When I packed my backpack to head out the door a few days ago for a review trip, I didn’t think I’d end up crossing the Pacific, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Planning an open-ended review trip is kind of fun, eh?
In this post:
Recapping my review trip up until this point
A few days ago, I shared the details of the open-ended Latin America review trip that I booked. There are obviously lots of airline products I’ve been wanting to review, and I tend to plan my review trips last minute. I do this for a couple of reasons:
- Award availability is often best at the last minute, so it’s a great time to plan, especially if you don’t really care where you’re going 😉
- In terms of my personal commitments, it’s easiest to just plan last minute, when I know it’s a good time to travel, and everyone is doing okay at home
So earlier this week I planned the first portion of my review trip, as I flew LATAM’s Boeing 787 business class from Miami to Santiago, and then Delta’s A350 business class from Santiago to Atlanta (with a connection to Mexico City). My goal was then to continue the review trip from Mexico City.
When I embarked on the trip, I couldn’t find any great award options. I knew my next goal was to fly the Aeromexico Boeing 787-9, and I had noticed that the airline tends to open up business class award space at the very last minute (we’re talking within a day or two of departure).
So, I’ve now finalized the rest of my trip, and it’s taking me somewhere I wasn’t expecting.
I’m flying Aeromexico’s 787-9 to Tokyo Narita!
I was hoping to fly an Aeromexico Boeing 787 to Buenos Aires, or Madrid, or Paris, or somewhere along those lines. Unfortunately none of those routes opened up. What did open up was Aeromexico’s 787 business class from Mexico City to Tokyo Narita via Monterrey. The flight has that stop because Mexico City is at such a high altitude, limiting takeoff performance. As a result, the plane can’t make it across the Pacific without a refueling stop.
Okay, I’ve gotta be honest, 17hr20min is more time than I’d like to spend on an Aeromexico plane (or any plane, for that matter), but I couldn’t argue with the price. I booked it for just 88,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles (which I acquired with a transfer bonus), and there weren’t even any carrier imposed surcharges. Suffice it to say that I’ll be intimately familiar with Aeromexico’s Dreamliner by the time I make it to Japan.
I do have one random question for folks who may be more familiar with this flight than I am. Do you know if you clear departure immigration in Mexico City or in Monterrey? I’m just trying to figure out my lounge review situation, since I always like to review lounges early in the morning, but I assume that once I enter the international departures area, I can’t easily exit, and return later in the day?
I’m also flying Korean Air’s 787-10 & 777-300ER!
While I was happy to have a ticket on Aeromexico’s Boeing 787-9, Japan isn’t exactly a convenient place to end up if the goal is to get home. So I looked at the most interesting and efficient way to get home, and I came up with something that I think will make for an interesting review.
I have a stash of Korean Air SkyPass miles, from back in the day when the program was a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. At the time, Korean Air first class awards were wide open, but nowadays the space is almost entirely blocked, so I haven’t known what to do with them.
Fortunately I found what I’d consider to be a very cool routing to get home, with a product I haven’t yet reviewed. So I booked the following:
- I’m booked in Korean Air’s new Boeing 787-10 business class from Tokyo to Seoul
- I’m booked in Korean Air’s Boeing 777-300ER business class from Seoul to Chicago (the airline has Apex Suites on these jets)
At the cost of 62,500 Korean Air SkyPass miles, I’d consider that to be quite a good deal. For that matter, I’m happy just to be able to redeem those miles, since they’ve been turning a hole in my (virtual) pocket.
I have another question for this portion of the trip. Long story short, I have around eight hours at Narita. My flights arrive at and depart from Terminal 1. Do I go to Terminal 2 and check out the “nine hours” capsule hotel, or any other tips for where to get some rest?
Bottom line
My Latin America review trip has taken a bit of a turn… literally. While I was initially going to try to limit my trip to the Americas, I wanted to do whatever I could to fly the Aeromexico Boeing 787-9 on a long haul flight, and that’s now taking me to Japan. From there, I’ll return to the United States on Korean Air, including experiencing the carrier’s new business class.
