Avianca: The First Airline of the Americas

Long-established airline Avianca has the honour of being the flag carrier and national airline of Colombia since December 1919, when it was known as SCADTA. The company comprises a group of seven Latin American air carriers, making it the largest airline in Colombia and the second largest in all of Latin America. Starting with nine aircraft on its roster, SCADTA was established by a group of Colombians led by Ernesto Crotissoz, the airline's first president. Shortly after the airline's establishment, the German philanthropist and scientist Peter von Bauer contributed capital and an agreement with the Colombian government to operate the country's airmail from 1922. During the 1940s, the airline merged with Colombian Air Carrier SACO and expanded flights to a number of destinations including Miami, New York and Panama City. In 1976, they became the first Latin American airline to have a Boeing 747 in continuous operation and started operating a second 747 three years later with both passenger and cargo operations. During the 1990s, a merger with Helicol enabled Avianca to operate more cargo services and postal services as well as expanding with a more modern fleet of aircraft. The airline underwent a number of mergers and structural reorganisation during the 2000s and joined the Star Alliance in 2010. Today, the airline boasts a fleet size of 173 aircraft flying to 114 destinations and is headquartered at Bogota, Colombia. In May of 2016, the airline and its subsidiary airlines carried over 2.3 million passengers to various locations around the globe.

Flying with Avianca

The airline offers both Economy Class services and Business Class, in which space and comfort are the priority. Flying in Economy Class offers customers the best value for money with excellent service and a variety of fares for all needs. Super Promo, Econo and Flexi fares allow customers reimbursements (some charges may apply) and a free baggage allowance of one piece (23 kg max weight). Business Promo and Business also permit reimbursements and permit fliers to bring two pieces of furniture each up to 32kg in weight. In Boeing 787 planes, there are 28 Business Class seats with a range of in-flight entertainment including games, in-flight TV and movies. Customers can keep up to date about their location, flight route and status and weather conditions in the innovative Flight Map app. The airline offers a frequent flyer programme, LifeMiles, which you can redeem at a number of restaurants and stores.

Practical Info

Check-in: Avianca customers have a number of options for checking-in, including web check-in, mobile check in and airport kiosks. Prior to check-in, please ensure that your baggage does not contain any prohibited items to avoid delays and ensure you have your travel documents close at hand.

Luggage:

• Economy Class max. weight is one piece of 23 kg and Business Class passengers may bring two pieces each of 32 kg (in total). The sum of the external dimensions (length x width x height) cannot exceed 158 centimetres/62 inches.

• You are permitted to bring one carry-on baggage item with a maximum weight of 10 kg and exterior dimensions of no more than 115 centimetres/45 inches.

• Please note that for international flights, baggage that exceeds the free luggage policy may incur additional charges depending on the destination.

• For more information please see here:
  [http://www.avianca.com/co/en/travel-information/plan-your-trip/baggage/]