Trip Report: Round the World in 139 days (24 flights)

[coyote25]

Flight from Orlando to Miami Photos

Now I have replaced my stolen iPhone, at a saving of $120 from purchasing in Australia I now can take airport photos again.

Gate where I spent a few hours (no lounge)


My plane


First seat - very comfortable for such a short flight



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[coyote25]

Miami International Airport
30 November 2012

Exiting my flight I guessed turning right to find a display screen for my Mexico flight. Why is it you can never find them when you want but other times there are everywhere?

Anyway I guessed correctly for once and walked from Gate 18 in Terminal D to the Admirals Club at Gate 30. You can catch the airtrain but I thought a walk would be better.

I learnt I don't have to go though a formal border control at this end but I'm sure they will double check my passport at the gate.

Admirals Lounge (Terminal 8 Gate 30)
After waiting for a few people to be denied access, sorry an economy ticket doesn't get you access, I was allowed entry. I was given 2 drink vouchers. You catch the lift to the third floor.

Lots of room in the lounge and easy to find power points. While I didn't use them I saw at least 4 showers but I'm guessing a few more existed.

Wifi was a reasonable speed, no password needed. I couldn't find any pcs or printers. Lots of free biscuits and free water otherwise there was food and drinks to purchase.

Free newspaper which you are not supposed to take but done people seemed to he packing them away . There is always a quiet area for no mobile use which was respected, noticeable because mobiles were used in the other areas.

Btw based on the mobile conversations I think business conditions are getting better in the USA people seemed to be making expansion plans.



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[coyote25]

Miami International Airport Photos

Admirals Club Terminal 8 Gate 30

Self serve area


Bar area


Seating area



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[coyote25]

Miami International Airpot
30 November 2012

Premium Lounge (AA, BA and Iberia)
Terminal E

I decided to go to my gate early and came across a 'Premium Lounge' with signs posted in Terminal E but not in any of the general Airport Maps unlike the Admiral Lounges.

This lounge has free self serve food (wide selection) and drinks. A very good selection actually, very much like QF Syd and Mel Dom lounges but with better alcohol choices. I also found two pcs.

If you are eligible for access this is the lounge at Miami unfortunately I found it near boarding








Edit: Lounge is open from 1 pm

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[serfty]

Terminal E? (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....012-status-run-little-44608-2.html#post708052)

 

[turtlemichael]

Is this the lounge up the lift near Checkpoint 4 in Term D? It was marked BA, Iberia etc but the lift wouldn't work. We discovered the reason probably was that the lounge didn't open until the early pm.

 

[serfty]

It's in Terminal E - opens in the afternoon:

See this Ft thread: Miami Concourse E AA/AB/BA/IB oneworld Premium Lounge (consolidated)

 

[coyote25]

Flight 19: Miami to Mexico City

Date: 30 November 2012
Flight Number: American Airlines AA2169
Fare type: Business (Paid)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Requested Seat: 4B
Allocated Seat: 4B
In-flight Entertainment: Audio and Video (Cabin)

Scheduled Departure: 16.15
Actual Departure: 16.45

Scheduled Arrival: 18.45
Actual Arrival: 19.05
Duration: 3 Hours 20 mins

Meal:
Option of beef or pasta with bread and a salad. Hot chocolate biscuit after main meal (very nice). Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drink.

Summary:
Priority boarding worked well, business passengers first as the highest class then AA elite PAX and uniformed military. Flight was held up for 30 minutes when a passenger with checked baggage didnt show and it took them a while to remove the bags. Wifi was available for an inflight purchase. Immigration cards issued early in the flight.

Mexico City Airport is something else. The arrivals hall line was way outside the hall which caused foreigners (ie me!) to get in the wrong line since there were no signs outside the hall. It took close to 2 hours to clear immigration (1 hour 45 mins) and then customs. They make you show your baggage claim ticket probably since they sit by themselves for an hour while you try to clear immigration. To be fair I think the locals took about an hour to get though as well which I think is a lot for a local.



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[coyote25]

Miami to Mexico City AA2168

Business Class seats


Dinner


Next flight is Cubana I'm expecting a different experience.


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[coyote25]

Mexico City Airport (Terminal 1)
2 December 2012

Checked in Cubana started 3 hours before scheduled flight which appears to be there only flight. You can purchase Cuba Tourist Card at the top of the checking line for 350 Mexican Pesos so you don't need to purchase in Australia.


At check in I also paid 205 pesos which I think is the departure tax for Mexico (there were language problems here).

Security line requires you to take out iPad as I later learned. They have a sign asking for tips!

I didn't need to line up at the foreign immigration line I'm guessing because I had paid departure tax at checkin. The line is just past security.


Lots of shops at the gate plus a Platinum Centurion Club (next to gate 31).



Free wifi at the gate (but not in general area) allowed for this post

Now for Cuba!!


