- Introduction: Two Times To Latin America
- Review: LATAM Lounge Miami Airport (MIA)
- Review: LATAM Business Class Boeing 787 (MIA-SCL)
- Review: Ritz-Carlton Santiago, Chile (I’m Conflicted)
- Review: LATAM Lounge Santiago Airport (SCL)
- Review: SkyTeam Lounge Santiago Airport (SCL)
- Review: Delta One Business Class Airbus A350 (SCL-ATL)
- Review: Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta Airport (ATL)
- Review: Delta First Class Boeing 737-800 (ATL-MEX)
- Review: Hilton Mexico City Airport (MEX)
- Review: Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City Airport (MEX)
During my two times to Latin America review trip, I had the chance to check out the Aeromexico Salon Premier at Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX). This was prior to flying Aeromexico’s 737 MAX business class to Miami.
I’m conflicted about this lounge. On the one hand, it actually has a decent food selection, barista coffee, table service, and a spa area (with paid treatments). On the other hand, this place is an absolute madhouse, and I found the service in the lounge to be terrible, despite the high staffing levels.
I also apologize that this review won’t be as thorough as usual, as the lounge staff asked me to not take pictures (despite being the first person in the lounge, and trying to take pictures while respecting the privacy of others). Still, let me review the lounge to the best of my ability.
In this post:
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City location
Aeromexico has a couple of lounges at Mexico City Airport, and I used the carrier’s lounge that’s intended for international passengers. The lounge is located in Terminal 2 — after clearing security, just turn left and walk a short distance, and then you’ll see an elevator and set of stairs on the left, leading to the lounge.
Once on the upper level, turn right and look for the lounge exterior, which is hard to miss, as there’s a facade with light colored wood.
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City hours
The Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City Airport is currently open daily from 5AM until 1AM, so that covers a vast majority of departures on both Aeromexico and on SkyTeam partner airlines. I will say, in terms of passenger demand, it seems like the lounge should open a bit earlier. Prior to the lounge opening at 5AM, there was a line with dozens of people waiting to get in.
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City entry requirements
There are lots of ways to access the Aeromexico Lounge at Mexico City Airport, as the lounge follows standard SkyTeam lounge access rules:
- The lounge is open to Aeromexico business class passengers, and to business class passengers on other SkyTeam airlines
- The lounge is open to SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on a same day international SkyTeam flight
- The lounge is open to Priority Pass members, if traveling on a same day Aeromexico or SkyTeam flight
- The lounge is open to members of Aeromexico’s lounge membership program, plus access can be purchased for 880 MXN (~43 USD)
Let me state upfront that this lounge gets unbelievably crowded. I’ve never seen a lounge fill up so quickly after opening, because less than 30 minutes after opening, this place was totally slammed. So it’s interesting that Aeromexico lets Priority Pass members in, when crowding is such an issue. I guess the airline wants to monetize the lounge as much as possible.
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City seating & layout
The Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City is quite small for a “flagship” lounge at an airline’s only hub, especially when you consider how heavily banked Aeromexico’s network is.
The lounge has one main room, with a circular bar on each side of the room. The space between the two bars consists of rows of seats facing one another, plus some dining tables along the walls, each seating two people.
The buffet is off to the side of the main room. I wasn’t able to get pictures, since I was told pictures aren’t allowed in the lounge.
Then off to the side of the main room of the lounge is a smaller room, which has rows of chairs, plus some small nooks along the walls, each with a small number of seats. The back of this room also has a spa area, with paid treatments available.
The lounge also has an upper level, where you’ll find a restaurant and bar of sorts. I’ve heard that the food up there is for purchase, rather than being complimentary like downstairs, though someone correct me if I’m wrong.
All-in-all, it’s not a very big lounge when you consider the volume of passengers that it handles. Honestly, if you’re not looking to eat or drink, you might just find it more comfortable to sit in the gate area, in terms of spacing from other passengers.
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City food & drinks
The Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City has an extensive selection of food and drinks, though the emphasis seems to be on quantity over quality.
When it comes to drinks, there’s a selection of self-serve soft drinks, coffee, beer, etc. Then there are the two bars in the lounge, where bartenders can pour you drinks. There’s also barista coffee available at the bars, in theory (more on that below).
The food selection includes a basic buffet with things like cereal, pastries, and fruit. The rest of the food service setup is interesting — the lounge has an employee who has a station near the buffet, who will plate all of the hot options for you, so that you can customize them a bit. During my breakfast visit, options included chilaquiles, quiche, etc.
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City staffing & service
The Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City is one of the most well staffed lounges I’ve ever been to, in terms of the number of people working in it. There’s simply a wild number of employees in the lounge, from someone permanently stationed in the bathroom, to plenty of cleaning crew, to servers who are supposed to offer guests food and drinks.
