We had arrived into Miami on time [oo] and, having got through immigration etc in record time, we were checking in more than 2 hours before our flight which we were very relieved about as we knew that if we had missed this flight then the next one would not be until the following day.
There was no queue at the MEX desks so we were checked-in immediately. We asked for an upgrade to Elite class which they did for $150 each so we were more than happy with this. We could have done this at point of booking but as flights were not on one ticket, we were concerned about potentially missing our connecting flight so opted to book economy only in the hope of upgrading at the airport. This was handled exceptionally quickly and efficiently as they took the card payment at the check in desk, issued boarding cards and, as their system already had details on about our flight from LHR, they actually asked us for the VS luggage receipts. We were also issued with lounge invites for the Club America lounge in Concourse J.
Interestingly, this is the same lounge that VS use for the CH or so it would appear but it is actually not. When you arrive at this lounge, there is a reception area in the centre and they directed us, with out Mexicana invites to the RHS lounge, We were very disappointed with this [n] it was tiny, cramped, not very comfortable and had a bar area with very limited drinks and only one bar tender. We could see another bar area to the other side which looked better and much larger and subsequently we found out that this is the side open to VS UC guests. We are not certain which side we would have got into with our priority pass cards but wish we had tried this instead of using the invite perhaps one of you know which side it is that is open to PP card holders?
Anyway, had a couple of drinks and I dozed for a while before we were finally called to the gate. Only had a very short walk to the gate and we were very soon called for priority boarding which, although no separate line, worked well as there were fairly light loads on this flight too.
The cabin was actually quite a surprise as it was really small at the front of the plane (unfortunately everyone boarded through the same door at the front so all of Y had to access through the elite cabin) but it was only 3 rows in a 2-2 configuration. Seat pitch was good and seats were very comfortable. There were only 2 other people in the cabin with us.
Service was not that great to be honest as the CC were not particularly friendly and looked very surly. Were offered a pre take-off drink but virtually no choice so opted for a vino tinto and struggled to drink this as it wasnt the best. [:$]
Take off was on time. They did have IFE but it was the old drop down TVs for which we were offered earphones although, as the flight was only just over 90 mins, we never bothered to use them.
Were also offered a further drink and snack on board which was a cheese and ham roll in some sort of ciabatta style bread but it was pretty unpalatable.
It was a short and uneventful flight and before long we were landing on time again and again, we were first off the plane although we did notice that Y pax had their seatbelts off before the lights came off and were all coming into our cabin so we struggled to stop ourselves being penned in by a huge Y queue. [V]
Into CUN and though to immigration not too far to walk and for some strange reason we were directed away from a direct line into a convoluted, long, cordoned line that led to the same immigration desks so we ended up waiting for a deal longer than we should have had to [?]. Anyway, we were through immigration very quickly and then we had to fill in some health (swine flu) questionnaires you have to ask why they bother with this is anyone really going to answer in the positive if asked if they have a temperature or have been exposed to swine flu etc? [:?]
Off to baggage reclaim which you can see anyway from immigration and just as we were leaving the immigration booth I could see out suitcases coming around so dashed off to grab them quickly Mr S, oblivious to this sauntered along behind me, wondering why I had gone dashing off and left me to drag the bags off. We were amazed that a) the bags actually arrived having been put through from LHR and b) that they came off first i.e. had still presumably been tagged as priority. [oo]
Through security and customs and no red lights for either of us thank goodness and out to the nightmare of the touts in the CUN arrivals hall. Outside we spotted the board with our name on and within half an hour we were unpacking in resort less than hour after touch down! [^][^]
All in all the flight was probably better than we had anticipated it was uneventful, timely and both departure and arrival experiences were completely painless fast and efficient, much to our surprise. We were just left hoping that the return flights would go as well.
