Jazmin Li
Avianca Airlines, the largest airline in Colombia, operates in 83 airports across 28 countries, including the United States. The airline is headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia, and has been in operation since 1919, making it one of the oldest airlines in the world. Avianca offers a range of domestic and international flights, including direct routes to and from the United States, such as San Salvador (SAL) and Bogotá (BOG). The airline is a member of the Star Alliance, allowing passengers to redeem miles from other Star Alliance airlines for flights on Avianca.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports served in the US | 11 |
| Airports in the US | Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York City (JFK), Ontario (ONT), Orlando (MCO), San Francisco (SFO), Tampa (TPA), Washington (IAD) |
| Number of airports served globally | 83 |
| Number of countries served | 28 |
| Country of origin | Colombia |
| Global headquarters | Bogotá, Colombia |
| Main hub | El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá |
| Alliance | Star Alliance |
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What You'll Learn
Avianca Airlines destinations in the US
Avianca Airlines, the largest airline in Colombia, offers flights to several destinations in the United States. The airline, headquartered in Bogotá, is a significant player in global aviation, serving 25 domestic destinations and 58 international destinations across 28 countries.
In the United States, Avianca Airlines offers flights to and from major cities, including Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York City (JFK), Ontario (ONT), Orlando (MCO), San Francisco (SFO), Tampa (TPA), and Washington (IAD). These destinations provide convenient options for travellers looking to explore the United States or connect to other international flights.
One of the notable aspects of Avianca Airlines is its presence at prominent airports across the United States. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, for instance, is a major hub for the airline. Unfortunately, an Avianca flight headed to this airport from Bogotá, Colombia, in 1990, crashed in Cove Neck, New York, due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in 73 fatalities.
In addition to its extensive network in the United States, Avianca Airlines also operates in various Central and South American countries. The airline's subsidiaries, such as Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca Ecuador, and Avianca El Salvador, among others, further enhance its reach in these regions. Avianca's main hub is at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, and the airline has historically played a crucial role in connecting the United States with Central and South America.
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Avianca Airlines destinations in Central and South America
Avianca Airlines, the largest airline in Colombia, offers flights to a variety of destinations in Central and South America. The airline has been the flag carrier of Colombia since 1919 and is headquartered in the country, with its global headquarters in Bogotá. It operates as part of a codesharing system with its subsidiaries, including Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca Ecuador, and Avianca El Salvador, among others, giving it a broad reach across the Americas.
Avianca serves 25 domestic destinations and 58 international destinations in 28 countries as of April 2025. Some of the Central and South American destinations served by the airline include:
- San Salvador (SAL)
- Bogotá (BOG)
- Barranquilla (BAQ)
- Guatemala City (GUA)
- Managua (MAG)
- Arauca (AUC)
- Armenia (AXM)
- Barrancabermeja (EJA)
- Barranquilla (BAQ)
- Bogotá (BOG)
- Bucaramanga (BGA)
- Cali (CLO)
- Cartagena (CTG)
- Cúcuta (CUC)
- Ibagué (IBE)
- Ipiales (IPI)
- Leticia, Amazonas (LET)
- Medellín (MDE)
- Montería (MTR)
- Neiva, Huila (NVA)
- Pasto (PSO)
- Pereira (PEI)
- Popayán (PPN)
- Quibdó (UIB)
- Riohacha (RCH)
- San Andrés (ADZ)
- Santa Marta (SMR)
- Valledupar (VUP)
- Villavicencio (VVC)
- Yopal (EYP)
Avianca's fleet consists primarily of narrow-body, single-aisle aircraft, with a few wide-body aircraft for long-haul flights. The airline offers a range of amenities in its business class, including comfortable seats, tasty food and drink programs, and amenity kits, making it a popular choice for travellers to Central and South America.
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Avianca Airlines business class
Avianca Airlines, the largest airline in Colombia, offers business class services on its flights. The business class experience includes an amenity kit, food and drinks, and comfortable seats. The airline has a variety of aircraft in its fleet, including narrow-body, single-aisle planes and wide-body planes.
Avianca's 787 business class seats are arranged in a reverse herringbone pattern, with 20 seats spread across five rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats are equipped with individual air nozzles, a feature that is not commonly found on non-US carriers. However, some reviewers have criticised the lack of reclining options and the limited in-flight entertainment options.
The business class bedding is well-received, with thick pillows, plush duvets, and mattress pads, enhancing the comfort of the sleeping surface. However, the airline has been criticised for not providing toothpaste in the amenity kits.
Avianca's business class meal service has been described as basic and simplified. While the food is edible, the service flow could be improved by offering drink refills before clearing the meal trays.
