I flew Azteca (for the first time) last weekend MEX-GDL-MEX. Does anyone have any idea how long it will take for the miles to post to my OP account?

How was Azteca? Do they have a first class cabin? Can you upgrade if they do based upon your status?

I, too, am curious to hear about the flight.
Has anyone else on the board done a longish Azteca flight to/from TIJ or CJS?

>>>How was Azteca? Do they have a first class cabin?<<<

The service was about what you'd expect for a 50 minute flight. The plane was a brand new 737-700, all coach, no first class cabin, the legroom probably about the same as CO (maybe a little less, but I can't tell as I haven't flown CO coach in quite some time). The seats were, in my opinion, more comfortable (they are not the thin seat type used by CO, it is better cushioned). There was no preboarding of any kind (not even per seat row number), but both flights were below 50% full, so maybe on busier flights they do have boarding by seat row. There are no pre-assigned seats (that is, seat assignment is at check-in, not before), and there is no elite check-in line.

The crews were very kind and friendly, although they didn't look too polished. The color of their uniforms is horrendous (a green that makes them look like former USSR bureaucrats). On both flights we were given peanuts and soft drinks AND free alcoholic drinks!!!

Since my MEX-GDL flight continued on to TIJ, and this being a low-fare carrier, I would say about 90% of my fellow passengers looked like they were going to become "wetbacks" and cross into the U.S.

I don't know if their LF are about the same for other flights/dates (the check-in agent told me that the GDL-TIJ leg was packed), but I hope they stay in business, as they are the only way to accrue elite mileage in Mexico.

So, would I fly them again? Yes, although I don't know what a full flight with them would be like. I know they're now flying MEX-ONT, and have been tempted to take this flight to see what their longer flights are like (I think they do have hot meals on longer flights), but I don't know if it will be too much of hassle having to explain to the US inmigration officer that I'm flying back the next day and just doing it for the miles.

Also, I would love them to have pre-assigned seating and an inflight magazine, as the only reading material available on the airplane was the safety card in the seat pocket.

[This message has been edited by JOSEMEX (edited 02-26-2003).]

[This message has been edited by JOSEMEX (edited 02-26-2003).]

Hmm, interesting report. Thanks, Jose.

Re. Load factors, my impression is that the MEX-GDL market is primarily a business route, while service into TIJ and CJS also caters to a more broad market. This is likely due to logistics of other options: the same $120 or so one way buys either a flight or a bus ticket MEX-TIJ, but the flight is clearly much faster. For MEX-GDL, the bus for about 8 hours costs 1/4 as much as the flight..... I, in that situation, would be tempted to spring for ETN overnight and pocket the difference, if I weren't in much of a hurry.

Another friend, who worked for a travel agency in MEX, says that Azteca is a reincarnation of TAESA... but with new planes. I wonder if it's the same Valujet-to-Airtran transformation. IMHO, a domestic Mexican partner is a very smart move for CO, since right now CO serves more Mexican destinations than any other US carrier. Plus, given CO's dismal award availability, knowing routes like MEX to ONT, ELP, and LRD can help us find trans-border availability when CO operated flights are gone.

FWIW, my miles for the outbound flight have just posted.

I hope it is not a Taesa reincarnation. I flew Taesa back in 1993 from Mex to Lrd. On take off from Mex the pilot did not set the flaps properly and on rotation he almost stalled the plane. It vibrated violently and made all sorts of noises. He figured it out and we finally got a positive climb rate. On landing he landed to fast and did not flare properly. We hit the runway so hard that we bounced, overhead compartments opened up, and stuff fell on some of the passengers. No one was injured. I was surprised that the landing gear and tires held. It was an old 727 which was a very durable plane. These planes are even certified for dirt fields, so may be that is what saved us.

When we got off the plane by stairs, I noticed that the pilot looked to be about 18 or 19 years old. Of course Taesa ended up getting their charter pulled by the Mexican government for excessive safety violations. Notwithstanding the scary experience, I remember that the in flight service was good, with a hot meal in coach and free stiff free pour drinks. The alcohol was needed for the nerves. However, that was the last time I flew Taesa, and even though I do not get miles, the only carrier I am comfortable with in Mexico is Mexicana. Aeromexico has had some recent accidents. A couple of months ago the same pilot in the Reyanosa crash ran off the runway in Monterrey.

I was happy about Azteca coming to LRD and being able to get miles, but I have not flown them yet.

Usually I fly CO through Houston, but their rates to Mexico are always expensive. I need to got to ZIH leaving 3-1 and returning 3-3. Co fare was $1,069, Mexicana from Nuevo Laredo is only $344.

>>Another friend, who worked for a travel agency in MEX, says that Azteca is a reincarnation of TAESA<<

Mmmm...I'm pretty sure he is wrong. AFAIK, the airline that was going to be the reincarnation of Taesa was "Vuelamex" which was supposed to start operations with a couple of 717's one or two years ago but has never gotten off the ground so far (i really don't think they will); apparently their having to do with Taesa was what was keeping the mexican aviation authority from giving then the go ahead. (I think I even saw a picture of one of their 717's in their color scheme before they were going to be delivered). I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the story about Taesa's sucessors.

>>the only carrier I am comfortable with in Mexico is Mexicana<<

Those were the only two currently flying mexican carriers that I had flown until last weekend. I have been tempted to fly Avicsa and Aerocalifornia once,just for the sake of flying a different airline, but i don't know how safe they might be.

I'll try to find out more about who is behind Azteca.

To be fair, Josemex, my friend's thoughts were heresay.... he's lived in LA and has been removed from "insider" info for about 2 years.

coplatlrd, as observation: using COPA, Azteca, and CO, one could possibly ticket SCL--PTY--MEX on CM, MEX-LRD on ZE (Azteca), and LRD--IAH--HNL and back for a 35K award.... and LRD would be very much on the route, i.e. eligible as a stopover.

I really wish Azteca flew from MTY or Nuveo Laredo so I could get a 20K award ticket instead of 35K for the extra 4 miles north of the river to LRD.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 02-26-2003).]

>>Aeromexico has had some recent accidents. A couple of months ago the same pilot in the Reyanosa crash ran off the runway in Monterrey.<<

There was also the incident with the inflight shutdown of a 767 that had to return to SCL a couple of weeks before the pope visited MEX last year, plus an MD-80 that was flying MEX-MTY and had to divert to an air force base while in climbout from MEX due to an engine failure (I think hail had something to do with it), and another 767 inflight shutdown a couple of years ago en route MEX-MAD ( a friend was on board).

And these are the ones I heard about, since we don't hear much in the news here about incidents that happen to our two main carriers.

I got my wish! Too bad the Series 7 award changed last month...

Bringing this forward since it's the best FT report on Azteca in flight service- given my other post on the new Azteca website.