TACA review : 19 June 2008 : by D Irani

Customer Rating : 4/5

LAX-SJO-LAX I've flown TACA/LACSA on 4 trips to Central America and they have been very good and on newer planes (for the most part). Food, drinks, and entertainment, are still included in the airfare.

TACA review by D Irani

19 June 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LAX-SJO-LAX I've flown TACA/LACSA on 4 trips to Central America and they have been very good and on newer planes (for the most part). Food, drinks, and entertainment, are still included in the airfare.

TACA review by Julie Poulter

17 June 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Flew three sectors in South America with this airline and was quite impressed. Planes were quite new and ran on time. The only thing I can criticiee is the lack of options concerning food. Everyone gets the same. Eat up before you fly if you have dietary issues (ie. vegetarians, etc).

TACA review by M Chapman

23 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

LAX-GUA-SJO and SJO-LAX. Departure from LAX at 0145 with short stop in Guatamala City. Food free of charge and more than adequate, with complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (with exception of snack on GUA/SJO sector, which was unusual).Beverage station set up at rear of aircraft. Volume on movies (both ways) inoperative for everyone. SJO/LAX on a new and nice A319.

TACA review by J Threasher

10 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I have made several trips with Taca, on trips to/from El Salvador, usually changing in Miami, but also in Guatemala City and San Jose (Costa Rica). They haven't once been late, my luggage has arrived all but once (left in Paris by Air France) and the inflight service is far more friendly and helpful than most european airlines (especially Iberia). The seats are comfortable with better legroom than transatlantic economy flights, but I still get allocated in the emergency rows on a regular basis from San Salvador, which shows they use their common sense because I am taller than most of the locals. The boarding is well organised and adhered to by the customers. The first time I went to El Salvador and arrived at Miami off the Air France flight from Paris, I went to the information desk before immigration and a very helpful staff member took me to a waiting room and then to the gate. The staff all speak english, check-in is efficient and staff courteous. In San Salvador, customers can go to the office in the MultiPlaza shopping mall and check in a day early, which means that you don't have to queue with everyone else for check-in. The baggage drop-off queue is much shorter. Perhaps the only gripe is that they put the airconditioning on to the maximum setting while boarding, which can make one rather cold if already dressed for the tropics.

TACA review by Z Wynne

9 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

IAD-SAL-SAP-LCE-RTB with Taca/Taca Regional (Islena). Mainline Taca perfectly fine with new aircraft, a decent breakfast on the IAD-SAL/SAL-IAD routes, and attentive staff. Only complaint is that they did not seem to serve hot beverages on any flight. While the connection times were a bit tight, we had no problems, as all these airports are fairly small. Taca regional flights are operated by Islena in Honduras. The aircraft (ATR 42) looked a bit old yet the flights were comfortable. As none of their flights are over 30 minutes in duration, there was no service to speak of, although the great views of the mountains and coastline make up for lack of in flight entertainment. Luggage arrived just fine in RTB, although I have heard horror stories on Roatan of Islena losing luggage for several days during these connections. Carry-on is recommended. All in all, full marks to Taca/Islena.

TACA review by C Hart

9 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LAX-GUA-LAX, Economy there, Business back.TACA's got better at LAX since my first flight with them about 2 years ago. The ground staff seem less frantic, and there seemed to be some structure in their check-in. LAX security however is awful. Onboard they had an inflight entertainment program of a movie and some American TV shows, but they didn't start that till after they served food and drinks. Male FAs equalled or outnumbered female FAs - all very attentive. GUA is fairly straightforward, and the baggage came off very quickly. GUA-LAX I was bumped up to Business Class - personal TVs.

TACA review by Leif Dilling

5 October 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

SJO-UIO-LIM-SJO in Economy. Flight on new refurbished A320 left on time, snackbox with a sandwich and salad, not great but ok for a 2 hour flight. Flight attendants very attentive, new slim line economy seats are comfortable. UIO-LIM, early morning, strict security in Quito, requested on check in and got exit Row seat on A319, new slim eco as well. Meal a snackbox, different sandwich and salad, but ok. LIM-SJO warm meal served on this 3h40 flight, 2 rounds of drinks during meal. I dont rate IFE, because I always use my own entertainment.

