During my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, I was upgraded to first class on the flight from Atlanta. The seating was comfortable, but the food service was what made the experience really stand out. Following is a review of my flight.
THE ROUTE: Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR); Airbus A320; 3 hours, 34 minutes; first class.
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THE DEPARTURE: I connected at the Atlanta airport on a flight from New York City. The Atlanta airport was bustling, but the connection was smooth, with the airport train whisking me quickly to Terminal E. Boarding was by zone.
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THE AIRCRAFT: The Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 had two classes of seating: economy and first class.
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AIRLINE SEATING: Each of the first class seats (which were quite spacious and comfortable for such a short flight) on this Delta Air Lines aircraft had a wrapped pillow and blanket, and there was a small bottle of water at each seat upon boarding as well.
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INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: There was no inflight entertainment on this flight to Puerto Vallarta.
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AIRLINE FOOD: A small bottle of water was placed at each first class seat before boarding, and the flight attendant also offered orange juice, champagne or mimosa before taxi (this was a morning flight). Inflight service was attentive, and the flight attendant passed through the first class cabin with a snack basket first, from which we could choose from an array of treats, including peanuts pretzels and the addictive Biscoff cookies that I love so much. Lunch was rather impressive: a choice of four-cheese ravioli or teriyaki style chicken on rice with bok choy (which I chose). The flight attendant placed a white table cloth on each tray before serving lunch, and each of the generously proportioned entrees was accompanied by salad, warm rolls served separately from a basket by the flight attendant, and a wrapped maple oatmeal cookie from Dancing Deer Baking Co.
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THE ARRIVAL: Arrival at Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta was efficient, including a swift immigration process and very little wait time for luggage.
WHERE I STAYED: I spent the first nights of my Puerto Vallarta trip at the Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta, which in October 2014 became an all-inclusive hotel. For more info about travel to Puerto Vallarta, check out LatinFlyer’s Mexico travel section and also visit the Puerto Vallarta tourism website and also check out LatinFlyer’s Mexico travel section.