Avianca

✅ Verified Review | Lima to Washingto IAD via San Salvador with Avianca. I suffered from severe altitude sickness in Cusco and had to leave early to go back to Lima because of it. We first called Avianca to change the first leg of our flight to Lima and they wanted $1600. They had the same flight listed on their website for $67. We then just booked another available flight and went to Lima. The next day we called Avianca to let them know we would not need the first leg of our flight (the second part of our flight was the next day and traveled from Lima, San Salvador then IAD). They told us it would be $100 per person to still use the second part of the flight we had already paid for. I then asked to speak to a supervisor who told me it would be $200 per person. I was very frustrated by this point and said we would call back. After calling back 10 minutes later the new lady said it would be $175 per person. They are now escalating it. It should not be this hard to deal with an airline. I fly quite a bit and this is the worst experience I have ever had, this is the first and last time I will ever fly with Avianca.

✅ Verified Review | We bought business class flights from Santiago to Medellin return, the flights departing Santiago on Oct 30, and leaving from Medellin Int'l Airport on Nov 4. But flight AV8435 was delayed on 20 mins, so the staff at checkin told us they couldn't check us in, because we would have time to board our connection, despite the fact we had almost 90 mins to make it. We were offered to be served by the checkin supervisor. We told her we needed to arrive to Santiago the next morning but they didn't allow it. Almost 2 hours passed where she was "looking into options", We started looking into alternatives in our cellphones, and showing them to her - but all she said was "Let me see" "I can't connect with LAN" "we are doing the best we can". Long story short, all the different flights we were showing her were closing and we ended up losing all connections that could get us into Santiago by Nov 5th morning (today). They kept searching, so we - in 5 minutes - logged into our cell, got into Latam's site, and bought a one-way ticket Medellin to Santiago. We later went to the Avianca Office at the airport, and spoke to the man who identified himself as the one in charge, we told him was had happened and he stood looking at us. Didn't open his mouth to say anything, just took his phone, turned his back and made a phone call.

London to Bogota with Avianca. I was looking forward to the flight as my wife and I were accompanying her mother back to Colombia after a three month trip to Europe. We flew back in business class and settled down in anticipation of a pleasant flight. Unfortunately the service provided by some of the flight attendants was poor. The attendant that was looking after my section of the cabin didn't speak English and became quite rude when I asked for tea as she didn't know how to prepare it. I explained in a calm fashion but she had to ask for help from another attendant as she couldn't understand me. The food and presentation was very poor considering the price one has to pay for a business class ticket. The beef was uneatable as it was very under cooked. The same was repeated with the breakfast very badly prepared food which I couldn't eat. When I asked for a yoghurt she refused saying this was part of the other choice. I was also not offered an aperitif or other drinks after dinner or at any other time during the flight. I also had a problem with my film selection which wouldn't download and when I asked for assistance she just shrugged her shoulders as she did not understand me and moved on.

✅ Verified Review | Los Angeles to San Salvador. Not awful, but as many others have pointed out, the strange indifference of the flight crews is notable. This want not my first Avianca flight and I've seen this issue with the flight attendants before. They get you seated, offer you water while others board (in Buz Class), and then you don't see them for hours. They close the curtains to their area and gather and chat, leaving passengers on their own. It's happened on every Avianca flight I've taken. The flight attendants really do not want to serve you, it's evident in their attitude and how the flight unfolds. I just flew business class from LAX to San Salvador and the FA didn't materialize until one hour before landing to hastily hand out a meal and that with a bit of a snarl. Otherwise, Avianca's ok. The plane was clean, the seats functional and wide, though the boarding process was chaotic, but then again, that was due to obvious indifference on the part of the Avianca gate agents. You meet the same attitude from the Avainca agents who staff the lounge in San Salvador. At least they're consistent.

✅ Verified Review | San Salvador to San Jose. Avianca still using A320 with the TACA livery and in terrible condition inside. Business class seats were deteriorated to the point that leather was cracked, no personal entertainment system, and most of all unable to eat the food. The menu was pizza. When I got my plate I thought it was pasta with mushrooms, that is how soggy the pizza was. Maybe think of a friendly menu. Especially since the airport in SAL has practically no decent option to buy food. More surprised to learned that this aircraft was coming from Toronto. I feel bad for the passengers that paid business class for a 5 hour flight and got what I got for one hour. Service was good and friendly but the rest really felt like a third world airline. Lounge in SAL is nice but too small, many people standing. One would think they would plan accordingly in one of their hubs.

Buenos Aires to New York via Lima and El Salvador with Avianca. Every flight left spot on time. The Avianca crew is well organized and every flight had 2 attendants welcoming passengers, pointing to their seats. Smiles. A good start. The food was mediocre and small portions but they existed and alcohol and non alcohol were served at least 3 times on each leg of the journey. The average flying time was 4 hours plus each journey. Seats were fine and flight attendants went our of their way to tell passengers if there were empty rows of 3 seats which was true on 2 flights. The attendants were mainly from the original TACA team and sometimes incredibly helpful. When it came to a transfer and time, an attendant personally took my 4 items and stored them in the crew locker so I could get them quickly. I pressed the call buttons a total of three times and waited a total of one minute each time. The attendants on the El Salvador to New York run were quite busy assisting passengers to fill out immigration cards, etc. The seats were fine on the A330 but lacking support on the A320. There was seatback entertainment on all but the smaller jets. If you can take a rather exhausting 3 flight trip from Buenos Aires to New York, then Avianca is fine. I think the experience is rather first class in terms of service and personal care. The only complaint was that the captain announced almost nothing except to fasten seat belts when over turbulence, which was minor. The team was spot on time handing out immigration or customs cards at the beginning of each flight. So, barring the mediocre food (except out of Lima) I would, and do, recommend Avianca on this route. They are not cheap, but service is fine. I have flown with them perhaps 90 times and had two flights leave late and never lost or missed any luggage. It is always reassuring to hear from the captain, but it seems that is becoming a things of the past on some airlines. All in all, a very positive and organized group on each flight, comfortable seats, recommended.

✅ Verified Review | Bogotá to Bucaramanga. I was flying together with my wife and my son (which was 16 months old, this means that under Avianca and IATA regulations my child is supposed to seat on my wife's legs with a baby seat belt). However, due to the fact that I've paid for three seats for more confort the incompetent stewardess and crew sustained in a very rude manner that my kid was supposed to seat on its own seat. I tried to make them aware of their own safety regulations, but they ignored me an told me rudely to write a complaint. It is unbelievable how ignorant the crew were about their own regulations.

✅ Verified Review | Miami to Bogota. I had a really good experience flying MIA-BOG return with Avianca. The economy seats were comfortable and the onboard entertainment system is very good quality with large, high resolution screens. Both flights arrived early and staff were helpful. The food was not amazing but decent enough and wine was served on the evening flight. They also had USB charging available in economy seats. Overall, Avianca were better than most European airlines I have flown with, including BA. Their aircrafts are clean and modern too.

Havana to London via Bogota with Avianca. Great choice of seats despite the cheap flight for such a long way. Comfortable seats and good onboard entertainment. No delays or issues with luggage. Cabin crew could be more attentive and professional. Food supplied on both flights was ok. Good price and quality.

Liberia to Panama City via San Jose. I flew with Avianca and can say that I would recommend this airline. Sandwiches were even provided on brief flights which I definitely appreciated. No problems with the seats, cabin crew, or wifi. Oddly I had to fly in a bush plane from Liberia to San Jose before connecting to Panama City.