Avianca-ed Again

fosth says on Jun 10, 2005, 01:29:

Following reply's to my post i thought buying from them would be fine.
Not so sure now!!!

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rona says on Jun 10, 2005, 07:23:

my early experiences w/Avianca have led me to . . . . . . avoid them like the plague - no wonder they're owned by a Brazilian outfit now - we can't even run our own airline!!! American, Continental or COPA is the way to go

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juanalejo says on Jun 10, 2005, 07:31:

American???????? I agree with Continental and even Copa, I will ride Avianca a thousand times before jumping inside American. They are the most unreliable, rude people in the world.

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rona says on Jun 10, 2005, 07:37:

juanalejo really? I've never had a problem w/ AA . . . I've flown AA from MIA-BOG without any incident - I flew into BAQ o few years ago on AA and found it to be uneventful but not bad . . . I'm curious to know what happened in your case, maybe it was an isolated incident

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Neonovo says on Jun 10, 2005, 08:13:

Avianca again, I'm Bogotá-bound last Sat of this month... I just racked up another week of vacation, so I'm Bogotá-bound.

You all spooked me, so I checked, and all is well. They charged me just what we agreed on...AVIANCA TBMMIA 305-5997279 FL $ 484.15

They did have a great deal for June $374 both-ways, but the whole trip had to be completed in June.

Looks like in Oct there will be another promo at $374

Paz
Neonovo

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toneloc24 says on Jun 10, 2005, 15:29:

Sorry to hear again, Migs!!! Never had a single problem on Avianca, to date. I hope my streak continues. I only fly them within Colombia.

Even with the AA NetSavers, I avoid American like the plague. It is true that they treat Latin American/Caribbean destinations with less respect. I had heard about it for years through my family in their Caribbean travels. But going to/from the DR last year, I personally witnessed it. Verbally abusing normal Dominican passengers without warrant, really poor customer service in coach, cancelled and delayed flights, etc. I'm pretty positive that the flights to Europe do not suffer from these same issues. Passengers should be treated like valued customers, not an obligation.

I'll say this. Delta has really stepped up their service again from Atlanta. It's a good experience, back and forth to Bogota.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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juanalejo says on Jun 10, 2005, 18:20:

American Find the staff incredibly rude, especially ground staff in Miami. Plus Miami airport should be avoided at all costs. I missed a conection one time because flight left late (as usual) and when I arrived after customs the people in charge of receiving connecting bags were according to them "overloaded" with work due to an Austrian tour that had just arrived. I had to queue for more than 1 hour at a drop off point, they said they would not be responsible for my bag. Yes I got some money, yes got on the next flight. But for me money does not talk. I like smiles and good service, not money after being insulted. And I could go on and on. For me the favourite is Continental, but then again I am waiting tonite on somebody from Newark and the plane is 3 hours late, and on a Friday night.

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Miguel says on Jun 11, 2005, 03:52:

Update 1 After 5 phone conversations yesterday with Avianca in both Miami and Medellín, I have been told that my ticket with be re-issued with the lower fare, and that my VISA account will be reimbursed. With regards to the 100 bucks they owe me on the January trip, they said "We will be looking into that". Vamos a ver.

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Miguel says on Jun 21, 2005, 00:11:

Update 2 Avianca finally reimbursed my account with $$ and I received the e-mail confirmation for the ticket. We'll see what or if anything happens with that c-note they still won't cough up.

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Peter Miami says on Jun 22, 2005, 08:02:

American Airlines I travel twice a month almost every month to South American for three years now because of my job, with American Airlines and I very rarely have any problems. I would not say they are the sweetest but they are not bad either and the most important thing is they get me there and back and on time at least 95% of the time.

Peter Miami

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miamimike says on Jun 22, 2005, 11:28:

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.

"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.

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Miguel says on Jun 22, 2005, 11:35:

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.

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miamimike says on Jun 22, 2005, 13:24:

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!

"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.

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lockheed says on Jun 22, 2005, 17:14:

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.

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caslug says on Jun 22, 2005, 18:04:

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.

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sandramoreno80 says on Jun 23, 2005, 03:42:

In have been on Air France, Iberia, Delta, American and British Airways to Bogota and on all of these flights Colombians will clap and cheer when we land at Bogota. Never on the way back to London!

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fosth says on Jun 23, 2005, 06:32:

I don't get it I flew in from Madrid with Iberia into Bog and everyone clapped. A few monhts later flew into Bog from Lima and no one clapped!! Same when i returned to Madrid!! Strange

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fosth says on Jun 23, 2005, 06:34:

Hmmm Just got me thinking for reasons for this. Maybe it's due to safely crossing the Atlantic and returning home in one piece!!
They never clapped on internal flights.

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Peter Miami says on Jun 23, 2005, 07:13:

No Clapping on A.A. No one ever claps on AA From Miami to Cali or Medellin and I go three to four time a year.

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fosth says on Jun 23, 2005, 07:20:

Must be a european thing!

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fosth says on Jun 23, 2005, 07:58:

Well then Back to the original subject. If Avianca are that bad. Anyone know how i can book tickets with Aerorepublica from here in the UK? Their online booking seems quite difficult as they want a contact address and phone# in Bogota and Santa Marta (Where i'm flying). I don't have either apart from a friend in Bog.

