Madrid-Cancun-Madrid in business for €1,206!!! Review Clase Premier One of Aeromexico

It happened just on Christmas Day morning, when Santa Claus materialized while on Google Flights I was scrolling through a number of destinations (departing from different cities not only in Italy, but also in Europe) for a short vacation in the warm weather in January: a Madrid-Cancun-Madrid (via Mexico City) for only 1,206 euros. 

Reservation

Specifications

Aircraft:

B787

Class:

Clase Premiere

Treat:

MAD - MEX

Book

That same evening I made a reservation. The fare, which could not be cancelled or changed, nevertheless included all Sky Priority benefits and also entitled to the Free choice of seat on board on all flights.

Aeromexico has three daily round-trip flights between the Spanish capital and Mexico City and I I took care to choose one of the two that the carrier operates with its Boeing 787-9s, which have a Business 1-2-1 configuration, unlike the flight operated with one of the 787-8s that are configured 2-2-2.

Coming from Milan, I then thought that the late evening flight offered me more options to reach Madrid and so I chose AM 22, operated by a Boeing 787-9, departing Madrid at 11:45 p.m. and arriving in Mexico City at 5:20 a.m. the next morning.

At the airport

As does its 'sister' in Skyteam Air Europa for its long-haul flights, Aeromexico operates from Madrid through Terminal 1, which is part of the 'original' complex of terminals at Barajas, certainly less attractive than the T4 from which Iberia flights depart.

Arrived at Terminal 2 on an Air Europa flight from Malpensa., I walked (a good kilometer without a treadmill) to Terminal 1, where Aeromexico was checking in at six counters, two of which were dedicated to Sky Priority customers.

T1 has one large lounge, the Cibeles, which I reached after going through security in a kind of lounge dedicated to premium passengers.

When I arrived, although very large, it was literally packed, because that, for T1 is rush hour because of the many Air Europa flights leaving for Latin America.

After a ten-minute wait, I found myself a nice seat in front of the windows, in a spot that coincidentally looked right into my 787. The Cibeles, open 24/7, has two strengths: the food and beverage offerings (at 10:30 p.m. everything was there so you could, if you wanted, even have breakfast) and the outdoor terrace overlooking the apron with the aircraft.

On board

Forty-five minutes before my departure time, I reached gate B25 and thanks to Sky Priority, I skipped a big line, boarding in a couple of minutes. Unlike what often happens, attached to the plane were not two fingers, one of which was dedicated to Business, but only one used by passengers in both cabins. Nevertheless, I did not run into any queues, although the flight attendant who welcomed me on board certainly had no way of escorting me to my seat, as sometimes happens.

The booth

On average, on 787-9s, airlines have between 30 and 32 business class seats. Aeromexico has as many as 36, probably because its Dreamliners, both to Europe and Asia, fly nonstop for more than ten hours and the demand for premium seats is higher (and it should be considered that the carrier does not have a premium economy cabin).

So there are actually two Business cabins: one in the front, between doors 1 and 2, with 30 seats, and one just behind door 2 that has six seats. The latter is not separated from Economy by a real bulkhead, so the front cabin is definitely the one to choose.

The configuration is 1-2-1, with classic Collins Super Diamond seats (the same ones ITA has on its Airbus A350-900s). They are arranged in an inverted herringbone pattern, so those near the window (like my 3J) look outward from the plane, although there is a rather imposing console between the seat and porthole that limits outward visibility.

Three bathrooms available. One in front, between the door and the cockpit, and two in back, larger and windowed, placed just in front of the rear mini-business cabin (another reason to prefer the one in front).

The chair

While the Super Diamond does not have an exceptional look or size, it does have the advantage of having as many as four storage spaces for personal items: two in the console, one inside the armrest on the opposite side, and a smaller one at knee height. Not to mention the space under the ottoman, enough for a pair of shoes or a bag.

It does not have a sliding door, but the staggered row arrangement allows for some privacy, in the sense that you cannot see or be seen by other passengers.

Otherwise it has everything you need: headphone jack (not Bluetooth), very intuitive electric seat controls, universal power outlet and Usb, individual reading light, and very large and stable coffee table that pulls out from under the IFE's screen, which is 18 inches 4K.

