Avianca: your traveler's guide to Colombia and the Americas

Everything for an Avianca trip in one place: the Bogotá hub and its routes, fares from Basic to Business, baggage, check-in and LifeMiles, plus how to reach Avianca directly or get help from a live BargainAirTicket agent, 24/7 in English and Spanish.

BargainAirTicket is an independent travel agency. We are not Avianca and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Avianca. This guide is for information only. You can manage your booking yourself at avianca.com at no cost. If you'd rather we handle it, our agents assist for a service fee, quoted before you're charged.

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About Avianca

A quick profile of the carrier.

Tracing its history to 1919, Avianca is Colombia's flag carrier and the oldest airline in the Americas. From its base in Bogotá it links Colombia's cities with North, Central and South America and Madrid, usually on a single connection. Avianca is a member of the Star Alliance global network and runs the LifeMiles loyalty program, built around its hubs at Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) and San Salvador (SAL).

Founded

1919

Alliance

Star Alliance

Loyalty

LifeMiles

Main hub

Bogotá (BOG)

Hubs & route network

Where the airline is based and where it flies.

Avianca is built around Bogotá, with San Salvador as a second connecting point. These cities are frequent origins and destinations on the routes we book:

BOG

Bogotá El Dorado

Main hub

SAL

San Salvador

Second hub

MDE

Medellín

Key destination

MIA

Miami

Key destination

LIM

Lima

Key destination

MAD

Madrid

Key destination

Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) is Avianca's main hub and the reason the airline can connect so much of Colombia and the continent on one stop, with San Salvador (SAL) anchoring the network to the north. Most Avianca journeys route through one of these two points.

Avianca route network

Schematic of the airline's main hubs and popular routes we book, not to scale. For the full current network, see avianca.com.

Popular routes we book

Call for phone-only fares.

Miami → Bogotá MIA-BOGCall for fare Bogotá → Lima BOG-LIMCall for fare Bogotá → Madrid BOG-MADCall for fare New York → Bogotá JFK-BOGCall for fare

Fares & cabins, what's included

Avianca's branded economy fares, from the lowest up, plus Business. Exact inclusions vary by route and aircraft.

Basic

The lowest, most restricted fare. It includes a personal item only, so a carry-on and any checked bag are bought separately, and it is not refundable and not changeable. Best only when price is all that matters.

Light

A step up from Basic with a little more included, still on the restricted end for changes and refunds. Confirm what your route includes before you fly.

Classic

The standard economy experience, with a carry-on and a checked bag and standard flexibility, earning full LifeMiles.

Flex

The most flexible economy fare, with changes and a refund available before the flight and free seat selection.

Business

Business Classic is the entry into Avianca's Business cabin, and Business Flex is the fully flexible Business fare with the widest change and refund options and the most generous allowances.

Not sure which fare fits your trip and budget? An agent can compare them for you on the call.

Not sure which fare or route is best?

Tell an agent your dates and we'll find the right option, plus phone-only fares across 500+ airlines.

Call +1 (833) 667-2918

Baggage, the essentials

General guidance. Your exact allowance depends on your fare, route and LifeMiles status.

Carry-on:

Carry-on is 10 kg and up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm. Basic includes a personal item only, so the carry-on must be purchased on that fare. A passenger arriving on Basic with a carry-on is charged at the gate.

Checked bags:

Checked bags are up to 23 kg (50 lb) in economy and 32 kg (70 lb) in Business, up to 158 linear cm. The included allowance rises with the fare, and Basic may include none.

Overweight / oversize / special items:

Overweight and oversize are accepted up to 230 linear cm and 99 lb for a fee, though flights to and from Europe cap each piece at 70 lb. Cheaper arranged in advance than at the airport.

We can confirm your exact allowance and pre-pay bags for you, just call.

Check-in & boarding

How to be ready on the day.

Avianca online check-in on avianca.com and the Avianca app generally opens 24 hours before departure and closes shortly before the flight. Airport bag-drop and boarding cutoffs vary by airport; because many Avianca trips are international, allow extra time for documents and security.

Boarding is done in groups, and higher fares, Business and LifeMiles elite status board earlier. If you connect through Bogotá, know your gate and connection time, and remember an international to domestic connection means clearing immigration and rechecking your bag.

LifeMiles loyalty program

The airline's frequent-flyer program.

LifeMiles is Avianca's own loyalty program, and as a Star Alliance member Avianca lets you earn and redeem across dozens of partner airlines worldwide for flights and upgrades. Higher elite status unlocks priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage and lounge access on eligible fares. If you have a LifeMiles number, give it to us when booking and we will add it to your reservation.

Avianca: frequently asked

Quick answers, call us for anything specific to your booking.

How do I change or cancel my Avianca flight?+

It depends on your fare. Flex and Business Flex are the most flexible, with changes and a refund before the flight; Basic, Light, Classic and Business Classic are not refundable, and changes on them are a paid add-on. Tickets issued in the US may qualify for a 24-hour risk-free cancellation when departure is 7 or more days away. Have your reservation code ready and call us, or manage it at avianca.com.

What happens if Avianca cancels or delays my flight?+

You are generally offered rebooking on the next available flight or a refund, and on Colombia-departing flights Avianca's own care thresholds and compensation can apply by the length of the delay. Because many Avianca trips connect through Bogotá, a disruption can affect your connection, so call us right away and we will re-route you.

Can my child fly alone on Avianca?+

No. Avianca does not offer an unaccompanied-minor or recommended-minor service on any route. A passenger aged 14 or younger must travel with a parent or a responsible adult over 18, and a traveler may fly alone only from age 15. This is Avianca's single most important rule for families, so read our minors guide before you book.

What is LifeMiles and does Star Alliance count?+

LifeMiles is Avianca's frequent-flyer program. As a Star Alliance member, Avianca lets you earn and redeem miles across the alliance's global partners. Give us your LifeMiles number when booking and we will add it to your reservation.