After spending a couple of great days in Mexico City, it was time to leave. Mexico City was fantastic. I had mixed reactions from different people but I can proudly say that I really enjoyed myself while I was visiting. If you go, make sure you check out Teotihuacán and the anthropology museum…amazing but anyway, the report.
I took a taxi at around 6am from my hostel, which is really close to the Zócalo, to the airport. Since it was an early Sunday morning, I knew that there wouldn’t be any traffic so the trip was relatively short, but he was also speeding. I forget what time I arrived but I walked in the AA check-in area where a line had already formed. I immediately thought that the plane was going to be full on the way back. About 20 minutes later, I was checked in, and then I headed to security which was no problem.
A bad shot of the check-in area at MEX
Some of the Duty Free shops in MEX. I was really impressed with this area.
The gate had not been assigned yet, so walked around for a little bit and then sat in “Hall F3” and read. Soon enough it was time to board our flight to ORD.
Boarding went quick as the flight wasn’t sold out! I would say that about 95% of the Y cabin didn’t have someone sitting in the middle seats.
The interior of the aircraft was in pretty sad shape
We began to taxi to the runway and I notice the people movers and how they become gates at the terminal, which I found very clever!
Various AM aircraft (what is the AM MEX-NRT schedule by the way??)
Rolling down the runway
I saw this during the climb and was amazed, it was beautiful!
I decided to read some more once we reached cruising altitude which I believe was 36000ft. They had a movie on this flight which was Oceans 13. The drink cart came around twice and the same Buy-on-Board stuff was offered. One lady sitting across from me bought nearly $20 worth of stuff! The guy sitting next to me kept putting his trash in the seat back pocket even half full cans (more to come later on that).
Crossing the US border
Some airport…anyone recognize?
Another airport….anyone? I have no idea…
On decent, we circled ORD to get in line
I was irritated that I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane as we taxied towards the international terminal. I missed good pictures of all the planes there! Of the quick glance I saw KL 747, PrivatAir, LH 747, JL 747, several UA widebodies, SK, EI, VS, KE and then I did catch the BD flight land as we turned in to the VERY LAST gate!
After the mile and a half walk to customs, I got my bag, put it in the connecting flights pile and took the train to the main terminal to go through security. After that, I got some food and then sat near the gate in concourse H.
People waiting around the desk/gate because the flight crew got stuck in traffic on the way to the airport.
Once the F/A’s arrived, boarding went really fast since everyone was waiting right there.
AA1186
Depart – 14:15
Actual Depart – 14:30
Arrive – 16:35
Actual Arrival – 16:58
Equip. - 752
I tried to get a picture of the international terminal, but it was too far away for a good picture
I didn’t take any shots leaving ORD because I was once again on the wrong side of the plane to get any good pictures. One thing I found odd was that they had a drink service on a full 757 for a 52 minute flight…
Coming into DTW
Berry Terminal
North Terminal
Smith Terminal
Tried to get some pictures of the international flights at McNamara Terminal before the plane turned. I was able to see LH, AF and some NW 747’s and A333’s
After we parked at the gate, I went to get my bag, and since I was so close to the Big Blue Lot I just saved myself a buck and 15 minutes and walked to my car. On the way I got a picture of the front of the new North Terminal
It’s going to be nice!
Overall my experience with AA was pleasant. I have always avoided them before due to many rumors of bad service and uncomfortable seats but I think I might be willing to try them on a TATL flight I have in the spring…who knows!
KLM685 From Mexico, joined May 2005, 1577 posts, RR: 21 Reply 1, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 6902 times:
Wow! What an excellent Trip report! I'm glad you enjoyed Mexico City!
Excellent pictures! It's funny for me to read this as my best friend is going to Chicago in the same flight with AA as well. I hope she gets the 757 and then I can get a wonderful new safety card for my collection
Atrude777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5613 posts, RR: 54 Reply 2, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 6902 times:
The First Airport Pic you asked, seems ot be Lambert-St. Louis (STL) in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 2nd one seems to be I think Springfield, Illinois, SPI.
Great report! Good pictures.