Two things struck me the most: the blue topper To wrap on the seat for the night and a red bag placed on the seat, inside which I found the headphones, comforter, and pillow, which, for once, was not simply resting on the seat, where everyone puts their butts, but hygienically stowed on its own. A rarity still in 2026 and a plus point for Aeromexico. The place had a dinner menu, but no wine list.

Service

It started with the welcome drink (water, orange juice or champagne) and ended with the delivery of a voucher valid for two hours of free internet. In between, the delivery of a warm washcloth (strangely enough rather dry) and dinner (but not the appetizer), which was served with excellent timing, considering that of the 36 seats there were only two free.

So-so amenity kit with the brand of a French leather goods house, Lancel Paris, which nevertheless contained all the essentials except the socks, replaced, however, by slippers with the logo of the 'Caballero aguila,' which is the symbol of Aeromexico. Much more attractive, and also reusable, was the one (from the same brand) that was delivered to me on my return.

One of the things that surprised me most in a positive sense was. The setup of the open bar in the galley space at door 2 (i.e., between the two Business booths): an authentic buffet with platters of raw vegetables and fruits, sandwiches, assorted snacks, water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (including tequila, of course), treats and an espresso machine.

IFE

So-so, not so much for the volume of content: more than 300 movies, a few episodes of some 70 TV series, and some 40 music albums. But for the content itself, since the 30 or so 'new release' films were also little 'new', in the sense that most were already on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video and some I had seen on the plane in October on Emirates. Plus, there were no classic pastime games, like tetris and stuff like that. Nice headphones, also with good sound quality, although, in the case of music content the audio volume was, even at its highest, too low.

Good assortment of maps, (virtual) views from the cockpit, wing, and whatnot, but No external camera that would provide 'real' images. The wi-fi coupon entitled to two hours of free internet.

Food&Beverage

Dinner was served on a tray and not by cart, with the three courses (appetizer, main course, and dessert) served in sequence and not all at once.

Aeromexico gives the option of choosing the main course of lunch or dinner up to 48 hours before the flight departure time, which is advisable to do for two reasons: to ensure that the availability of your favorite dish does not run out before the flight attendants arrive at your seat, as well as for the fact that On board, the choice on the menu was limited to only three options.

First came a head-to-tail plate, that is, with a small shrimp salad and a small assortment of cheeses.

Then salmon, with soy sauce and honey, potatoes and asparagus, then a chocolate mousse. I accompanied everything with a couple of glasses of 'Chanoine Freres' champagne, a glass of Spanish white from the Duero Riviera, and (with the cheeses) one of Spanish red from the Duero (There were only Spanish wines on board, champagne aside).

The salmon and mousse were the two highlights of the dinner, which I still found more than satisfactory.

Breakfast was served an hour and a half before landing in Mexico City., respecting those who wanted to continue sleeping instead. So, barely hinted mood lighting and no touch on the shoulder by a flight attendant, as sometimes happens. If you 'noticed' she was being served well, otherwise you waited for your cappuccino at the airport. I found it appreciable that Aeromexico does not ask, with the dinner order, for breakfast as well, because I always find it difficult before an overnight flight to decide hours in advance whether I will want to eat sweet or savory.

On the cart were cheese omelets with potatoes and vegetables or pancakes with dried fruit granola and maple syrup. In both cases, it was accompanied by a small plate of fruit, a yogurt, bread, butter and jam, a mini-croissant, a juice and coffee or tea. I went for dessert and presso pancakes, which were quite fluffy and not chewy.

In conclusion

It is obvious that my judgment is heavily influenced by the derisory price of the ticket. Flying like this for 14 hours (counting Mexico City-Cancun) one way and 13 on the return while spending just over 1,200 euros is a dream. Nevertheless, Aeromexico's Premier One is a solid product, with the added treat of an on-board bar, which may not be a real lounge but still raises the bar.

The verdict

At this price, especially in this historical period, it is not easy to fly long haul. Aeromexico's service is solid, they could take that extra step to further improve some aspects and maybe put certain fares from FCO as well.

7

Service

7

IFE

6

F&B

7

Cabin and Armchair

7

Pro

• The price
• Open Bar
• Bedding

Against

• IFE content