate inside this unified terminal as well, with passport control before the single baggage claim hall and customs screening just after the carousels. Expect 20–40 minutes from door-open to curb on a typical international arrival, longer if two or three flights from Aeroméxico or Volaris land within the same 30-minute window.

Ground transport lines up directly outside the 2018 arrivals hall, with official taxis and pre-arranged shuttles sharing the same curb area that serves all airlines. Because there is no separate Terminal 2 to mix things up, drivers wait at one clear meeting point, and the walk from baggage claim to the curb usually takes under three minutes even with a checked bag.

One practical tip: with no guaranteed dining or lounge setup inside Terminal 1 of the 2018 building, eat a full meal in Acapulco and arrive at the airport already stocked with snacks and a refillable bottle, then clear security about 90 minutes before domestic departures and two hours before international flights.