Avianca, the leading airline in Colombia, Ecuador and Central America, has a fleet of 189 aircraft with the latest technology and safety features, serving 29 million passengers to more than 108 destinations in 191 countries and 1,300 airports around the world. One of its strong points, punctuality, won first place in the “Global Airlines” category in the study conducted by the specialised consultancy Cirium in 2023.
The origins of Avianca can be traced back to 1919, when the Sociedad Colombo Alemana de Transportes Aéreos (Scadta) was founded in Barranquilla. The pages of its history began to be written that same year with the first flight between Barranquilla and Puerto Berrío that transported a load of mail containing a thousand letters. In the early 1920s he made the first official flight from Barranquilla to Girardot with the Junkers F-13 “Colombia” seaplane, in 1923 he transported a shipment of gold and paper from Puerto Berrío to Girardot to save Colombia from bankruptcy. and in 1928 he started the first international route between Barranquilla and Guayaquil.
Other notable events that took place in the 20th century were the birth of Aerovías Nacionales de Colombia S.A. (Avianca) in 1939, following the merger of Scadta and Servicio Aéreo Colombiano (Saco). In 1946, cabin attendants, now flight attendants, began serving food, giving first aid and handing out cotton wool or chewing gum. In 1951 the Lockheed l-749 Constellation joins the fleet, consolidates long-range routes and starts operating the first pressurised aircraft the airline ever operated. A year later, he introduced the Red Frog service on Lockheed Constellation aircraft, renowned for the in-flight food and the cabin crew uniform, one of the airline’s most recognisable emblems. In the 1970s, in 1976 to be precise, it began demonstration flights within Colombia with the Boeing 747 “Jumbo”, the largest aircraft in the world, and in 1992 it launched the Avianca Plus programme to reward passenger loyalty.
Some highlights of the 21st century came in 2011 when LifeMiles, the combination of Avianca Plus and Taca’s Distancia frequent flyer programmes, was launched. In 2012 Avianca became an official member of StarAlliance, the world’s leading global airline network. A year later, it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the name AVH, the third Colombian-owned company to do so. Avianca Holdings exceeds 30 million passengers per year in 2019 for the first time ever. In 2021 it launches the IATA Travel Pass, the first airline in South America to do so. In 2023, for the first time in its long history, it announces the graduation of the first all-female pilot course. and launches a scholarship programme for female pilots in Colombia.
Avianca Insignia, the new Business Class concept
The Executive Cabin, on its twin-aisle (Boing 787) and single-aisle (A320) aircraft operating routes to and from Europe, has become known as Avianca Insignia. Luxury, comfort and exclusivity take the on-board experience to new heights. At the heart of Avianca Insignia are flat-bed seats, reclining up to 180 degrees to ensure a restful sleep, plus more space and privacy. Passengers are greeted with a welcome drink, and throughout the flight can enjoy a menu with starters, breakfast, lunch or dinner options with dessert, unlimited snacks and an interesting selection of spirits, hot and cold drinks. The Colombian company’s new proposal is completed with comfort elements such as blankets, mattress covers and an amenity kit with collectible cases designed by Mola Sasa that promote sustainability and inclusion, as they are made from recycled PET bottle fabric in collaboration with the Gunadule indigenous community. And to ensure well-being during the flight, Southern Lotus formulations, a brand of luxury products that celebrates and captures the rich culture of Colombia.
Gastronomy has also taken a qualitative leap forward with a menu created by chefs Álvaro Clavijo and Catalina Vélez, renowned chefs whose work has been recognised at The Best Chef Awards. Available on all flights from Bogotá to Europe, the Avianca Insignia menu, which has recently been included among the best in the world, is a platform highlighting the flavours of Colombia and Latin America, made with the highest quality local ingredients and haute cuisine techniques.
Each seat is equipped with an integrated 16-inch screen, providing access to the latest in-flight entertainment. Known as Avianca On Air, it was recognised as Best In-flight Entertainment in Latin America at the 2019 Kayak Best Airline Awards, being one of the most modern entertainment systems in the world with a varied offering of current and classic movies, books and games, as well as documentaries, music, TV series and current affairs programmes. In addition, the system always has an updated version of the RCN news programme so that passengers are constantly informed of news from Colombia and the rest of the world.
LifeMiles, Latin America's most awarded loyalty programme
Avianca’s loyalty programme has more than 12.4 million members worldwide and 200 partner brands in different categories. With this award-winning programme, passengers can earn miles when travelling with Avianca and the twenty-six StarAlliance airlines, as well as other airline partners. Frequent flyers can access Elite status to enjoy preferential benefits and earn miles by using a LifeMiles credit card or shopping at one of the partner merchants in four countries in the region. With the programme you can exchange miles for travel to more than 1,500 destinations worldwide, hotel nights, car hire and shopping. In addition, miles can be transferred or donated to social causes.
With fourteen Freddie Awards and three Frequent Flyer Awards, it is the only Latin American programme to be recognised worldwide by the industry. Last year it won first place in the Best Frequent Flyer Program 2023 USA Today Reader’s Choice awarded by the prestigious North American media USA Today, being the only Latin American programme nominated and beating airline loyalty programmes from countries such as the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Sustainability and Accessibility
Avianca is very clear that sustainability must be built on clear actions and commitments that must have a positive impact on the planet, society and the company’s strategic objectives.
This commitment to the planet to create a more sustainable future has led them to implement a strong environmental strategy. Thanks to twenty-four fleet management initiatives and the rigorous efforts of its pilots and crew to optimise and conserve fuel, they managed to avoid the emission of 71,256 tonnes of CO2 in 2023. In addition to this, the fleet has been renewed with the addition of the A320 NEO, which can achieve fuel savings of 20% and a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions. This objective is reinforced by the reconfiguration of one hundred and three of its aircraft, which has led to a 15.35% reduction in emissions per person.
Through their actions they also seek a social impact that translates into support for social organisations committed to providing opportunities and changing the lives of vulnerable communities, as well as the fight against human trafficking, the purchase and use of local, artisanal and/or sustainable elements, circular economy projects that have a direct impact on vulnerable populations, initiatives to generate inclusive employment, and the hiring of suppliers and emerging and inclusive entrepreneurs, and a policy to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.
The sky belongs to everyone, no exceptions! With this premise in mind, Avianca has set out so that every user, regardless of their condition, can enjoy travelling the skies of the world. To achieve this, they identify and minimise barriers so that users with any type of disability can travel in an optimal way, generating confidence and training their more than fourteen thousand employees on basic concepts of disability, mobility aids and what it is like to travel in a wheelchair. Accessibility is also offered in the digital experience, by continuously reviewing your website to ensure it meets accessibility criteria and to make the processes simple and practical.
