Salon The Lounge, Cancun T4: Small, but nice service

After a few days’ rest, it’s already time to head back to London. For the return trip, same itinerary and same stopovers as on the outward journey: Mexico City and Madrid.

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Diary	Travel Diary – Mexico
2	Flight	Air Europa Business, London Gatwick to Madrid Barajas, Boeing 737-800
3	Lounge	Cibeles Lounge, Madrid Barajas
4	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Madrid Barajas to Mexico Adolfo Suarez, Boeing 787-9
5	Lounge	Aeromexico Premier, Mexico
6	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Mexico Adolfo Suarez to Cancun International, Boeing 787-9
7	Hotel	JW Marriott Cancun
8	Lounge	The Lounge, Cancun T4
9	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Cancun International to Mexico Adolfo Suarez, Airbus A320
10	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Mexico Adolfo Suarez to Madrid Barajas, Boeing 787-9
11	Flight	Air Europa Business, Madrid Barajas to London Gatwick, Boeing 737-800

Today’s itinerary

Check-in

48 hours before departure, I check-in online. This does not work from the Aeromexico mobile app, but will work from the website, at least for the first two flights operated by Aeromexico. As for the code share, as on the outward journey, it’s a no-go.

So I arrive at the airport just under 2.5 hours before my flight to Mexico City is due to leave.

Departures controlled outside the building

A beautiful young female attendant accompanies me into the terminal and points out the Aeromexico SkyPriority counters. The queue is empty when I get there, and I wait less than two minutes before being taken care of.

Checking all the documents (QR Code for transit in Spain, Passenger Locator Form + Negative Test + Vaccination Certificate + Day 2 Test Package for the UK) takes a little time. I choose to check my bag from end to end this time to avoid 3 security checks, and receive all my boarding passes.

Ground experience

I then head for the security checkpoint, located on the mezzanine floor of Cancun’s Terminal 4.

All domestic flights are subject to a Vuela Seguro health questionnaire, which asks a number of questions before providing a QR Code to find out whether a further inspection is required.

The route to the safety controls is well signposted

This is the case for me, but… no inspection will take place. Incomprehensible.

So I pass the Fast Track security checkpoint and find myself airside.

Location

Despite the high volume of traffic, there is no Aeromexico lounge in Cancun. Business and SkyPriority passengers are therefore left without options.

The path to the lounges is well signposted

Nevertheless, thanks to my PriorityPass card, I have access to The Lounge by Air Transat, which accepts this card. The other adjacent lounge, much more inviting, is just a walk-in pay lounge, and looks as if it has no partnership at all.

The lounge is located below the boarding gates, just follow the “VIP Lounges” signs.

The welcome is pretty basic, my PriorityPass scanned and my Boarding Pass checked.

Lounge design

The lounge is tiny, and I’m surprised it’s not packed to the gills, especially given Cancun’s dominant American clientele. It has relaxation areas and a dining area.

There’s even a children’s playground.

Catering

The catering offer is limited. The buffet is not self-service, and numerous agents are on hand to take orders. I’ll have a ham and cheese sandwich, which turns out to be very good, as well as a Corona and a double-expresso.