I know a lot of people wanted a Boliviana de Aviacion review. Don’t worry, I’m absolutely desperate to fly with the airline, and once I get back home and catch up on sleep, I’ll be taking that A330 flight out of Miami…
Any predictions as to how these flights will go? Did I do okay?
Monterrey local here. There is no departure emigration formalities at any mexican airport. You'll likely maybe will just be asked for a migration form that can be filled right in the gate area, if provided. This is more likely to happen in MTY, as AM also sells the MEX-MTY sector as a domestic fligjht (hence why I think that if they decide to ask for the migration form, that should happen in MTY). Quite a...
Monterrey local here. There is no departure emigration formalities at any mexican airport. You'll likely maybe will just be asked for a migration form that can be filled right in the gate area, if provided. This is more likely to happen in MTY, as AM also sells the MEX-MTY sector as a domestic fligjht (hence why I think that if they decide to ask for the migration form, that should happen in MTY). Quite a treat to flight a 1 hour domestic flight in a 787-9 if you ask me!
At the same time, other passengers will board in MTY, either originating there o connecting from other cities. About 10 years ago there used to be a flight to FCO that also originated in MEX but stopped here at MTY. I took it one and all passengers (those originating at MEX) had to disembark, wait at the gate area and then return onboard together with the new passengers (they gave those from MEX a special transit card). If the procedures are the same, maybe that will happen to you.
At NRT I'd book a day room at the Hilton and use the nice lap loop in addition to a bit of sleep if needed.
"Do you know if you clear departure immigration in Mexico City or in Monterrey?"
There is no departure immigration when departing MEX.
I have taken domestic and international flights from Terminal 2 and always left from the same gate area.
If you have 9 hours during the day, go to:
http://www.unagi-kawatoyo.com/foreign/index.html
The restaurant is one of few in Japan that grills fresh eel.
The restaurant is in the Naritasan Omotesando area. After you enjoy the eel, you can walk around the small town area.
https://www.nrtk.jp/translate/index.php?lang=en&path=/enjoy/attraction/omotesando.html
Glad I could help with Aeromexico's asian long haul destination suggestions!
Please comment on the status of Mexican food on these flights, since their menus are planned by renowned Mexican chefs, the flights are departing the country of origin, and it would be strange if they didn't offer this well-loved cuisine.
Also, is the premium worth it for the relatively short flight from Tokyo to Seoul?
Just curious, if MEX had a longer runway would that have prevented the need for a fueling stop?
Quite likely, but not necessarily. One of the issues large heavy gets run into on heavy and high altitude takeoffs with powerful engines isn’t runway length but wheel rotation limitations. Wheels on planes are only certified to spin up to a certain speed, say 180kts ground speed, and even with an 18,000 foot runway, V2 may be above 180kts.
Flying Aeromexico is not that fun - I bet you’ll have to exit the plane in Monterey to get your passport stamped… And the food quality? Don’t get too excited! Hopefully I am wrong but at least you’ll have a chance to catch up on your sleep and take a shower before your return on Korean air.
Would be nice if AM served actual Mexican food instead of super generic Western food. Unfortunately a lot of upper class Latin Americans look down on their own cuisines and would rather go for pseudo-Italian/French.
I've heard about this as well. It is super disappointing if they're not able to serve their own national cuisine on a flight departing the flag carrying country.
You don't get a stamp exiting Mexico. I've had great food on Aeroméxico business class. I agree it could have been a bit more Mexican, but I somehow don't think that European passengers would be excited to try chapulines etc.
Lately, I've found much more award availability out of Seoul than Tokyo. Since I fly a lot to Japan, I usually return by way of ICN.
Ben – Looking forward to reading your review of the Korean Air flights. I very recently flew the same ICN to ORD route and thought the soft product (including the ICN lounges) ranked near the bottom of any long haul business class flight I have taken in the past couple years. Bedding was pathetic (thin blanket and no mattress pad) and food paled in comparison to BR, CI, CX, JL, MH, NH and SQ.
