During my recent Cancun trip to check out three beautiful Mexico beach hotels for TravelAge West (click to check out some of my Mexico travel reports there too), I flew JetBlue nonstop from Cancun to New York City. Here’s a review of my experience.
THE ROUTE: Cancun International Airport (CUN) to New York City – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK); Airbus A321, economy class, 3 hours, 21 minutes
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MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS: Cars, Trains & Pot: 3 Things That May Change How You Visit Cancun
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THE DEPARTURE: This New York City flight departed from Terminal three at Cancun International Airport. Before being allowed to approach the ticket counter, I was approached by someone with a jacket identifying him as an “interviewer.” He asked me a series of questions about my trip: the name of the hotel where I stayed, what my room number was, what my occupation is and where I live. Luckily, I seemed to have passed the test, and was allowed to proceed to the counter, where it took me only about five minutes to check in (no line). They did charge me $25 to check my luggage, however.
The airport security screening procedure was equally speedy. You don’t need to take off your shoes here (I don’t think you do at any airport in Mexico, for that matter). But I did need to remove my computer and my camera.
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DON’T MISS: 10 Things We Love to Do in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit
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Just past security at the Cancun airport’s terminal three is a giant duty-free store. Ordinarily, that’s where I would stop to moisturize before subjecting myself to the dry cabin air (yes, I’m vain and old and I like free samples), but there were too many employees and not enough customers, so any attempt on my part to approach a lotion display would have produced an onslaught of overenthusiastic attention from at least one or two salespeople. And I don’t actually buy that pricey stuff, I just use it when it’s free and sitting on an airport shelf. I mean, come on, I’m a poor travel writer. At any rate, I promenaded forwarded with the same dry skin I’d entered the building with.
There’s a bunch of airport dining venues in the boarding area, including brands like Johnny Rockets and Guy Fieri, and a few shops with mostly boring tourist stuff (although Ay Guey and the prison art shop do carry some more creative clothing and décor options to take home).
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Boarding for the JetBlue flight was by group number, and all passengers were asked additional questions at the gate: have you had your bags with you at all times? Has anyone given you anything? I passed with flying colors.
THE AIRCRAFT & INFLIGHT SERVICE: This JetBlue Airbus A321 featured economy class airline seats with winged headrests (love that) and seat-back screens that showed free movies and TV programs (love that). I didn’t find any A/C outlets (and I don’t like that) — HOWEVER, after I posted this complaint, a very pleasant JetBlue flight attendant noted on my Instagram account (@mundera) that the aircraft does indeed have outlets, but beneath the seat, rather than in front of it. So I’ve learned something new.
Airline food and beverages are also free on JetBlue (love that, too), although I admit that the term “airline food” is a bit broad to describe the snacks. Maybe I’m only using the term “airline food” because it scores better in Google searches. Maybe I’m doing anything I can to attract visitors to my page. Oh well. I do like the Cheezits and Popcorners that they serve, though. But bring your own food on board if you really want a meal.
https://departurelevel.com/airlines/latin-americas-most-on-time-airlines-and-airports-by-oag/
Have you ever heard that joke that Alec Baldwin tells about JetBlue passengers who fall asleep with their video screens on? Well, just so you know, I’m a very classy person. I turned off my TV before I feel asleep and started snoring.
THE ARRIVAL: We arrived on time at JFK, and the customs, immigration and baggage claim experiences all went rather quickly (I do have Global Entry, though, which always helps). The JetBlue terminal at JFK airport, it should be noted, is set back quite a way from the AirTrain station, which I used to get to the subway. So if you’re concerned about walking great distances or have mobility issues, keep that in mind.