Alex
Good things come to those who wait, better things come to those who go AFTER it!
MSYtristar From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 6242 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 6504 times:
AA has been doing a pretty decent job lately. I have been flying them a lot lately out of ATL as they undercut DL on a lot of the routes that I fly.
MaverickM11 From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 15743 posts, RR: 48 Reply 4, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 6504 times:
Quoting TwoLz2Rn (Thread starter): Some of the Duty Free shops in MEX. I was really impressed with this area.
I haven't been to MEX since 2004; was that right after security? Like literally the first step after leaving the Xray machine? I've noticed, primarily in Latin America, that there is a trend toward putting security basically *in* Duty Free. I'm not sure how I feel about it .
InbarD From Israel, joined Jan 2007, 219 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 6504 times:
Great trip report and pictures. Happy to hear AA did i good job. I've flown them several times and although they aren't the best airline in the world, they didn't disappoint me.
TwoLz2Rn From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 429 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6021 times:
Quoting Semsem (Reply 6): If I am correct Mexicana and Aeromexo do not charge for food on flights to the USA?
I think AA is the only airline that doesn't offer a meal from MEX-USA.
Davescj From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 2244 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 5591 times:
Quoting KLM685 (Reply 8): You're about right. They don't charge for any in any flight.
Neither does CO, but for real meals only lunch and dinner and over 3 1/2 hrs. That being said, the lunch snack tends to be a 3" subway sandwich + chips in the main cabin. BTW, the same snack is served on COX flights.
I can't get over that AA doesn't offer free food on a 4 hr flight. Doesn't everyone else?
Greggarious From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 361 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 5578 times:
Nice report! Mexico City is definitely on my to-do list at some point (although still characteristically smog-ridden, from the looks of it).
Quoting Davescj (Reply 10): I can't get over that AA doesn't offer free food on a 4 hr flight. Doesn't everyone else?
D'accord, especially since it's an international flight. However, I was given a full meal on a pair of flights from MIA to BOG and back earlier this year, which is never more than a 3.5 hour flight. Why the difference?
Sh0rtybr0wn From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 528 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (5 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 5536 times:
Nice Picture of the shadow of your plane...
Reminds me of the Jack Johnson song " Traffic in the Sky"
NwAflyer07 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 5184 times:
Looks like u had a great trip! Did you happen to talk any shots of the interior of the terminal in DTW? It's been forever since ive been there, im from DTW but always fly Northwest, and ive wanted to see some shots of it for a while.
PRAirbus From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2005, 1019 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 5032 times:
AA considers MEX a domestic market like the Caribbean flights therefore the level of service is poor and no frills in Coach. To BOG, it is considered South America and therefore they serve a hot meal in Coach, it has nothing to do with flight duration in that case. Most Mexicans are used to the high level of service on their legacy carriers (AM/MX) which is very good however I think that would change with the increased LCC competition and financial problems at AM. AA load factors to MEX have not decreased since the meals in Coach were eliminated. Business Class to/from MEX is usually 100% full and always has plenty of people on the upgrade list (Advantage members). If meals were that important, Mexican passengers should write to AA Consumer Relations but bottom line if they get the lowest fare they will fly AA to bitch and moan for not getting a hot meal on top of it! :O
Twolz2rn From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 429 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 4815 times:
Quoting Greggarious (Reply 11): Mexico City is definitely on my to-do list at some point (although still characteristically smog-ridden, from the looks of it).
Mexico City was very nice, but even in October, very smogy
Quoting NwAflyer07 (Reply 14): Did you happen to talk any shots of the interior of the terminal in DTW?
I tried when i first left the Smith terminal but it was too early in the morning. I didn't even think about it when i came back! From what i remember, it was VERY basic at the AA side of Smith. I remember walking past a Quizno's and there was a Starbucks in the middle where all the gates were.
DFW13L From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 4741 times:
Thanks for sharing. Once again, great pics. The duty free area looks fantastic, like you said. Thanks for trying AA! Also, I'm always impressed by the international lineup at ORD as well.
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16575 posts, RR: 11 Reply 18, posted (5 years 7 months 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 4314 times:
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