Avianca
Avianca guide with airline codes, Bogotá and San Salvador hubs, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in, LifeMiles, lounges and airport transportation.
- Aircraft
- 160
- Destinations
- 80
- Hubs
- BOG, SAL, MDE
- Alliance
- Star Alliance
Landing with Avianca?
Pick your arrival airport. Fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.
About Avianca
Avianca is the flag carrier of Colombia, founded on 5 December 1919 in Barranquilla as SCADTA and headquartered in Bogotá. It belongs to Avianca Group, which is part of Abra Group together with Brazil's GOL. Avianca has been a member of Star Alliance since 2012. Flights are sold under the Avianca brand and operated by the group's airlines, including Avianca El Salvador, Avianca Costa Rica and Avianca Ecuador; your ticket shows which one operates each flight.
Its main hub is Bogotá El Dorado International Airport. San Salvador is the group's hub for Central America, and Medellín is a second base in Colombia, with Avianca Costa Rica based in San José and Avianca Ecuador in Quito and Guayaquil. The network covers more than 80 destinations in over 25 countries in Colombia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States, Canada and Europe.
The fleet of more than 160 aircraft is built around the Airbus A320 family for regional routes and the Boeing 787 for long-haul flights, plus Airbus A330 freighters for Avianca Cargo.
Schedules, aircraft assignments, terminals and fare rules can change. Confirm operational details directly with Avianca before travel.
Where Avianca flies
Routes and frequencies change with the season. Some flights sold with an AV flight number are operated by a group airline or a Star Alliance partner; check the "operated by" line when you book.
Colombia
A domestic network from Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Cartagena, including Barranquilla, Santa Marta, San Andrés and Leticia.
Central America and Mexico
Flights from San Salvador, San José and Bogotá to Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Managua, Panama City, Mexico City and Cancún.
South America and the Caribbean
Routes to cities including Lima, Quito, Guayaquil, Santiago, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo, and to Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, San Juan, Aruba and Curaçao.
United States and Canada
Flights to cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York (JFK), Washington (Dulles), Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, Tampa, Toronto and Montreal.
Europe
Boeing 787 flights from Bogotá to Madrid, Barcelona, London and Paris, plus Madrid from Medellín and Cali, and a seasonal route from San Salvador.
Avianca fleet
Avianca flies Airbus narrow-body jets and Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft. The fleet, including cargo aircraft, was more than 160 aircraft in 2026. The aircraft shown at booking is not guaranteed until departure.
Airbus A320 family
The A319, A320 and A320neo operate domestic flights in Colombia and routes across Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and the United States.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Long-haul flights to Europe and selected high-demand routes, such as Bogotá–New York.
Avianca Cargo
Airbus A330 freighters operated by the group's cargo airline.
Avianca cabin classes
Cabins depend on the aircraft and route. Check the seat map and fare conditions before you buy.
Business (INSIGNIA by Avianca)
On Boeing 787 flights to Europe and selected routes, fully flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access. On selected A320neo routes, business seats have extra legroom and a blocked middle seat.
Extra-legroom seats
Economy seats with more legroom, sold as an upgrade.
Economy
The standard cabin. Carry-on and checked bags, seat selection and changes depend on the fare.
Practical information
BaggageCabin bags, checked bags, missing luggage
Avianca baggage allowances depend on the fare, cabin, route and LifeMiles status.
A personal item that fits under the seat is allowed on all fares. Where the fare includes a carry-on bag, it can measure up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including wheels and handles, and weigh up to 10 kg. Basic fares do not include a carry-on bag.
Some fares include checked bags and others do not. The number of bags and the weight allowed depend on the fare, cabin and route.
Sports equipment, musical instruments, pets and medical equipment follow separate rules. Check the official Avianca baggage page before you fly.
Check-in and boardingSteps before departure
Online check-in on avianca.com or the Avianca app opens 48 hours before departure, or 24 hours before on flights to or from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. It closes 60 minutes before international flights and 45 minutes before domestic flights. Avianca recommends arriving 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights.