TACA review by Patrick Meier

15 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

LIM-GRU in Economy class. Internet reservation and online check-in system excellent. A321, clean, comfortable and a lot of leg space. Inflight entertainment for 4.5 hours flight was ok, but nothing exceptional. Crew friendly and professional. The dinner could be bigger, you don't get much to fill your stomach and English of the crew must improve. All in all a very good airline.

TACA review by Robert Allard

11 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YUL-YYZ-SAL-LIM return all reserved through TACA, but the YUL-YYZ leg was with another carrier. Flights on time and my short connection in SAL was straightforward. I was very surprised by my first experience with TACA (Taca just started a new flight out of Toronto). The price was very competitive (about 200$ lower than AC) and with very minimal restrictions and penalties in case of change/refund. This kind of advantage is often ignored when purchasing a fare. I would fly TACA again.

TACA review by F Chehab

3 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

I did 4 flights with TACA Peru. My overall experience was for the least mitigated.Concerning the FA, they weren't very friendly, except on my flight from Lima to La Paz. Food on board is on the edge of ediblity (I can't imagine just a couple of months ago, you had to pay for such a bad quality!) The fleet is indeed modern, seriously lacking of entertainment however!

TACA review by Leif Dilling

10 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

San José to Panama City in Business. Priority Boarding in SJO, nice and clean A320, comfy seats in a 2x2 configuration. Business was full. Service by attentive FA, drinks before take off and during the flight. 50 Minutes in the air and served one round of drinks with warm cashews and almonds, then a cold meal, nicely presented and tasty. Again, all in a 50 Minute flight, served by 1 FA and full Business Cabin, very impressive. Immigration at PTY a breeze, no lines. Baggage claim in PTY a little chaotic.

TACA review by Jean-Louis Vergaert

9 March 2007

Guatemala to Salvador, 28 February, business class: comfortable lounge in Guatemala City, and nice aircraft, comfortable business class seats. No priority boarding. The most frustrating aspect is that they will serve you a drink prior to take-off, but not during the flight - with the excuse that it is a 50 minutes flight only. With a nice plastic cup, one could appreciate the landscape a good drink in the hand, but obviously TACA flight attendants are too busy for servicing their 8 business class customers. Other Central American companies do serve drinks and snacks on the same flight length.

TACA review by Todd Griggs

12 January 2007

LAX-RTB Business Class. I make this flight everyother month and have found a couple things you can count on - they will lose your luggage. After you have lost your luggage, good luck talking to someone who cares or can help you. The only phone numbers are for reservations only - you cannot contact any airport counters or anyone else who will help. The only way you will get served a drink is if you are either the pilot or co-pilot because you would swear the only reason the attendants are onboard is for the flight crew. I cannot say anything bad about the crew or flights from SAL to RTB they do a great job. But anything from the States south is bad news. Now for the boarding process - free for all - business class means nothing it is just one flood gate and you will find two things the boarding time on your ticket means nothing and they let the person at the very last seat in the very back of the plane put their luggage in the business class section of the luggage racks. So when you get on the plane your bag has to go all the way to the back luggage rack when you fly business class. To add insult to injury - they ask you to fill out a hero award survey. It is just a matter of time when other airlines will offer service from LAX to RTB and I cannot wait.

TACA review by Steffen Frey

9 January 2007

LIM to CCS. Must say that the cabin of the A320 was the cleanest I've ever seen. Flight was on time and both the ground staff and the cabin crew did an excellent job, very polite and friendly service. But I think it's a pity that you have to pay for a snack that's surely not haute couisine.

TACA review by Ryan Degenerisa

20 November 2006

SJO to GRU with stops in UIO and LIM (it was an award ticket using AA miles when TA / AA were still partners). The SJO - UIO leg was on LACSA and, I must say, the quality of service when flying on a LACSA flight (meaning a Costa Rican based crew) is definitely higher compare to the other TACA cabin crew. All flights were on time and my luggage arrived with me at GRU, a big plus for TACA. They offer a buy on board snack service that left something to be desire, specially on the 5 hours LIM - GRU leg. Connecting in LIM was smooth and quick and TACA PERU Crew was also efficient and professional.