To the lounge’s credit, the cleaning staff did a pretty good job keeping the lounge looking decent, given the volume of people using the lounge, plus the amount of consumption.
However, the table service is where this lounge totally falls apart. For example, I tried to go to the bar and order a cappuccino. I was going to wait for it, but a server said that I should have a seat, and she would bring it to me (she saw where I was sitting).
I waited 10 minutes, and there was no coffee. Another server was then asking those at the table next to me if they wanted anything to drink. So I asked him for a cappuccino, and he said he’d bring me one.
10 minutes later, there was still no drink. So then I asked the server again, and he apologized and said he’d bring it to me. 10 minutes later, there was still no cappuccino, and I gave up.
I don’t know if you’re expected to tip the servers ahead of time to take care of you, or what it takes to actually get service here? The bizarre part is that the servers love asking people if they can get them anything, but then don’t actually follow through on it.
Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City bathroom & showers
The Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City has a pretty basic bathroom setup. The men’s room had a few sinks, stalls, and urinals. At least it was clean, thanks to an employee being stationed in there to clean up after everyone.
The lounge also reportedly has some shower suites, though I wasn’t able to take pictures. I’ve also heard there can be a long wait for the showers, so you’ll want to get on the list ASAP, assuming you don’t have a very long time in the lounge.
Bottom line
On the surface, the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City could be pretty decent. It’s not that ugly of a lounge, and the variety of food and drinks is potentially decent.
The issue with this lounge comes down to crowding and service. Lounge crowding is normal nowadays, but this lounge was outrageously crowded, to the point that it was uncomfortable to be in. On top of that, the lounge has servers who roam around, but as soon as you actually want anything, they don’t deliver. I asked three different servers for cappuccinos, and all said they’d bring one to me, but didn’t.
Add in the lounge’s hostility to me taking pictures without violating peoples’ privacy, and I can’t say I was impressed…
What’s your take on the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City?
Have a layover at MEX in a few days. Anyone know how the AmEx Centurion lounge stacks up to the AM lounge?
This lounge is a dump.
I completely agree - and sadly I use it often. Unfortunately because of the cancellation of the new airport several years ago the situation in terminal two is not likely to improve anytime soon
Ben, you did not mention how awful Wi-Fi speeds are. Sometimes completely unusable
There's typically a line prior to opening at the Amex lounge down the hall as well. The ala carte breakfast there is worth the line up if you have time. They also have a shower available. There are no signs for the shower but will set it up for you if you ask.
A few things:
1) Delta was supposed to pour some money into this about a year ago. Their SkyClub leaders were consulting with Aeromexico on improving the lounge. I think that ended when the DOT took action. Not sure.
2) There are at least two other Aeromexico lounge options in Mexico City. They're all the same in terms of food and drink. There are also some other Priority Pass or credit card lounges,...
A few things:
1) Delta was supposed to pour some money into this about a year ago. Their SkyClub leaders were consulting with Aeromexico on improving the lounge. I think that ended when the DOT took action. Not sure.
2) There are at least two other Aeromexico lounge options in Mexico City. They're all the same in terms of food and drink. There are also some other Priority Pass or credit card lounges, including AmEx.
3) Outside breakfast, the food is limited. You have to pay for food if you want something beyond basic buffet grub.
4) Normally, the waiters are pretty good. They expect tips.
5) The booze selection is awful. Weirdly, Mexico is a wine-producing country but the lounge doesn't serve Mexican wine. The wine is just awful. They don't even have a premium bar option. If I was decent food (since I have to pay) and decent wine, I normally just go to the restaurant Casa Ávila. It's a short walk from the lounge and is, in my opinion, better.
6) There are always weird smells in the lounge, like faint traces of cigarette smoke. And the air conditioning is seemingly nonexistent. I always sweat through my clothes in the lounge.
7) As for opening hours, they definitely should open the lounge by 4 am because there are a significant number of early morning arrivals into Mexico City.
“ Add in the lounge’s hostility to me taking pictures without violating peoples’ privacy, and I can’t say I was impressed…”
I understand why that matters to you (and agree their denial is strange), but as a point of the review, why should it matter to anyone else?
@ Never In Doubt — I’m not necessarily saying it should, I’m just sharing my observations. I will say that given the rather incompetent service in the lounge otherwise, I think it’s not a coincidence that the lounge staff also make up rules.
"The lounge also has an upper level, where you’ll find a restaurant and bar of sorts. I’ve heard that the food up there is for purchase, rather than being complimentary like downstairs, though someone correct me if I’m wrong."
Why not just ask the staff in the lounge?
@ Julia — Because when I got to the upper level is the exact point at which I was confronted by staff about not taking pictures. Then I secured a table downstairs before they were all full, and then I spent 30 minutes waiting on the non-existent cappuccino, and then I had to go to the gate. :-)
There is a paid menu upstairs and downstairs.