Avianca Expands Business Class Service to 23 Destinations
Avianca's passengers will have access to Business Class on 34 routes operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in the Americas
Photo: New Premium seats onboard Avianca's Airbus A320 fleet. Courtesy of Avianca
Avianca, the Colombian flag carrier, is enhancing its in-flight experience by introducing an updated Business Class service across the Americas to 23 additional routes in December, setting a new standard for comfort and service on its Airbus A320 fleet.
Avianca’s distinctive Business Class Americas product offers a fresh take on premium air travel within the continent, now available across 34 destinations served with the narrowbody A320 aircraft.
Photo: Courtesy of Avianca
With access to the first three rows of the aircraft, passengers can enjoy spacious reclining seats with adjustable headrests, ample legroom, and charging ports.
Coupled with complimentary meals, beverages, and the airline’s take on inflight entertainment, Avianca On Air—accessible from personal devices—this revamped class provides an upgraded flying experience.
“The expansion of Business Class availability across the Americas strengthens the positioning of this experience, which is built on a commitment to delivering high-quality service in every detail,” explains Catalina Nannig, Avianca’s Vice President of Sales. She emphasized that the airline focuses on delivering exceptional journeys, referencing the onboard menu curated by renowned Colombian chef Álvaro Clavijo on select flights departing from Bogotá.
Starting in December, passengers can experience this enhanced service on new routes, such as San Salvador to Los Angeles, New York, and Mexico City. The expansion also includes routes between Medellín and major cities like São Paulo and Buenos Aires and flights from Bogotá to destinations including Montreal, Chicago, and Fort Lauderdale.
| From | To |
|---|---|
| Bogotá | Toronto, Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Mexico City, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires (Ezeiza), Montreal, Chicago, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Panama City, Lima, Georgetown, Asunción, Buenos Aires (Aeroparque) |
| San Salvador | Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., Mexico City, Panama City, Medellín, Bogotá, Lima |
| Medellín | New York, Lima, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile |
What Business Class Americas Offers
Alongside comfortable seating, Avianca’s business class passengers can enjoy a range of perks designed to elevate their experience. Meals tailored to the time of day—whether lunch, dinner, breakfast, or snacks—are complemented by a selection of desserts and beverages.
Photo: Courtesy of Avianca
The business class fare also includes a generous baggage allowance: one personal item, a 10 kg carry-on, and two checked bags of up to 32 kg each. Other benefits include priority boarding, access to Avianca and Star Alliance partner lounges, flight flexibility, and earning LifeMiles at a rate of 7 miles per dollar spent.
A Hybrid Model: Efficiency Meets Comfort
Looking back at Avianca’s recent history reveals a dramatic transformation. After emerging from bankruptcy in 2021, the airline adopted a hybrid business model, blending elements of a low-cost carrier with the premium service its loyal customers had come to expect.
This shift saw the introduction of more competitive fares, additional charges for certain services, and a reconfiguration of its Airbus A320 fleet to accommodate more passengers.
Photo: Courtesy of Avianca
The retrofit involved installing 180 Recaro seats on each narrowbody aircraft—a 20 percent increase in capacity—across three classes: Premium, Plus, and Economy.
The Premium seats in the first few rows offer extra space, USB ports, and greater recline, while Plus seats, located between rows 4 and 14, feature adjustable headrests and device stands.
Economy seats, though more compact, still provide USB ports and integrated stands for personal devices. The overhaul also made use of Airbus’s SpaceFlex design, optimizing space in the aircraft’s rear to fit more seating while maintaining essential facilities.
Photo: New Economy Class seats onboard Avianca’s Airbus A320 fleet. Courtesy of Avianca
Adrian Neuhauser, Avianca’s former president and CEO, celebrated the reconfiguration in July 2023, stating, “Without a doubt, the reconfiguration of our fleet makes us more efficient and competitive, brings us ever closer to what we set out in our business plan, and also leads us to achieve the goal of being an Avianca for everyone.”
Neuhauser’s vision reflects the airline’s efforts to cater to both budget-conscious travelers and those seeking premium services, all while enhancing operational efficiency.
Business Class Reborn
Avianca’s decision to bring back business class on certain routes marks a reversal of its previous strategy. In 2022, the airline had eliminated business class service on most flights within the Americas, retaining it only for flights to Europe onboard its Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A330s.
Photo: Business Class, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Courtesy of Avianca
However, customer demand led to the reinstatement of business class on select long-haul routes, including flights from Bogotá to Los Angeles, Miami, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires.
Manuel Ambriz, Avianca’s Chief Commercial Officer at the time, acknowledged the change, saying, “Our customers have been asking us for this class for medium-range routes… today we listened to them and made internal adjustments so that they can also purchase and enjoy Business Class with all its benefits.”
What Lies Ahead?
Avianca’s ongoing evolution raises a critical question: can the airline maintain its reputation for premium service while adapting to the low-cost carrier model? With the introduction of Business Class Americas across more routes and the continued investment in customer experience, Avianca seems determined to bridge the gap between efficiency and luxury.
The airline’s rebranding replaces its logo’s uppercase “A” with a lowercase “a.” / Photo: Courtesy of Avianca
In an era where airlines must constantly innovate to stay competitive, Avianca’s hybrid model could offer a blueprint for the future of air travel in Latin America and beyond. However, only time will tell whether this balancing act can meet the high expectations of a diverse and demanding customer base.
