My Latin America overview journey positive has some highs and lows. After having fun with the fashionable wonders of Delta’s Boeing 737-800, and soaking within the views from the Hilton Mexico Metropolis Airport, my subsequent cease was the Aeromexico Lounge at Mexico Metropolis Airport.
I used to be trying ahead to reviewing the SkyTeam service’s “flagship” lounge, although that didn’t work out fairly the way in which I had hoped…
Aeromexico worker tells me no images allowed!
I’ve written up to now concerning the unglamorous actuality of my overview journeys, together with particulars of how I overview lounges. Each time doable, I go to airport lounges the second they open, since I would like to have the ability to {photograph} them effectively, whereas respecting the privateness of others. In any case, I believe I owe it to you guys to place within the effort.
Yesterday morning, I used to be trying ahead to reviewing the Aeromexico Lounge at Mexico Metropolis Airport. The lounge opened at 5AM, in order I often do, I used to be lined up outdoors the lounge by 4:30AM, in order that I’d be the primary one in there, and will get “clear” photos.
All began out okay, because the lounge opened on schedule, and I instantly began snapping images (for these curious, I’m merely utilizing an iPhone). I took a few dozen photos, and was then approached by an Aeromexico worker:
Aeromexico worker: “Is the whole lot okay?”
Me: “Oh sure, it’s a pleasant lounge, I used to be simply snapping a number of photos.”
Aeromexico worker: “Photos within the lounge aren’t allowed.”
Me: “Actually? I’m not taking photos of any individuals, simply of the lounge itself.”
Aeromexico worker: “Solely photos of your self are allowed.”
Me: “I respect that, however why? Aeromexico doesn’t have a rule towards taking photos, so long as individuals aren’t in them.”
Aeromexico worker: “That is the lounge rule.”
I didn’t argue additional, although I used to be considerably tempted to proceed photographing the lounge in selfie mode — right here’s me with snack combine, and me with the espresso machine, and me in the bathroom (okay, not that). That was a throwback to my 2012 Park Hyatt Shanghai keep.
Look, I can respect if the lounge attendants wish to cease disruptive passengers, or these photographing others. However as longtime OMAAT readers know, I am going nice lengths to be respectful with my pictures, and never violate the privateness of others. I imply, simply have a look at all my airport lounge critiques.
My guess is that the agent was simply making up what she was saying, however who is aware of, maybe there may be some lounge particular rule. Plenty of airways understandably have guidelines towards photographing others, however only a few have guidelines towards photos basically.
I additionally acknowledge that I’m in all probability fairly distinctive when it comes to how I am going about taking photos in lounges, and the way it might look totally different than what they’re used to. I principally take a bunch of images inside the first two minutes, earlier than the lounge fills up, after which that’s often the extent of it.
Amazingly sufficient, the final time I used to be informed to not take photos in a lounge was again in 2016 at Baku Airport, previous to a Ukraine Worldwide Airways enterprise class flight to Kyiv. So I assume I ought to take into account myself fortunate that I haven’t handled this up to now eight years.
So, how was the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico Metropolis?
My pictures expertise apart, how was the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico Metropolis? I’m conflicted, because it exceeded my expectations in some methods, but additionally form of wasn’t nice.
On the plus facet, the lounge is bodily good sufficient. The meals choice was additionally higher than I anticipated, with a strong choice of sizzling dishes. There was even barista espresso*. The lounge can be extraordinarily effectively staffed, and there are lounge attendants who roam round and provide to carry you drinks, meals, and many others.* There’s additionally a spa, with paid remedies.
All that being stated, OMG, this lounge is as packed as a Taylor Swift live performance. It’s uncomfortably busy, with individuals in all places. And this was inside minutes of arriving within the lounge. The extent of crowding actually takes away from the expertise, as a result of they will’t sustain with the extent of demand.
For instance, I went to the bar to order a cappuccino. I used to be going to attend for it, however a server stated that I ought to have a seat, and she or he would carry it to me (she noticed the place I used to be sitting). I waited 10 minutes, and there was no espresso. One other server was then asking these on the desk subsequent to me in the event that they needed something to drink. So I requested him for a cappuccino, and he stated he’d carry me one.
10 minutes later, there was nonetheless no drink. So then I requested the server once more, and he apologized and stated he’d carry it to me. 10 minutes later, there was nonetheless no cappuccino, and I gave up.
Anyway, I nonetheless intend to write down a full overview of the lounge, but it surely simply received’t have as many photos as typical…
Backside line
I understand my journey is a little bit totally different than that of most, and the way in which I doc my travels typically appears uncommon to individuals. Regardless of that, I not often run into points. Yesterday was totally different, as I used to be informed within the Aeromexico Lounge Mexico Metropolis that images weren’t allowed, even when different individuals aren’t in them.
Hey, it’s not an enormous deal, and if something, I’m stunned it doesn’t occur extra typically, as I final had an identical situation in 2016, in Baku. So I apologize upfront that my overview of the lounge shall be a bit lackluster. I can inform you with certainty it received’t make my listing of the world’s greatest first or enterprise class lounges. 😉
So, anybody know if Aeromexico truly has some rule towards lounge pictures that I don’t learn about, or was this worker simply making stuff up?
