Trip Report: Aeromexico 787 JFK - MEX in Business Class

- March 22, 2018

As a food-loving aviation nerd with bad sinuses, I've been really excited about the 787 ever since I first heard about its groundbreaking cabin humidity and air pressure levels. We've made a bit of extra effort to get flights on the 787 whenever (reasonably) possible and I definitely find myself less fatigued from the journey and the food does seem to taste a bit better.

Most of the direct flights from the US to Mexico are 38" domestic First recliner seats with limited food and alcohol choices. When we heard that Aeromexico's 787 was going to have an international configuration with lie-flat seats we were excited to give it a try. We changed up our normal routine of flying direct on United for our annual New York to Puerto Vallarta trip and routed through Mexico City instead.

I'd say it's a tough call to decide between flying direct on the second-rate "First Class" service offered by United and flying Aeromexico's 787 connecting service. But given how quickly the direct flights on United fill up (especially in First), their extremely limited award seats, and twice-weekly service, Aeromexico is a nice, flexible alternative.

Pros

JFK Delta lounge is great: hot food, outdoor seating, plenty of space, free beer and wine
Nice lounge in Mexico City
Lie-flat, international long haul seats with seat-back entertainment and power
Unique (and newly-changed) upgrade system
Nearly unlimited award seating via Amex point transfers
Champagne and premium tequila on board
Daily service (United's direct flights to Puerto Vallarta are only twice weekly)
Personal air vents

Cons

Onboard food isn't very good (very similar to the big US carriers)
One flight a day. MEX > JFK flight leaves at 6:30am (!!), JFK > MEX is at 1:40pm
The seat-back entertainment was very glitchy, hopefully that's fixed now
...No really, like the boarding music (Sting's "if I ever lose my faith") kept playing every time the system crashed so we heard that song 4 dozen times. (Yes, I did lose my faith!)
If you book this flight with points, beware the Amex transfer times to Aeromexico