While we also visited Mexico City on this trip, that happened on our way back, meaning that we connected same day from the US to start our journey to Easter Island. You’ll want to leave plenty of time for any international connection in Mexico City, since all passengers have to clear immigration when transiting Mexico, even if they’re connecting between two international points — there’s no sterile transit.
On top of that, immigration lines at Mexico City Airport are consistently the worst I’ve seen anywhere in the world. I’ve never waited for less than 30 minutes, and this trip was no exception.
Eventually we were through immigration and in the check-in hall, at which point we headed straight for security, as we already had our mobile boarding passes for our flight. The bizarre thing is that while I’ve never waited less than 30 minutes in the immigration queue at Mexico City Airport, I’ve also never waited for even a minute at security. So we were through quickly, and the security officers were friendly and efficient, unlike in the US.
Fortunately our flights arrived and departed from Terminal 1, so at least our transit was quite easy. Once through security we passed through the duty free maze and followed the signage towards lounges.
Mexico City Airport Terminal 1
Once through the duty free maze, signage towards the lounges pointed us left, where there were stairs and elevators leading up to three airline lounges.
Mexico City Airport Terminal 1 lounges
The Oneworld Business Class Lounge was one level up from the concourse, while the American Admirals Club and United Club were two levels up from the main concourse.
Mexico City Airport Terminal 1 lounges
After taking the elevator up a level, there was a wall with the logos of British Airways, Iberia, and LATAM, as presumably this is the primary lounge for passengers traveling on those airlines.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport signage
The entrance of the lounge was just to the left, and once we presented our boarding passes we were informed that an announcement would be made when the flight was ready for boarding.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport entrance
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport reception
The lounge had a Christmas tree just to the side of the entrance. In one direction was most of the seating of the lounge, and in the other direction were the bathrooms and showers.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport reception
In terms of design, I was impressed by the lounge. Inside the entrance and to the left was some cafe style seating, and then along the wall were some chairs arranged in sets of four.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
Then further into the lounge were some big purple loungers, as well as some festive lights hanging from the ceiling. I couldn’t tell for sure if they were intended for Christmas, or whether this lounge just had a quirky design.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
There were more dining tables in this part of the lounge.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
Then along the back side of the lounge was some high-top seating facing the interior of the terminal.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport seating
I sort of really wanted to go to that cute-looking restaurant one level up.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport view
In terms of the lounge’s food & drink selection, there was a small buffet near the back of the lounge, which had bread, whole fruit, and some chips.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport food selection
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport snacks
Next to that was a refrigerated area with soda, juice, and some yogurt parfaits.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport food & drink selection
Then the main buffet was back towards the entrance. Mexico City is an amazing food city, though unfortunately you wouldn’t know based on the airline lounges here.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport buffet
The food selection consisted of sandwiches, croissants, fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, and pasta, none of which looked particularly appetizing to me.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport buffet
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport buffet
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport buffet
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport buffet
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport buffet
Then in the center of the lounge was a bar where you could order beer, wine, cocktails, and custom made coffee.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport bar
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport liquor selection
The cappuccino I had was excellent.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport cappuccino
Bathrooms were back towards the entrance of the lounge, and were in fairly good condition.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport bathroom
There was even a shower room, though it didn’t look particularly luxurious.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport shower
The Wi-Fi in the lounge worked reasonably well, so I spent some time working before we continued lounge hopping. One thing I’d note is that the lounge remained quite empty the entire time we were there. The only other passengers were those traveling to Santiago on the LATAM flight. Given that the lounge is used for transatlantic flights on British Airways and Iberia you’d think that the lounge would get full, but Mexico City transatlantic flights often have unusual schedules. Iberia flights depart from Mexico City around 1PM and 8PM, while British Airways’ flight departs at 9PM. So in the afternoons this lounge stays nice and quiet.
We also checked out the American Admirals Club and Grand Lounge Elite during our layover, so I’ll be reviewing those in the next two installments.
Our flight to Santiago was scheduled to board at 6:10PM, so at around 5:45PM we headed to our departure gate, #23. That was about a 10 minute walk away.
Mexico City Airport Terminal 1
Mexico City Airport Terminal 1
As we got to the gate they were just setting up the queuing system they use for boarding.
LATAM departure gate Mexico City Airport
LATAM has a pretty functional boarding process, as they have a priority lane for business class, premium economy, and elite passengers, a lane for those who need extra time, and then two lanes for economy, which are segregated by rows.
LATAM departure gate Mexico City Airport
At 6:15PM boarding began, starting with those who needed extra time, and followed by those with priority boarding.
Oneworld Lounge Mexico City Airport bottom line
While not an amazing lounge by any stretch of the imagination, the oneworld lounge Mexico City Airport is solid, as it’s spacious, has reasonably nice decor, and has friendly staff and functional Wi-Fi. The food here isn’t great, though on the plus side they had a full bar and tasty cappuccinos, so that’s something. I’ll be reviewing the Admirals Club next, though this is definitely the better of the two lounges. There are some decent options for lounges at Mexico City, so it’s always worth considering a credit card with lounge access, if you aren’t traveling in a premium cabin.
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