My Latin America review trip sure has some highs and lows. After enjoying the modern wonders of Delta’s Boeing 737-800, and soaking in the views from the Hilton Mexico City Airport, my next stop was the Aeromexico Lounge at Mexico City Airport.
I was looking forward to reviewing the SkyTeam carrier’s “flagship” lounge, though that didn’t work out quite the way I had hoped…
Aeromexico employee tells me no photos allowed!
I’ve written in the past about the unglamorous reality of my review trips, including details of how I review lounges. Whenever possible, I visit airport lounges the moment they open, since I want to be able to photograph them well, while respecting the privacy of others. After all, I think I owe it to you guys to put in the effort.
Yesterday morning, I was looking forward to reviewing the Aeromexico Lounge at Mexico City Airport. The lounge opened at 5AM, so as I usually do, I was lined up outside the lounge by 4:30AM, so that I’d be the first one in there, and could get “clean” pictures.
All started out okay, as the lounge opened on schedule, and I immediately started snapping photos (for those curious, I’m simply using an iPhone). I took about a dozen pictures, and was then approached by an Aeromexico employee:
Aeromexico employee: “Is everything okay?”
Me: “Oh yes, it’s a nice lounge, I was just snapping a few pictures.”
Aeromexico employee: “Pictures in the lounge aren’t allowed.”
Me: “Really? I’m not taking pictures of any people, just of the lounge itself.”
Aeromexico employee: “Only pictures of yourself are allowed.”
Me: “I respect that, but why? Aeromexico doesn’t have a rule against taking pictures, as long as people aren’t in them.”
Aeromexico employee: “This is the lounge rule.”
I didn’t argue further, though I was somewhat tempted to continue photographing the lounge in selfie mode — here’s me with snack mix, and me with the espresso machine, and me in the toilet (okay, not that). That was a throwback to my 2012 Park Hyatt Shanghai stay.
Look, I can appreciate if the lounge attendants want to stop disruptive passengers, or those photographing others. But as longtime OMAAT readers know, I go great lengths to be respectful with my photography, and not violate the privacy of others. I mean, just look at all my airport lounge reviews.
My guess is that the agent was just making up what she was saying, but who knows, perhaps there is some lounge specific rule. Lots of airlines understandably have rules against photographing others, but very few have rules against pictures in general.
I also recognize that I’m probably pretty unique in terms of how I go about taking pictures in lounges, and how it could look different than what they’re used to. I basically take a bunch of pictures within the first two minutes, before the lounge fills up, and then that’s usually the extent of it.
Amazingly enough, the last time I was told not to take pictures in a lounge was back in 2016 at Baku Airport, prior to a Ukraine International Airlines business class flight to Kyiv. So I guess I should consider myself lucky that I haven’t dealt with this in the past eight years.
So, how was the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City?
My photography experience aside, how was the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City? I’m conflicted, as it exceeded my expectations in some ways, but also kind of wasn’t great.
On the plus side, the lounge is physically nice enough. The food selection was also better than I anticipated, with a solid selection of hot dishes. There was even barista coffee*. The lounge is also extremely well staffed, and there are lounge attendants who roam around and offer to bring you drinks, food, etc.* There’s also a spa, with paid treatments.
All that being said, OMG, this lounge is as packed as a Taylor Swift concert. It’s uncomfortably busy, with people everywhere. And this was within minutes of arriving in the lounge. The level of crowding really takes away from the experience, because they can’t keep up with the level of demand.
For example, I went to the bar to 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.
Anyway, I still intend to write a full review of the lounge, but it just won’t have as many pictures as usual…
Bottom line
I realize my travel is a little different than that of most, and the way I document my travels sometimes seems unusual to people. Despite that, I rarely run into issues. Yesterday was different, as I was told in the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City that photos weren’t allowed, even if other people aren’t in them.
Hey, it’s not a huge deal, and if anything, I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often, as I last had a similar issue in 2016, in Baku. So I apologize in advance that my review of the lounge will be a bit lackluster. I can tell you with certainty it won’t make my list of the world’s best first or business class lounges. 😉
So, anyone know if Aeromexico actually has some rule against lounge photography that I don’t know about, or was this employee just making stuff up?
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