Confirm the operating airline, airport and terminal.
Review passport, visa and entry requirements for your destination.
Check in online or in the app as soon as it opens.
Download the mobile boarding pass or print it.
Allow time for bag drop, security and, on international flights, immigration.
Lounges
Avianca operates VIP lounges at Bogotá, including domestic and international lounges at El Dorado, and at other airports in its network such as Medellín. Access depends on cabin, LifeMiles or Star Alliance status, and the itinerary. Check the location and opening hours before you travel.
Loyalty program
LifeMiles is Avianca's loyalty program. Members earn miles on Avianca, Star Alliance and other partner flights, and with partner cards and businesses, and redeem them for flights and upgrades. Program rules change, so check your account for the conditions that apply to your trip.
Flight status and customer serviceOfficial sources
For current operational information, use Avianca's official services:
avianca.com for booking, check-in, trip management and flight status
Available for iOS and Android, with mobile boarding passes and flight notifications
Avianca airports
Avianca connects most of its network through Bogotá, with San Salvador as its connecting point for Central America. Each group airline flies from its own country's base, so check which airport appears on your ticket before you book a transfer.
Avianca's main hub and the base for most of its domestic, international and long-haul flights. Avianca uses Terminal 1 for both domestic and international flights.
Book a transfer →Airport detailsAvianca's second base in Colombia, with domestic routes and international flights to the United States, Central and South America and Madrid.
Book a transfer →Airport detailsAirport transportation for Avianca passengers
Public transport, authorized taxis, shared shuttles or a pre-booked private transfer. Arriving long-haul or with a lot of luggage is the case for booking ahead: fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.
Airport Transportation is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Avianca.
Avianca FAQs
What are Avianca's airline codes?
Avianca's IATA code is AV, its ICAO code is AVA, and its callsign is AVIANCA. Avianca El Salvador also flies with AV flight numbers (ICAO TAI), while Avianca Costa Rica (LR) and Avianca Ecuador (2K) have their own codes.
What is the difference between Avianca, Avianca El Salvador and Avianca Costa Rica?
They are airlines of the same group, sold under the Avianca brand. Each operates from its own country, and your ticket shows which one operates your flight.
What is Avianca's main hub?
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG). San Salvador (SAL) is the hub for Central America, and Medellín (MDE) is a second base in Colombia.
Is Avianca part of Star Alliance?
Yes. Avianca joined Star Alliance in 2012.
What is Avianca's frequent-flyer program?
LifeMiles.
Which terminal does Avianca use in Bogotá?
Avianca uses Terminal 1 at El Dorado International Airport for both domestic and international flights. Confirm on your boarding pass before travel.
Does Avianca fly to Cancún?
Yes. Avianca flies to Cancún from Bogotá and Medellín, and Avianca El Salvador flies there from San Salvador and Guatemala City. Flights use Terminal 2 at Cancún International Airport.
Does Avianca fly to Mexico City?
Yes. Avianca flies to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) from Bogotá and Medellín, Avianca Costa Rica from San José, and Avianca El Salvador from San Salvador. All use Terminal 1.
Does Avianca fly to Punta Cana?
Yes. Avianca flies to Punta Cana International Airport from Bogotá.
When does Avianca check-in open?
Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure, or 24 hours before on flights to or from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. It closes 60 minutes before international flights and 45 minutes before domestic flights.
How big can my Avianca carry-on be?
Where your fare includes a carry-on bag, it can measure up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including wheels and handles, and weigh up to 10 kg. Basic fares include only a personal item that fits under the seat.
Is Airport Transportation affiliated with Avianca?
No. Airport Transportation is an independent transportation-booking platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Avianca.
Information reviewed in October 2026. Airline schedules, fleet figures, baggage rules and passenger services are subject to change.