TACA review by Hans Niehorster

12 November 2006

Taca Executive class is a joke. My wife and I flew from Tegucigalpa to LAX return. Taca claims to have "the newest fleet of the Americas" No Biz-class lounges in either TGU not LAX, which would have been welcome after our long trip returning from China. The head rest of my seat fell off and could not be fixed. The recline angle of the seat is only minimally better than economy class. The seat has 2 buttons, one to recline and the other for the leg rest , but the leg rest has been taken off to allow for a shorter pitch between seats. The faucett of the biz- class restroom was broken. The flush button of the biz-class restroom is kept to the wall by an adhesive tape. The seatbelt sign on both stretches was kept on the entire flight, for the cabin crew not to give any service at all. There was no turbulence at any moment. Our empty glass and Coke tin stayed on our table for most of the 5 hour return flight. On the way up we were served a minimal sandwich, on the way down we declined the pleasure. Taca business class? Really a class all by itself.

TACA review by Ravi Shirodaria

1 July 2006

Booked a last minute vacation to San Jose from Boston with a layover in San Salvador. I booked TACA not only cause it was almost $200 cheaper than any US carrier but the fact that I hate making connecting flights through US hubs. I have to say I was not expecting much, but was very pleasantly suprise. As a FF on BA/TG I have pretty high standards. Flight attendants were helpful, seats in Y class were standard but comfortable enough for the 5 hour journey. On my return I was supposed to go via GUA and SAL into Boston however as the flight from SJO to GUA was delayed the TACA ground staff made no hesitation to put me on a direct SJO to SAL flight so the connection was much smoother. For the price, safety and on time service I will use TACA again for flights to Central America.

TACA review by David Cleveland

23 January 2006

We have flown Taca to Central/South America a number of times as I had several hundred thousand miles with their FF Program - Distancia. Flying to South America on Taca usually involves a stopover/change of planes in El Salvador and then a short hop to San Jose, Costa Rica - followed by a long layover at the SJO airport. Tip for those with long stopovers in San Jose: You may leave the airport by telling immigration that you are "In Transito" (there less than 24 hours) - take everything with you - be sure you have your passports and boarding passes. Immigration will give you a slip. You can then take a free shuttle to the casino/Denny's/Hampton Inn that is two minutes away - far more comfortable places to relax than the terminal. We are usually there for five or six hours, so we get a day room for about $30 at the Hotel Riviera - they will pick you up or ask you to take a $5 cab. The $30 is well spent for a decent room, shower, dip in the pool, nap after a redeye flight! When you get back to the SJO airport - go in to the main checkin terminal and go all the way to your left - there is a immigration office/window where you fill out a short form that is stamped waiving the airport departure fee and clearing you to go back through immigration/security. This is a great alternative to five or six hours stuck in the SJO airport!

TACA review by Carlos Morales

16 November 2005

I recently did a tour of Central America SJO/TGU/GUA/MGA/SAP on TACA. Last time I fly this airline. Boarding is a joke, service and attitude of the flight attendants is horrible. I was upgraded to Biz Class twice as the flights were overbooked and it was a bit better. They pad their schedules with up to 30 minutes of extra time so that they can arrive on-time even if they leave late. Unfortunately there is a monopoly in Central America, however I will go out of my way next time to drive between cities (3 hours in most cases) before I get on another TACA plane, or fly COPA. Will save hundreds of dollars in airport departure taxes as well!

