Flight Details
- Airline: Avianca
- Class: Economy
- Route: Sao Paulo (GRU) to Mexico City (MEX) via Bogota (BOG)
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 & Airbus A320-200
Avianca is the second oldest airline in the world and was once celebrated as the crown jewel of South American aviation. But following its post-pandemic bankruptcy, something shifted. It has become the only airline in the world to transition from a premium, full-service carrier to an ultra-low-cost model where almost everything including your water comes with a price tag.
I spent a day flying their 787 Dreamliner from São Paulo to Bogotá and their A320 from Bogotá to Mexico City to see if the “budget” reputation is truly deserved. Spoiler alert: at $671 USD for the ticket, the only thing “premium” was the price.
The “Franken-Dreamliner” (São Paulo to Bogotá)
My first flight was on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Interestingly, this particular aircraft was formerly owned by Norwegian Air. While it wears a special green Avianca livery, the interior still sports the original Norwegian configuration.
Pro-Tip for the 787: I booked the very last row. On many Dreamliners, the fuselage narrows, meaning the last rows are just two seats instead of three. This gives you extra space to store a bag next to you and a bit more legroom. Despite being overbooked, the seat next to me stayed empty a total lifesaver for a 5-hour flight.
The Service: A 25-Minute Wait for Coffee
This is where the “tragic downfall” becomes evident. On a 5-hour international flight, you would expect a meal. Instead, everything is buy-on-board. I paid roughly $15 USD for a basic ham and cheese sandwich and a soft drink.
But the real issue isn’t the cost it’s the service. I hit the call bell to order a coffee and waited. And waited.
- 10 minutes: No one.
- 20 minutes: Still no one.
- 25 minutes & 5 attempts later: A crew member finally appeared.
When the crew has nothing to do but sell snacks, you’d expect them to be on their toes. Instead, it felt like the passengers were an inconvenience to their rest in the galley.
The A320 Experience (Bogotá to Mexico City)
After a quick transit in Bogotá (where I had to buy my own food to avoid starving on the next leg), I boarded the Airbus A320. This is the backbone of Avianca’s fleet, but the experience was identical: legacy prices for a budget offering. The seats were “dreadful” for a 4-hour flight, and again, not even water was included in the fare.
The Verdict: Should You Fly Avianca?
It’s a sad story. Avianca has kept its high ticket prices while stripping away every amenity that made them a great national carrier.
My advice? Stay clear. If you want a budget experience, fly an actual budget airline for a fraction of the cost. If you’re paying $600+, you deserve a meal, a bag, and a crew that answers the call bell. Until Avianca finds its senses and returns to its legacy roots, it’s just a “budget airline in a tuxedo”
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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!
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About the Author
Josh Cahill is an award-winning Aviation YouTuber who is reportedly one of the most-watched flight reviewers on the internet. He organised Afghanistan’s first all-female flight together with Kam Air in February 2021 on a flight from Herat to Kabul for which he received the Aviation Achievement Award. His favourite hobby? Flying exotic airlines nobody has ever heard of.
