Trip Report: Aeromexico 787 JFK - MEX in Business Class

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

UPDATE: We've taken this flight several times now, and this review has been updated to include newer pictures and info

JFK Delta Lounge pictures

Pierre Herme and a spa

The lounge is vast

Outdoor seating

Hot food!

The flight(s)

our plane!

787 tinted windows

32 business class seats

toilet with a view...

2018 Food and Menu

2018 Menu (click to enlarge)

2018 Menu (click to enlarge)

Previous years' food

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First Class lounge in Mexico City