Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump today. With nonstop flights cancelled and López Obrador refusing to fly on a private jet, he flew Delta instead…in economy class.
Why Would The Mexican President Fly Commercial Economy Class?
López Obrador, popularly known as AMLO, styles himself as a populist. The former Mayor of Mexico City has shunned private jets and other luxuries of what he derisively calls the “neoliberal elite.”
Live and Let’s Fly has covered before the problem of Mexico’s abandoned presidential transport aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 still sitting in the California desert. López Obrador refuses to fly it and one of his first acts as president was to try to sell it.
> Read More: The Luxurious Boeing 787-8 Mexico Can’t Sell
Thus, it comes as not surprise that AMLO was seen flying Delta and in economy class. Why not nonstop? Because United is not running its nonstop service between Mexico City and Washington Dulles right now. With only connecting options available, he flew via Atlanta on Delta. At least López Obrador took a carrier that guarantees and open middle seat. He did end up in a non-reclining row on the Mexico City to Atlanta sector…
⚡️#LoÚltimo El Presidente @lopezobrador_ abordó al vuelo Delta Airlines que lo llevará a Washington, DC, con escala en Atlanta, por la pista.
📹 Isabella González pic.twitter.com/aGZIMpwFyk
— REFORMA (@Reforma) July 7, 2020
Kudos To Mexican President For Flying In Economy Class
As I mentioned back in January:
I respect politicians and royals who fly commercial and especially who fly coach.
Although symbolic, flying economy class represents humility and fiscal responsibility. Now the entire charade of flying commercial when a perfectly serviceable 787 sits idle in the desert is worthy of discussion (no one is allegedly buying the aircraft since it will take too much money to re-configure), but that doesn’t change the fact that I like the optics of politicians in economy class.
CONCLUSION
López Obrador and Trump will discuss trade today. While discussion will be centered on the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade agreement, aviation and travel will likely also be discussed. Though very different figures on the ideological spectrum, both López Obrador and Trump wish to re-open their respective economies as rapidly as possible.
(H/T: View from the Wing)
“Now the entire charade of flying commercial when a perfectly serviceable 787 sits idle in the desert is worthy of discussion”
I wonder why you mention this? He’s saving money by not operating a 787 for just a few people. Why is flying on a perfectly serviceable commercial aircraft a “charade” in your opinion?
Because there is staff, aides, media, and something to be said for flying nonstop and utilizing an aircraft that is already paid for.
I think the point was that operating the aircraft itself for just a few people is what’s expensive, regardless of whether the aircraft is purchased
The 787 is more expensive to operate than being a passenger on a commercial flight, no doubt, but don’t tell me the president travels alone. He must have advisors, aides, and other officials who accompany him on foreign trips (and this is first foreign trip as president). Any press could be carried as well. Certainly a more expensive prospect, but not so horrible. Doesn’t change the fact that I salute the president for flying commercial and flying economy class.
For ANY head of government or head of state to fly commercial in any class of service presents legitimate security & continuity of government issues in addition to the concerns you raise.
There are people who legitimately will want to hurt them. That’ll be the case for whichever country is involved, but especially for a country like Mexico. Flying a government VIP plane would greatly reduce that threat both to AMLO, and also reduce the risk of a member of the public being hurt in any attack on him.
And what happens if there’s some national emergency and he’s unreachable?
To rule the people, one must walk among them.
I was a flight attendant back in the day. Ted Turner always flew coach. Loved that.
U.S. Congress Representatives members fly coach on commercial flight to and from Washington D.C.
Not from what I’ve seen…
I sat next to Tom Emmer flying DCA-MSP earlier this year. We were both in Comfort+. I also sat next to Mike Crapo on DCA-SLC a few years ago in F. Both were pleasant.
NOT true, most of the top people (Pelosi, Schumer, AOC, etc) fly private and expense it to the tax payers because they don’t want to be bothered with seeing the people
The sad part is that it’s truly just optics. The government still pays the loans for the parked 787, its storage and maintenance. He actually does travel with aides and at least 8 security details.
AMLO’s son flies private…
I think that airline bigwigs and their families should all fly economy. That would let them experience what the vast majority of passengers experience, which knowledge would make them better at their jobs. Total win/win.
I think they can fly First but they should have to pay for it just like the rest of us. JFK-LAX $2000 roundtrip. That way they face the same choice everyone else faces when travelling by plane.