TACA review by Mark Thompson

20 August 2005

JFK-SJO-JFK Executive Class.. I must say that TACA has to be the worst airlines I have ever flown in all my years of travel. Check-in is a joke with no dedicated agent to service just Executive Class passengers so be prepared to wait. Additionally TACA does not offer its premium class passengers any sort of Lounge both at JFK and or San Jose though the website claims differently. The seats in Executive class do not resemble the seat displayed on-line - in a 3 row 2x2 basic configuration and not comfortable with very tight space between rows. The food in Executive Class was terrible so make sure to eat before boarding the flight or bring something with you. The website claims, “Your Personal Capuccino bar” - Ok Sure. On the return flight home from San Jose to JFK business class was over booked and I was therefore downgraded after being told to go to the gate to obtain my Executive Class seat assignment. Though I was a full paid “C” class passenger, TACA refused to refund the difference between Coach Class and Executive and all they were willing to offer was a $300 voucher that I refused to be redeemed at a later time. The gate agent told me that TACA has a problem of overselling their flights and that over booking is a regular occurrence.

TACA review by Alejandro Canton

3 July 2005

Just got back from a trip from Pty to TGU and back, with a connection in SJO going and SAL coming back. Tegucigalpa is in the middle of Central America and, for some reason not necessarily very accesible. The flight from SJO to TGU was on an ATR 42, which is a turbo-prop, small, 44-seater, with the minimal pitch and width, very uncomfortable for a three-hour flight, including a stop in SAP. The other flights were on an A319 and an A320 . Both being quite comfortable. For some unknown reason, executive class on the A320 had the exact same configuration as in economy, the only difference being pillows and blankets plus some drinks. FAs were adequate. But they would benefit from better English . Entertainment system as good as non-existent. I was able to talk to some passengers flying from Argentina and Chile. They were starving, as they were not even offered the purchase of a sandwich. In general, this airline advertises itself as low-fare, which they live up to. But, if you fly from the west coast to Central of South America, take enough food. Otherwise, you could end up in a very uncomfortable situation.

TACA review by G Erichsen

29 June 2005

We flew earlier this month on Taca/Lacsa from Miami to Quito, Ecuador, switching planes at San Jose, Costa Rica, then returned to Miami from Guayaquil, Ecuador, again getting a new plane at San Jose. I have no major complaints: The flights were pretty much on time, the fares were reasonable, the seating was reasonably comfortable (definitely better than on my domestic flights in the U.S. to get to Miami), any our luggage arrived intact. In other words, Taca/Lacsa kept up its end of the bargain. My minor complaints: Check-in in both Miami and Guayaquil was a bit slow, the in-flight audio for my seat didn't work right on two flights, and the snacks weren't particularly appealing. Meals were available for $5, and while I didn't buy one, they looked about like what one would expect for an airline meal. I chose Taca/Lacsa because its fare and schedule worked out best for me, and I would pick the airline again under the same conditions.

