Air Europa Business, Madrid Barajas - London Gatwick, Embraer E195: bordering on the ridiculous

Continuation and end of my return itinerary from Cancun to London with this Aeromexico flight operated by Air Europa.

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

Ground experience and lounge

Coming from Mexico City on flight AM1, I follow the Connections circuit to get to the boarding lounge.

So I head for the previously reviewed Cibeles lounge, which has the same offer. I’ll spend a good two hours there before heading to the gate.

A sign outside the lounge lists all eligible passengers.

The lounge hasn’t changed a bit since I visited a week ago.

The offer is as complete and qualitative as ever

Boarding

Boarding started an hour (yes, 1 hour!) before departure, and I leave the lounge at around H-45 while boarding has already begun.

I cut the queue to board first. My immigration documents are checked again and I board.

As I’d expected with such advanced boarding, it’s bus boarding. I’ll wait at least 20 minutes for the bus to leave, with passengers arriving in dribs and drabs.

The ridiculous SkyPriority sign on the bus

During boarding I receive an e-mail notification

B4C2881A-1A49-4113-98EC-B8FEE45BFB12 — The bus will be packed

Cabin and welcome

The Business cabin of this Embraer E190 features two rows of Business seats, separated by a curtain from the main cabin.

The seats are exactly the same, and the adjoining seat is not blocked. Very bad point.

The aircraft is equipped with Wifi for streaming only

And this time, no welcome drink, even though I’ll be on board for over 30 minutes before the push-back.

Service and catering

Service begins 30 minutes after the seatbelt sign is switched off.

I ask for a vodka and tonic and am served… A tonic. Without vodka. Well, never mind.

And the meal tray, almost identical to that of the outward journey (although not bad).

A few minutes before arrival, I’m offered a coffee, served in a cardboard cup.

Arrival and disembarkation

We arrive at the gate a little early Immigration, luggage and the train home will all go smoothly, and I’ll be home less than an hour after block arrival time.