Avianca Baggage to Barranquilla

elmodefoque says on Feb 3, 2006, 13:26:

i was told la misma vaina! but they said it was only a possibilty and i get to chose which one i get at my arrival. the maleta with all my brown streak underwear cound arrive 2 days even 2 years late.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

Miguel says on Feb 3, 2006, 13:48:

strata2 Maybe you should repack; this trip I am only taking one maleta; and elmodofoque, I thought you did not own underwear.

juanalejo says on Feb 3, 2006, 13:56:

Luggage After learning the hard way (Delta horrendous service but that is another story), and after finding for answers for lost or late bags, I was told by Continental officials that there is no physical possibility that two bags per pax can fit in the plane. So the airlines just play it by ear and hope that not everyone carries two bags. Avianca has adopted an honest policy by telling passengers in advance that this possibly could happen so you are prepared for it and plan to pack each bag accordingly.

harocha says on Feb 3, 2006, 14:04:

My Experience 12/05 I was told the same thing by AVIANCA so I asked to speak with a manager and he told me that I get to pick the one I want to be deliver on my apartment in El Rodadero due to I asked for, I wasn't going to pay a private Express car to go and pick up my suitcase at the Airport 2 days later, so I asked them for my suitcase on my apartment door or my money back with interest and they ovbiusly pick the first option, so I got my suitcase next morning first thing.

I wrote down the manager's name and told him that if I was missing my suitcase or anything on it AVIANCA and him were 100% responsable with interest for the delay.

They also told me that they do these things in the high seasons, meaning X-mas season, Carnaval season, Holly Week Season, etc.

Have a good one!

juanalejo says on Feb 3, 2006, 14:10:

Harocha Good for you, the only answer I got from Delta was I am so sorry, I am so sorry, please write a letter to the manager. And we had to go to the airport to pick up the bag. Same with Continental although the staff were 100% better than Delta, still had to go and pick up the bags.

harocha says on Feb 3, 2006, 14:28:

Tinto The policy about 1 suitcase arrives with you and the other one 48 hours later is just for Barranquilla International Airport, due to the planes are smaller from what i was told and the most important reason is that high seasons affect directly this airport more than any other in the rest of the country, remember Bogota does not have a Caribean Sea, does not have life music on the street and does not have a Carnaval.

To Juanalejo, I used Continental Airlines last december 27, 2005 to go to Miami and once I was there took an AVIANCA flight, and the year before that one I used Delta with the same itinerary and neither of them told me anything about my two suitcases, so I am assuming that again, Barranquilla in a high season makes a big difference on the policies.

Have a good one!

juanalejo says on Feb 3, 2006, 14:33:

Tinto It was not me on the plane, it was some American family and American friends. The Delta group was left behind two days in Atlanta (over booking) on the way down, and then two days on the way back (second day due to plane technical problems which is not really their fault). Plus the bags did not arrive but a couple of days later. Delta´s problems seemed so bad (with a terrible service by their staff) that they made it to the news on both TV and radio here in Colombia. Continental simply left the bags behind one day, and they could not deliver according to them because customs would not allow it. Yet it was Continental staff (which were really nice) those that told me that in a 737 with over 100 seats they could only fit 150 bags. So if everybody brings two bags, 50 are left behind. I was even told that all airlines have deals with the cargo planes that take the flowers abroad, to bring the bags that are left behind back. So I guess I find it quite honest on behalf of Avianca (of which has made an 180 degree turn with the new owners) to warn you in advance.

juanalejo says on Feb 3, 2006, 14:40:

48 hours According to Delta staff 48 hours are needed because if you plane left today without your bags, your bags will be delivered to Miami the following day and they will board a cargo aircraft that following night to be delivered to Delta in Bogota two days later. Continental told me that we had been lucky to get the bags the following day because the bags made it in time for a Tampa cargo flight that following morning. But then who knows?