TACA review by J Attwood

29 May 2005

I flew roundtrip with Group TACA in March 2005 from JFK to Santiago, Chile for my first trip to South America. I’d not heard of the airline before but Internet research assured me they were safe and reliable. My budget certainly approved of their low fare – US$730 – roundtrip. The low fare though added time to the trip since there was a plane change and long layover in Costa Rica and a short layover and plane change in Lima, Peru on the way to Santiago and on the return. I made the reservation directly with TACA by telephone. The reservation agent was helpful and efficient, worked with me to find travel dates that would keep the cost down, and the e-ticket was waiting for me when I checked in at JFK. Check in for the 7:00am flight out of JFK was quick and efficient. The ticket counter opened at 3:30am and I was one of the first in line having flown in late to JFK from MSP. TACA allows coach passengers two checked bags with a combined weight not to exceed 100 lbs. All my flights were on new Airbus 319s. The departure from JFK was delayed due to the heavy wet snow that had been falling for the last five hours. We had a lengthy deicing process. After deicing, the flight attendants performed a thorough visual check of the wing surfaces. They got right up to the windows by the window seat and took a long look at the wings. They repeated this process from many of the windows along the length of the plane. Then someone from the flight deck came into the cabin and looked at something reported by an attendant. A few minutes later, the deicing truck came back and sprayed the wings again. I was feeling quite relaxed about flying TACA after seeing this demonstration of their obvious concern with clean control surfaces on the plane. All six flights I had for the trip to Chile and back on TACA had this in common: The planes were clean. The seating in coach was not cramped. All flights were no smoking. There was a large, tasty snack service including that fabulous Costa Rican coffee, Café Britt. Announcements were in English and Spanish and all crew spoke English. Headsets for the entertainment system were free and the videos shown were in English if you selected the right channel on the system. Only one of the six flights was full. None of my luggage was lost, pilfered, or delayed. Regrettably, TACA did show me they respond well to a large problem that upset their tightly run flight system. About an hour after leaving Costa Rica flying to Lima, the flight deck made an announcement in Spanish that had the passengers groaning. It was repeated in English and I learned that we were returning to Costa Rica due to a weather radar problem on the plane. My layover in Lima was only one hour so obviously I was not going to make the connecting TACA flight to Santiago. TACA impressed me by their handling of this dilemma once we were on the ground again in Costa Rica. Instead of parking at a gate in Costa Rica, they had us deplane to a waiting airport bus. As I climbed into the bus I noticed an abundant crew of baggage handlers quickly unloading the plane. TACA bussed us back to the terminal and told us to go immediately to gate 5. Multiple gate agents were there to assist us with any difficulties the delay caused and there was a plane waiting at the gate. The agent looked at my ticket and told me they were holding the TACA flight from Lima to Santiago. There were about 12 of us making that connection and I was impressed they would delay that flight from Lima for three hours. I doubt the passengers delayed in Lima were pleased. She also said to return in 30 minutes for re-boarding which allowed many passengers to make a phone call about their delay. When we landed in Lima, we parked on the ramp near the flight to Santiago and not at a gate. Again, numerous luggage handlers were unloading the plane and the few Santiago passengers were bussed to the already loaded flight parked on the ramp awaiting our arrival. Both of my checked bags had now made three transfers with TACA and both safely arrived with me in Chile. Good job TACA! One last comment about the TACA ground operation. I had a five-hour layover each way in Costa Rica. The airport there is small, maybe 12 gates, but quite comfortable with numerous shops. I spent some time watching planes at the gate and the TACA crews servicing them. The three to five man luggage crews searched one another after they finished loading or unloading a flight. After closing the cargo door, each stood in a spread eagle stance and was patted down by another employee. Certainly not a guaranteed method to prevent theft but I’d never seen any other airline do that with their luggage crews.

TACA review by Erik Gibbons

11 May 2005

One follow up note to my previous post. I flew TACA again just a few weeks ago LAX-SJO and upgraded to business class. I suppose it was worth the $100 because it was a red-eye, but don't expect anything spectacular. Drinks are supplied before the meal and after, food is brought out on a tray and not even asked if you want it or not. You can decline, but it would be nice to be asked. Food was marginal (a hot sandwich and some fruit). After the service, lights were dimmed, movie shown (one movie for six hours!) and FA's retreated behind the curtain not to be seen again. No water/juice service to hydrate the pax either. After a 6 hour flight, no OJ or coffee offered prior to landing. That would have been nice. Also, when checking in at SJO for the return flight, conditions were much improved after my last fiasco in February. The agent did note they were in the middle of a computer change/upgrade, so that may have been the problem last time. Checked in two hours prior to departure and no business class available for upgrade this time.

TACA review by Fernando Dobles

30 April 2005

SJO-LIM-GRU-LIM-SJO. Although the old LR glory days are gone, Taca continues to offer a good product for the money with safe and on time operations on the "newest fleet in the Americas". Flights all departed and arrived on time and both the A319s and A320s were spotless both inside and out. Seat pitch in economy is much better compared to other regional / US airlines. Being a Platinum Distancia FF member, both my wife and I were upgraded to Business from LIM to GRU and back by just showing our platinum cards. The extra space is always nice, although seats were not the most comfortable. Having a light load from Lima on a night flight to GRU, some fellow C class passengers preferred to go back in economy and get some sleep on the 3 seats across. Service was friendly, efficient and polite, although meals were basic and rather spartan even in C. Our bags made it with us in both legs, even with a very tight connection in LIM.

TACA review by Jeff Williams

21 April 2005

LIM-CAR Excellent flight in good TACA business class seats with impeccable service on a clean A319 and on-time arrival. European airlines could learn a lot about standards of service from both TACA and COPA.