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Avianca Airlines subsidiaries
Avianca Airlines, the largest airline in Colombia, has subsidiaries across Central and South America. It is the flagship of a group of airlines of the Americas, operating as one airline using a codesharing system. Avianca Holdings owns several regional subsidiaries, including Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca Ecuador, Avianca El Salvador, Avianca Guatemala, Avianca Honduras, and Avianca Peru.
In 2019, Avianca Holdings sold its shares in Turboprop Leasing Company Ltd., the parent company of two Central American airlines, Servicios Aéreos Nacionales S.A. (SANSA) and Aerotaxis La Costeña S.A. (La Costeña). These airlines operate domestic flights in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, respectively. This move was part of Avianca's strategy to focus on international air travel and strengthen its international passenger transportation segment.
Avianca has a history of acquisitions and mergers, including with TACA Airlines in 2010, forming AviancaTaca Holding S.A. As a result, the subsidiary airlines of AviancaTaca Holding S.A. adopted the Avianca brand name. Additionally, Avianca has subsidiaries like Avianca Express, which operates short regional flights within Colombia, and Avianca Cargo, dedicated to cargo transportation.
Avianca Airlines and its subsidiaries offer the most extensive network of destinations in the Americas, serving 83 airports in 28 countries as of April 2025. The airline's frequent-flyer program, LifeMiles, rewards customer loyalty and is applicable across Avianca, Star Alliance member airlines, and select other airlines.
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Avianca Airlines history
Avianca Airlines, the largest airline in Colombia, has a long history that dates back to the early days of aviation. The airline traces its roots to December 5, 1919, when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA (Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aéreos), making it the world's second-oldest extant airline after KLM.
Avianca's predecessor, SCADTA, was founded by a group of Colombian and German businessmen, including Colombians Ernesto Cortissoz Alvarez-Correa (the first President of the airline), Rafael María Palacio, Cristóbal Restrepo, Jacobo Correa, and Aristides Noguera, and Germans Werner Kämmerer, Stuart Hosie, and Albert Tietjen. The company accomplished its first flight on September 5, 1920, between Barranquilla and the nearby town of Puerto Colombia, transporting 57 pieces of mail. By the mid-1920s, SCADTA had started its first international routes, covering destinations in Venezuela and the United States.
On June 14, 1940, SCADTA, under the ownership of United States businessmen, merged with the regional Colombian airline SACO, forming the new Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia S.A. or Avianca. This merger reduced Pan Am's shareholding in the company to 64%, while the Colombian government held 15%. In 1946, Avianca began flights to Quito, Lima, Panama City, Miami, New York City, and Europe, using Douglas DC-4s and C-54 Skymasters. In 1951, the company acquired Lockheed Constellations and Super Constellations, further expanding its capabilities.
Over the years, Avianca continued to grow and expand its operations. In 1961, the company leased two Boeing 707s for its international routes and acquired its own Boeing 720s. In 1976, Avianca became the first Latin American airline to continuously operate the Boeing 747-100. In 1981, the company constructed a new exclusive terminal called the Terminal Puente Aéreo, which was inaugurated by President Julio César Turbay Ayala.
In the 1990s, Avianca experienced several notable incidents, including the crash of Avianca Flight 052 in 1990 and the hijacking of Avianca Flight 9463 in 1999. Despite these challenges, the company continued to thrive and was recognized for its achievements, winning various awards for its customer service and onboard service.
In the 2000s, Avianca underwent several changes, including a merger with TACA in 2010, which created AviancaTaca Holding. That same year, the company was acquired by the Synergy Group, a South American holding company specializing in air transport. In 2012, Avianca became an official member of Star Alliance, further expanding its global reach. However, in 2020, the airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and liquidated its subsidiary Avianca Perú.
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Frequently asked questions
Avianca Airlines flies out of the following US airports:
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Houston (IAH)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York City (JFK)
- Ontario (ONT)
- Orlando (MCO)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Tampa (TPA)
- Washington (IAD)
No, Avianca Airlines is Colombia's flag carrier and is headquartered in Bogotá. It is part of Avianca Holdings, which owns many other regional subsidiaries in South and Central America.
The main hub of Avianca Airlines is El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
Avianca Airlines traces its history back to December 5, 1919, in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. It was initially registered under the name SCADTA and became Avianca in 1940. It is the largest airline in Colombia and the second-largest in South America.
Avianca's 787-8 business class is considered one of the best ways to fly to South or Central America from the US. Avianca releases lots of business class award seats, and its product is comfortable enough for long-haul flights.