Gator says on Feb 3, 2006, 14:52:

In All The Years Of.... flying Avianca this has only happened twice and not for several years.
Both time the second bag was delivered the next day by taxi at no charge everything intact. Once from the USA and once Bogotá/Cartagena

"Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

b bruce says on Feb 3, 2006, 22:31:

I was Amazed! My last trip Miami to Barranquilla on Avianca was on a MD-80. I carried my three day backpack when totally stuffed is enough clothing for a week plus all by books, cd player and cd's. It fits perfectly in the overhead (carry on luggage) Then I checked a large box full of gifts at the ticket counter which I really did not expect to see again. But when we arrived in BAQ and cleared customs I was amazed to see the Avianca supervisors accounting for each and every bag with a check list as it was placed on the baggage belt. I have worked in the U.S. airline industry for nine years and have never witnessed anything like that. I was impressed. And by box arrived!!!
I would find a nice backpack to carry essentials in as a carry on that will fit in the overhead then check one very large piece of luggage. Viva Colombia!

miamimike says on Feb 3, 2006, 23:46:

Avianca-Worst Airline in The History Of Aviation !! One has to wonder why tolerate such Bad Service; evidently they like Abuse! Pst Comments on Avianca:

"Peter I am with You on AA
They cost a little more(sometimes a $100-$200)per trip but have rarely let me down. They almost arrive and depart on time and Passenger standards are applied equally. No preferences or favortism shown on AA to any one group of passengers..Unlike Avianca and a few airlines that fly to SOuth America. Used Avainca twice and it was the most inefficient airline I ever saw anywhere anytime in worldwide travel over 35 years.The Worst.

By miamimike at Wed, 06/22/2005 - 18:28 | reply
Tienes razon Miamimike
The absolute worst. It looks like their offer to make up for their F~ck up back in January is to upgrade me to business class on the upcoming trip. The fact that they admitted they blew it last time on my departure date and then charged me a c-note to change my ticket is just not something that can translate from the admission to a refund.

By Miguel at Wed, 06/22/2005 - 18:35 | reply
Miguel, on my first experience with Avianca, when Colombian
Passengers went to the Aisle and Kneeled, upon touching down on the Tarmac of Bogota's El Dorado Airport and blessed themselves and started praying, should have been my First Tipoff maybe this Airline was not the Carrier for me.And this first impression in this case was Spot-On.It left 30 minutes late for starters, of course it arrived way late behind schedule. Missed the Airport touch down on the 1st landing attempt. They circled and got the landing right(not too gentle though)the 2nd time. Not Confidence inspiring at any rate. On the return, left like 10--15 Colombian Pasengers at the Airport heading back to Miami.Colombian Security had to physically restrain one very Irate Colombiano who broke thru security and entered the plane-saw like 60 empty seats and he could have been in one of them. Plane left 2 hours late. I thought, well give them a chance anyone can make a mistake. I used them 4 months later-for the last time.Left late again-30-45 minutes and then detoured to Maricabo, Venezuela(????) for a "Cleaning and sanitizing" more??????'s) Well the crew dropped the Nose and unbolted a big electrical component-2-3 hours stuck in that Hot reeking of Oil smelly Maricabo airport we reboarded again.On the return Leg, they lost my Luggage and Luggage Carrier--two days late. The Airline arrived in Miami as usual-30-45 minutes late. That was strike two. Never was a 3rd and final time. Bothers me to see all those Folks on their Knees praying in the Aisle Thanking God they made it safely to Colombia. No Mas!

By miamimike at Wed, 06/22/2005 - 20:24 | edit | reply
Avianca is a traitor to its people
I have never seen an airline that humiliated and robbed it's own people like Avianca, Avianca you suck.
AA is big time on my fecal list, one time they lost my luggage coming from MIA to Curacao, got it the next day, they opened it and they took their time and stole my loved REVO sunglases, even my perfume, brand new BLAU car CD player,even pair of new NB sneakers, about 20 DVD-R's, and ten they tell me he all we can do is give you a voucher for $175 and I have to use it within a year. I lost the voucher cause I didn't use it in a year because I didn't want to get burglarized again by American.

By lockheed at Thu, 06/23/2005 - 00:14 | reply
Too funny Miami..(praying in the aisle!) ja, ja..
I do remember flying avianca within COL, and people would clap when the planed touch down. Is this a COL custom? Clapping i mean, i wonder if this happens on the other COL domestic airline.

knock on wood, i haven't had problems w/ AA YET, but i've also never check luggage, especially for flights that have connections. I think all airlins have lugguge problems.

By caslug

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

carlossimon says on Feb 4, 2006, 11:48:

Avianca Virgin I have read the preceding posts and must count myself as one of the lucky ones? I flew Miami to Barranquilla (returning Tuesday past) with Avianca and the service seemed fine to me, maybe beginners luck as it was my first trip to Colombia, glad i went, many questions answered. It wasn't the planes but the roads that scared me most...