TACA review by Erik Gibbons

21 April 2005

LAX to SJO in Feb 2005. The flight left on time and arrived a few minutes early. Immigration was a breeze at SJO. During the flight the cabin is very busy with the movie playing, the FA's serving "buy on-board" food and of course the duty free stuff. I would recommend ear plugs and eye shades if you wish to sleep. Also, the seats leave a bit to be desired as they are like plastic! Bring a pillow for sure as they don't pass them out any longer. The only good thing about the seating was the leg room. Much more generous than domestic U.S. airlines! I will fly them again, but probably pay the $100 to upgrade to business class for the comfort factor (if it's available that is). One last note: beware of checking in at SJO! It's a zoo and takes FOREVER! I gave myself almost 2 hours to check in and just barely made my flight. I wouldn't have if they hadn't pulled me out of line to check in. Give yourself plenty of time at SJO with TACA!

TACA review by Eric Schuchardt

3 January 2005

When our American Airlines flight from Guatemala City to Miami was cancelled, we flew TACA on the route. Check in was easy and boarding was uncomplicated as well. The plane, an A319, was clean, if spartan. The food was ordinary, but American served no meal at all on our arrival flight. The FA's were friendly and efficient. Our flight landed on time at MIA. I would use TACA again.

TACA review by David Mejia

5 December 2004

I fly TACA often from Mexico to San Salvador. They have recently reduced their Fares. However the service is efficient , planes are clean, and service personel is very efficient and kind. I is also evident they have worked hard in their service consistency and on time performance.

TACA review by Enrique Meseguer

18 May 2004

SJO to SAL in C Class in Lacsa Airbus A-320. Great seat for short-medium range flights. When service begins in SJO with fresh crew = great service. Still SJO airport lacks of facilities which are quickly surpassed by regional airports as PTY, MGA and SAL. Grupo Taca is a bit difficult to deal at check-in but once airborne, it normally pays off to travel with them. Be aware of NEW NO MEALS policy.

TACA review by Ronald Soriano

3 May 2004

My trip with TACA Airline from LAX SJO via GUA. Check-in was fairly easy at LAX only complain is that the TSA procedures are a mess at the international terminal. Boarding was fast, and easy, got the seats I wanted, as far as the meals TACA could do better same plain sandwich. We departed and arrived on time on all our flight and with all our luggage. A great job provided by the TACA personnel throughout their network especially in SJO AND SAL.

TACA review by Amelia Vela

15 April 2004

I have used TACA to fly to El Salvador a few times. I just recently came back using Taca with a connecting flight on another airline, TACA failed to check-in my bags all the way to my final destination. When I called TACA in Forth Worth/Dallas they could tell me very little about why my luggage had not arrived, they told me that my luggage was not there and that it might have been routed to a different location, I called to other airline to get a little more information on my luggage and they told me that my luggage were sitting in Fort Worth/Dallas with TACA. TACA's customer service was unbelievably poor.

TACA review by Carlos Norvik

12 January 2004

I fly TACA a lot, because I live in El Salvador. Within Central America, they have good fares if you plan your trip ahead, a rip off if you don't . Since good fares require a Sunday stay, for some routes it is cheaper to buy 2 tickets, and never use the return portion (or make a 2nd. trip with it), than it is to buy a "within the week" ticket. Cabin service used to be good some years ago, but it is non existent nowadays. Ground service is quite good. I have never had a delayed or lost bag.

TACA review by Cindy Wood

15 December 2003

TACA (Grupo Taca)- The only airline that flies from the West coast to Nicaragua is Taca. All flights to and from Central America stop in their hub, El Salvador, and their flight schedule doesn't allow enough time for the required transfers . On our return flight from Managua to Lax, we could see our surfboards still laying on the ground as we took off from El Salvador. None of our luggage or surfboards arrived with us. About 75 other passengers were in line at lost luggage counter at LAX from the same flight. Very poor customer service and no information available during the claim process. All of the luggage appeared on our doorstep about 5 days later! The only way I'd chance Taca again is if I had no check-in baggage !