What a whirlwind for Mexicana, and their passengers: The airline entered bankruptcy, got bought by an alliance of investors and pilots, and shut down completely, all in the space of a month. And while the subsidiaries Mexicana Click (a discount airline) and Mexicana Link (a regional airline affiliate) were spared at first, they’re down for the count too.

Mexicana was once the largest airline in the country, so this is a major fall from grace. But regardless of the grandeur of it all, this affects a lot of people.

So how are their competitors responding? What are other airlines doing for stranded Mexicana passengers? Here’s a rundown for travel within Mexico and North America.

Mexico-based airlines:

Aeromexico
Passengers holding a Mexicana ticket issued on August 27 or earlier can fly standby on Aeromexico, if they are at the airport four hours in advance and pay a ticketing fee that varies according to destination. For example, a one-way flight to/from the US will run you $269-289. Intra-Mexican routes vary according to scheduled flight time, from 1599 to 2299 MXN. See their complete “passenger protection program.”

Volaris
Mexico’s main discount airline is offering “discounted” replacement fares for affected customers, but their website is mum about details.

Interjet
Intra-Mexican routes vary according to route, from 1399 to 1899 MXN. The published rules are vague.

U.S. based airlines:

American Airlines
Fellow oneWorld alliance member American is offering 20% discounts on replacement fares:

American and American Eagle are offering a special 20 percent discount off any published fare for customers holding tickets for confirmed bookings on cancelled Mexicana flights. Under this offer, effective today, American and American Eagle will replace a customer’s current travel itinerary with a new confirmed ticket to their original destination. Changes to the closest airport served by American or American Eagle are permitted only if American or American Eagle does not fly into the original destination. This offer is only valid for travel on American and American Eagle between the U.S. and Mexico within seven days of the original travel dates. Travel must be completed by Oct. 28, 2010. Tickets must be issued by Sept. 5, 2010.

Continental
$100 standby tickets — this is the best offer out there right now — but only through September 4:

Continental is offering Mexicana Airlines customers affected by the service suspension the ability to purchase a non-refundable standby ticket for $100 each way (plus applicable taxes) as long as their tickets were purchased on or before August 28, 2010 with travel scheduled through September 4, 2010. To purchase a standby ticket, present your Mexicana Airlines ticket to a Continental Airlines Ticket Counter representative at your departure airport.

Delta
Delta seems to be offering very little in the way of options:

Delta has terminated its ticketing and baggage agreement with Mexicana Airlines due to suspension of their operations. All reservations made and ticketed prior to August 28, 2010 will be honored as issued. Refunds are permitted if booked on Mexicana operated flight but ticketed under a Delta flight number. Please contact Reservations at 1-800-221-1212 for any questions.

United
… crickets chirping … I guess they’re letting future merger partner Continental carry the weight.

US Airways
US Airways isn’t giving much, but will accept electronic tickets issued by Mexicana if they included a US Airways flight. But paper tickets? “Customers without electronic tickets can purchase a new ticket on US Airways at the lowest available fare.” This is a first for me: that an electronic ticket is more easily transferable than an e-ticket. (Weird!) Other US Airways possibilities: “If a customer was originally ticketed on US Airways for travel on Mexicana Airlines and Mexicana Click, US Airways will offer a refund on any unused portion of the ticket or assist in obtaining a reservation on a US Airways flight to the final destination.” This is not much help.

Bottom line:
It looks like Continental is the way to go if flying from/to the US. If you’re within Mexico, Aeromexico has the network and breadth, but Interjet has the best replacement fares

(image)