Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de ColombiaAV

Avianca is the flag carrier of Colombia and the second oldest airline in the world still in operation, after KLM. Founded on December 5, 1919, as SCADTA (Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transporte Aereo) in Barranquilla, Colombia, the airline rebranded as Avianca (Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia) in 1940.

Headquartered in Bogota with its main hub at El Dorado International Airport, Avianca is the largest airline in Colombia and the second largest in Latin America after LATAM. The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, serving over 75 destinations across the Americas and Europe.

Avianca joined Star Alliance on June 21, 2012, providing seamless connections with United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and other partner carriers. The airline is known for its extensive network across Central and South America, with strong connections through its dual hub system in Bogota and San Salvador.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 45 x 35 x 25 cm (18 x 14 x 10 in)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Backpack, purse, laptop bag, small tote

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in) including handles and wheels
• Weight limit: 10 kg (22 lbs)
• Included on: S, M, L fares and Business class
• XS fare: NOT included - personal item only

Fare Class	Personal Item	Cabin Bag
XS (Basic)	Free	Not included
S	Free	Free
M (Classic)	Free	Free
L (Flex)	Free	Free
Business	Free	Free

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear dimensions maximum

Domestic & Regional Flights:

Fare	Bags Included	1st Bag Fee	2nd Bag Fee	Weight Limit
XS (Basic)	0	$40	$95	23 kg (50 lbs)
S	0	$40	$95	23 kg (50 lbs)
M (Classic)	1	-	$95	23 kg (50 lbs)
L (Flex)	2	-	-	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2	-	-	32 kg (70 lbs)

International Flights:

Fare	Bags Included	1st Bag Fee	2nd Bag Fee	Weight Limit
XS (Basic)	0	$60-130	$100+	23 kg (50 lbs)
S	0	$60-130	$100+	23 kg (50 lbs)
M (Classic)	1	-	$100	23 kg (50 lbs)
L (Flex)	2	-	-	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2	-	-	32 kg (70 lbs)

Note: Fees vary by route. Transatlantic flights (Europe) may have different pricing structures.

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Weight Range	Fee
24-32 kg (51-70 lbs)	$100
33-45 kg (71-100 lbs)	$200
Over 45 kg	Not accepted

Size	Fee
159-203 cm (63-80 in)	$150
Over 203 cm	May require cargo

Elite Status & Credit Card Benefits

Status	Additional Free Bags
LifeMiles Silver (S/M/L fares)	+1 bag (23 kg)
LifeMiles Gold (S/M/L fares)	+2 bags (23 kg each)
LifeMiles Diamond (S/M/L fares)	+2 bags (23 kg each)
Star Alliance Gold	+2 bags (23 kg each)

Avianca Credit Card Holders: First checked bag free on domestic flights (cardholder only).

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag, max 23 kg
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Bicycle	$150	Must be boxed, max 32 kg
Surfboard	$150	Size restrictions apply
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/mobility aids	Free	Gate-check or cargo

Purchase Tips

• Book online at least 48 hours before departure for lowest prices
• Airport counter purchases cost significantly more (up to $50+ extra per bag)
• Add bags during initial booking for best rates
• LifeMiles elite members should link their account for automatic benefits

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at avianca.com/baggage before traveling.

Cabin Classes

Avianca offers Economy and Business class on most routes. Seat configurations vary by aircraft type.

Economy Class

Seat Specifications (A320/A320neo):

• Seat pitch: 30-31 inches (76-79 cm)
• Seat width: 18 inches (46 cm)
• Configuration: 3-3
• Recline: Limited pre-reclined design
• Power: USB ports at each seat
• Entertainment: WiFi streaming to personal devices (no seatback screens on narrowbody)

Avianca Plus Seats (Extra Legroom):

• Seat pitch: 34-36 inches (86-91 cm)
• Located in rows 4-14
• Independent headrest with 6 positions
• USB ports and device stand
• Enhanced recline
• Can be purchased or included with L fare

Business Class

Narrowbody Aircraft (A320):

• Seat pitch: 38 inches (97 cm)
• Configuration: 2-2 (first 3 rows)
• Middle seat blocked for extra space
• Seat width: 20 inches (51 cm)
• More recline and wider armrests
• Priority boarding and dedicated overhead bins

Widebody Aircraft (Boeing 787):

• Lie-flat seats in reverse herringbone configuration
• Configuration: 1-2-1 (all seats have direct aisle access)
• Full privacy and lie-flat beds
• Premium amenity kits
• Available on long-haul routes to Europe and select Americas routes

Entertainment

• WiFi streaming: Free entertainment content via Avianca app
• Content includes films, TV series, music, and reading material
• No seatback screens on A320 fleet
• WiFi for personal use available for purchase

Food & Beverage

Economy:

• Short-haul: Buy-on-board service; no complimentary meals
• Long-haul: Complimentary meals and beverages
• Purchase snacks, sandwiches, and drinks on domestic/regional flights

Business Class:

• Multi-course meal service
• Premium wine and beverage selection
• Complimentary meals on all flights

Special Meals: Pre-order through Manage Booking at least 24 hours before departure.

Booking:

• Compare total cost with bags before choosing XS fare - often M fare is better value
• Book directly on avianca.com for easier changes and customer service
• Use LifeMiles for Star Alliance partner flights - often great value for United, Lufthansa
• Watch for LifeMiles sales on purchased miles (frequent 100%+ bonuses)

Fare Selection:

• XS: Only if traveling with just a personal item and no changes needed
• S: Good for carry-on only travelers
• M: Best value if you need 1 checked bag
• L: Includes 2 bags, changes, refunds - compare to buying add-ons separately

At the Airport:

• Use kiosks at BOG - much faster than counter lines
• Bogota El Dorado is large - allow 90+ minutes for connections
• Avianca Lounge in BOG International is after passport control, central terminal
• Gate changes are common - monitor the app

Upgrades:

• LifeMiles elite members get complimentary upgrade opportunities
• Paid upgrade offers may appear 24-48 hours before departure
• Avianca Plus seats (extra legroom) can be purchased during booking or check-in

Connections via Bogota:

• El Dorado handles 18,000+ connecting passengers daily
• Minimum connection time is typically 90 minutes international
• Terminal 1 handles all Avianca flights - no terminal changes needed

Earning Miles:

• XS fares earn no miles - upgrade to S for miles earning
• Credit card transfers from Amex, Citi, Capital One go to LifeMiles
• Star Alliance partners: Earn LifeMiles on United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and more

Common Issues:

• WiFi streaming requires downloading Avianca app before flight
• No seatback entertainment on A320 fleet - bring headphones
• Checked bag fees at airport are significantly higher than online
• Colombian Peso (COP) prices on domestic routes - check conversion rates

Article verified January 2025 using official Avianca sources.