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[coyote25]

Flight 20: Mexico City to Havana

Date: 02 December 2012
Flight Number: Cubana de Aviación - CU 131
Fare type: Economy (Paid)
Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A320-100/200
Requested Seat: 6F
Allocated Seat: 6F

In-flight Entertainment: None

Scheduled Departure: 08.50
Actual Departure: 08.50

Scheduled Arrival: 12.30
Actual Arrival: 12.30
Duration: 2 Hours 40 mins

Meal:
Ham and cheese roll, chocolate and muffin. Small cup of soft drink.

Summary:
I ended up with a seat empty next too me. Announcements are made in Spanish and English. I was surprised with even getting a meal. Standard professional flight.

 

[coyote25]

Havana Jose Marti International Airport
02 December 2012

Disembarked via air bridge. Border control was very simple, it took about 20 minutes. I was told however not to smile for the camera.

Now getting my bag was a different story. It took close to an hour for my bag to show up. I think they scanned each bag individually. Also your bag could go to either of the two conveyor belts despite what the screen says.

From here you go though customs and just before exiting the controlled area they check you bag matches your claim ticket, don't lose it!

Money can be exchange via official booth in the general arrivals area. Company I used recommend you do this at the airport. Rates seemed reasonable except for USD for which there is a 10% charge.

 

[coyote25]

Havana Jose Marti International Airport
09 December 2012

Checkin for Cubana airlines starts 2.5 hours before the flight not 3 hours as advertised. You line up behind the sign with your destination. You are offer a bag wrapping service while waiting.

I was offered an upgrade to First class for 37 CUCs which I declined since I only left myself enough money to pay for the taxi to the airport (25 CUCs) and the departure tax (25 CUCs).

Departure tax is paid just before border control with two booths. You must tip to use the airport toilets, a nominal amount of 0.10 CUCs is fine.

After border control they have a standard security point. A duty free shop is located just past security with other shops and places to get food.

Checkin Counters




Seating airside

 

[coyote25]

Flight 21: Havana to Cancun

Date: 09 December 2012
Flight Number: Cubana de Aviación - CU 152
Fare type: Economy (Paid)
Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A320-100/200
Requested Seat: Nil
Allocated Seat: 6F
In-flight Entertainment: None but my iPhone

Scheduled Departure: 14.00
Actual Departure: 14.00

Scheduled Arrival: 14.25
Actual Arrival: 14.15

Duration: 1 Hour 15 mins

Meal:
A small pack of a pretzel like product. Small cup of soft drink.

Summary:
I ended up with a seat empty next to me once again on a fairly full flight. Made me wonder if it was something to do with being a single Westerner on the flight.

A very quick up and down flight.

 

[coyote25]

Cancun International Airport
09 December 2012

We disembarked the Cubana flight on the tarmac. A very short drive to terminal one. Border control was incredibly quick after the lengthy delays I experienced entering Mexico at the Mexico City 10 days ago.

I was handed immigration card at the airport not on the plane. Lots of open booths at this time. After checking my bag you go though security pushing a button to see if you are randomly selected for additional checks.

Past custom you walk into a secured area land side in which you can book a taxi, tours and transportation options. After exiting this area you find your transportation option.

A very well organised airport.

 

[coyote25]

Cancun International Airport (Terminal 2)
15 December 2012

The taxi today dropped my of at the wrong terminal (3 instead of 2). This terminal hosts mists of the American Airlines so probably thought I was American. I thought it might be the wrong building but the number isn't on the outside of the building. This gave me a chance to use the free shuttle bus which comes every 20 minutes.

Terminal 2 building is very modern, especially Gates at the 'A' end. The 'B' end is undergoing an upgrade. Security barely checked our bags but they were doing random thorough checks. There are two food courts a couple of duty free shops and at least three gifts shops. Internet costs you however the TGI Friday has an unsecured wifi connection.

There are two VIP Lounges, one for Skyteam and the other appeared to be for Hotel and Touring Chains that isn't something I've seem before.

 

[coyote25]

Cancun International Airport Photos

Christmas Tree


Food Court (Terminal 2)


Second Food Court next to Gates


Shops

 

[coyote25]

Flight 22: Cancun to Mexico City

Date: 15 December 2012
Flight Number: Aeromexico - AM 588
Fare type: Economy (Paid)
Original Aircraft: Boeing 737 All Series Passenger
Changed Aircraft: 767-300 ER
Requested Seat: None
Allocated Seat: 25A (Exit Row)
In-flight Entertainment: None

Scheduled Departure: 13.32
Actual Departure: 13.35

Scheduled Arrival: 16.03
Actual Arrival: 16.10
Duration: 2 Hours 35 mins

Meal:
Soft drink and peanuts.

Summary:
A few days out the plane was substituted to the larger 767-300 ER but my seat stayed the same meaning I went from a normal seat to an exit row. The plane was at best 60% full so no idea why the larger plane was needed.

At Mexico City Airport Terminal 2 my bag was quickly delivered. You can see the baggage handlers as they upload the bags.

 

[coyote25]

Mexico City Airport (terminal 2)

Baggage area

 

[coyote25]

And that's my last flight until February as I now travel overland from Mexico City to Panama over the next 6 weeks.