"since they’ve been turning a hole in my (virtual) pocket."
You mean burn, not turn, right?
You don't leave the plane in Monterrey so you will only be able to review the lounge in Mexico City.
I'm so happy to see that you will review this flight. I'm curious if was it possible to book the 737 MAX first to Monterrey and then the 787 to Tokyo so you could experience both planes and both lounges (MEX and MTY) or was there only availability to Tokyo departing from Monterrey?
"Tokyo Narita via Monterrey. The flight operates via Monetary"
This should say "Monterrey", not "Monetary".
@ Charles -- Indeed, thanks! Fixed.
Book a refundable jal and visit the first class lounge for sushi and whisky:)
The JAL lounge is wildly overrated.
This... the curry and sushi is good, but it isn't anything special
Liam from TPG recently flew Aeromexico via MTY to Seoul in their video uploaded 5 days ago. You stay on the plane during the stop. You'll be very familiar with the seat as you say!
Ben, I know you must have some very hard opinions about Brazilians. And I can definitely agree with you. Specially with the ones living in Florida....
But trying Azul and Latam 777 would pretty much piece all the major carriers.
GRU has changed a bit in terms of lounge since you last visited it.
How about staying at the "Hotel Blanc Chapel Christmas Narita". It is a love hotel Christmas themed .7 km from Narita airport. Can get a room for $49.
And you can catch a ride with the free shuttle to International Garden Hotel NRT from the airport, which is directly across the street from Chapel Christmas.
Haters be damned, this blog is fun
There's no departure immigration leaving Mexico.
Looking forward to AM 787 review!
Are you going to try to waitlist an F award for KA?
@ Nick — KE no longer sells first class on the route, though the cabin is there, so I guess some people get assigned those seats, and get business class service.
Is there a way to assign yourself one of those seats?
You need to be top tier or in full flex business fare to preassign those seats.
I’m very happy to be getting review content! Thanks for putting in the hard work for us after all these years
Happy to know that you'll be flying KE again after a long time. But like others have been suggested, it's a bit disappointing that you decided to take a rather generic ending of this trip - missing chances to fly on other airlines (at least some of) the readers are more curious about.
But to be fair, your trip itinerary isn't all that bad, and I'm interested more than enough.
That's disappointing. So your "Latin America Review Trip" will consist of flying precisely two LatAm carriers (and the two most widely covered ones, for that matter). Trying airlines such as Azul, Gol, Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca (now that they have resumed offering business class) would be much more useful than yet another Delta or Korean Air review...
Monterrey (MTY) not Monterey (MRY) not Monetary. ;-)
Can't wait to see your review. I really enjoyed my westbound overnight J trip on the AM 789. It was a bit sparse but certainly a nice product and great crew.
Mexico doesn't have departure immigration controls.
Correct. The best lounge option in MEX T2 is the Amex lounge which can be quite busy in the morning and often has a line. The chilaquiles are good.
There are a couple of Aeromexico lounges as well that he will have access to, but they are very underwhelming and usually quite busy.
Go to the Art Hotel outside Narita for the outdoor onsen under the departure path of runway 34L. Watch planes and relax in the hot water!
Good on you for taking the leap. Look forward to reading about the trip.
Surprise surprise, you end up in Asia again … we all know the Asians do service better Ben, but the rest of us do enjoy travel to Latin America too. We would love to see some legitimate attention paid there to the real world airline options down south.
Just for our fun, and a dose of reality…Why don’t you fly the copa airlines 737 (old upright business class seat option of course) from EZE to Miami or NYC with the Panama City connection to get home?
If you guys are going to whine, can you at least take 5 seconds to Google before doing so?
Search: copa site:onemileatatime.com
@ Scott — As noted by Santos, I recently reviewed Copa’s 737 business class…
@Ben Schlappig - I think they're talking about Copa Airlines' 737 MAX business class (Collins Diamond seats).
@ NS -- Well, that's what I would think, but he wrote "old upright business class seat option of course," so I'm not sure...
Touché! Ben Touché!
Amazing stuff, Ben! This is why I love this blog - so much better than your competition!
At MEX T2, domestic and international departures were mixed together with domestic. I don’t remember having to do departure immigration at MEX in the last year.
No intl departures in Mexico.. it’s like the U.S. in that regard so no worries there . Excited for this one!!! And better choice than the -8 to Seoul!
You clear departure immigration in CDMX. MTY is a technical stop of about 1 hour and you won’t get off the plane in Monterrey
Better pray for cool weather if this stop is anything like the stop in Sudan coming out of Addis. Stay on the plane while they refuel with none of the power on. it was like an oven
APU should be hooked up during refuel. Maybe Sean M can offer insight into why this wouldn't be done in an African airport. But yeah, that sucks.
LOL! I will be transiting through Narita to Sapporo this coming Monday and staying at the 9hr Capsule Hotel too, just for the novelty! Hope our paths cross. I also plan to visit the city of Narita during that couple of hours to savour their famous grilled eel rice bowl.
SO YOU’RE NOT GONNA REVIEW GOL AND/OR AZUL?!?! I was hoping so much for you to fly some lesser-known Latin American airlines. And what do we get in its place? A bunch of Delta and Korean Air?! I do understand that you’re on a mission to maximise SkyTeam elite status, but… (Though this might be a useful place to talk about how KE and OZ are perfectly nice airlines, but not as spectacular as those...
SO YOU’RE NOT GONNA REVIEW GOL AND/OR AZUL?!?! I was hoping so much for you to fly some lesser-known Latin American airlines. And what do we get in its place? A bunch of Delta and Korean Air?! I do understand that you’re on a mission to maximise SkyTeam elite status, but… (Though this might be a useful place to talk about how KE and OZ are perfectly nice airlines, but not as spectacular as those from Taiwan and Japan: EVA, ANA, JAL and Starlux. Kind of like Saudia or Gulf Air when compared to Qatar Airways.)
And having come all the way to Asia, it’s a shame that you’re going to return right back to the US, instead of flying new products like, um, the SQ 737 MAX (from Busan, yes!), and the soon-to-disappear Vistara A321neo and/or 787… (There’s only two months left for that to vanish, you know?)
I’m disappointed, Lucky. Sorely disappointed! ;)
@ VT-CIE — I’ll do Boliviana de Avicaion and GOL together on one trip soon, MIA-VVI-GRU. But I had no way to get to GRU with an interesting review to position for that, which is why I went with this option. And I think KE’s 787-10 J is especially interesting, at least.
On the topic of Azul, it seems there’s never any J award availability, and fares are steep. Any tricks I’m missing?
@Ben Schlappig - Azul sometimes release J award availability to/from MCO and FLL using TAP miles.
You can book Azul business sometimes with Aeroplan miles for 50k points. Or MileagePlus for 88k. You want to search from VCP.
@ Remote -- I know it's possible in theory, but I only ever see economy availability. I'm curious, has anyone actually seen a J award seat on a long haul through Aeroplan or MileagePlus in recent times? On any day on any route?
Try Oct. 17
That was VCP-FLL.
I don't think so. Obviously, I know that you're not saying that KE/OZ pair is exact equivalent of SV/GF or similar airlines of ME, but that's an understatement. JL,...
I don't think so. Obviously, I know that you're not saying that KE/OZ pair is exact equivalent of SV/GF or similar airlines of ME, but that's an understatement. JL, NH and BR are for sure better than KE and OZ, but not to the degree where you should compare them to SV - no alcoholic beverages, mediocre services, etc. KE and OZ aren't as good as they used to be, but they're still keeping high standards, or at least higher standards than SV.
Gotta agree with your thoughts on Ben returning right away though. Especially the Vistara part - there might be no point of reviewing an airline that will not exist in two months, but in other words, Ben and us will never be able to know about what the airline was really like.