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rjstuff says on Jun 23, 2005, 08:02:

Avianca does suck I flew to Barranquilla in February on Delta - they partner with Avianca and my flight/rollercoaster was scheduled like this - Denver to Atlanta, Atlanta to Bogota, Bogota to Barranquilla - There was barely 1.5 hours in Bogota in-between flights, but I was told it was OK. It took me 20 minutes to find out that my baggage had been booked through to Barranquilla AND I didn't have to retrieve it for customs check in Bogota (it still doesn't make sense to me but I guess that's what they do.) I had to go to a ticket window for issuance of a ticket/boarding pass and they shuttled me on a bus and then had me run through the airport to the security check - after that they directed me to a waiting room full of people watching football - I knew I was in the wrong room - after a minute I asked the security people and finally one of them (the 3rd one; the first two ignored my questions) directed me to the room next door and through it on to the plane!
The plane was only a few minutes late but I didn't get my luggage; I and another 40 - 50 others! It was a complete choas and it took about 2 hours to get a damn piece of paper that I was supposed to use to call them the next day and then come and pick up my luggage! (My flight arrived around midnight and I got out of the airport after 2!)
The next day - no one answered the phone on that piece of paper but luckily I had overheard another angry guy talking out loud how f**ed Avainca was and he would just come and collect his luggage at 10.00 when the next flight from Bogota arrives. So, I went back after lunch and after a short time I got my Luggage (the airport people were friendly though a couple of them gave us the wrong directions!)
I was glad it was over - WRONG!
I met a woman who was flying out 3 days before I was and she told me that all flights out of Barranquilla have been changed (I got lucky running into her.) So, I called Avianca - no repsonse - called Delta and found out they don't fly out at 9.45 anymore - the first flight is at 12.40 - so on my return I had to reschedule the flights - Barranquilla-Miami, Miami-Atlanta, Atlanta-Denver. I made sure I had enough time in Miami (3 hrs) as it always takes very long in Miami to get through immigration and customs (its one or the other always!)
I am going to try and stay out of Avainca in my future flights - they are terrible in their scheduling and customer service when you need it!

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 23, 2005, 08:03:

Oh well, yes, those scary Europeans, theyre all nutters!!! who wouldnt clap on the way back to Colombia? :P I have experienced the clapping coming from both the UK via BA and NYC via AA i think. I thought it was quite strange, but then I started pondering...a lot of the people traveling back to Colombia are Colombians who havent been here in years, so ill blame it on emotional bouts rather than saying it is a Colombian thing .

PS: Fosth, How is your spanish? you can book flights at http://www.aerorepublica.com.co. If you need any help just let me know :)

PSs: I totally dislike Avianca, it has always been late, customer service is appalling, I'd rather take a Grupo Taca plane in NYC and wait an hour in Costa Rica....at least Im certain i will be back in Bogota at 2.30 pm.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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fosth says on Jun 23, 2005, 08:12:

Cerealkiller I've been on their site and got to the booking page but as i mentioned above they require an address and phone number in both cities, i have neither, well possibly a friend in Bogota. Normally i'd book at their offices. However i need to be in Santa Marta the day after i arrive in Bogota form the UK. So i'm tryingto organise it before i get there. Might just have to risk booking with Avianca!

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 23, 2005, 08:28:

Fosth I dont think Avianca is going to delay a flight to Santa Marta for more than a couple of hours, they must have about 4 flights a day so I wouldnt worry too much. If you definitely want aerorepublica then I think your hotel number in both bogota and santa marta will suffice...assuming you dont stay at the bogota airport overnight.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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fosth says on Jun 23, 2005, 08:39:

Cerealkiller Yeah good point. Was getting overly concerned. Main reason for wanting to go with Aerorepublica was cost.

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miamimike says on Jun 23, 2005, 10:54:

Caslug, Those Colombians weren't Clapping on my Flight.. they were on their Knees praying, many saying the Lords's Prayer(Our Father)Padre Nuestro, que estas en el Cielo ect.They were happy they made it one piece to Colombia. And they had Good Reason to pray. I ah(ahem) said a little one myself(privately). Good reason because on our Flight into EL Dorado(many pilots say this is a difficult landing)they, the Pilots missed on first landing attempt. I mean we where so close, you could clearly see the field crew on the ground, NO other planes around at that time and all of a sudden the pilot pulled back on the wheel(which brings the plane back up)we circled and 5 minutes later touched down OK. No explanation for this on the Intercom(plane), no explanation on exiting the plane NOTHING!! The people were praying for good reason. No clapping that day! Most Silent Exit I ever saw on any flight I had ever been on-no one said nothing even as they walked into the Airport down that long hallway to Immigration and customs for the showing of the passports.Scary.

"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.

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 23, 2005, 14:39:

Going around is scary? It's the airlines with pilots who consider it an insult to go-around that would scare me!

From the back it's hard to tell why they went around...It could be the pilot screwed up the approach and was coming in too fast to land, the wind could have changed at the last minute (wind shear), or that something came onto the runway just as they were about to touch down.

I'll take pilot willing to go-around and make a good landing over a pilot who tries to salvage a bad landing any day.

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lockheed says on Jun 23, 2005, 15:42:

Crazy4Cali is right El Dorado is not bad for landing, fly your instruments and it will take you to the runway (I think)13 and keep you away from mountains.
El Dorado is demanding on A/C and crew when taking off or during a low weather missed approach. Missed approach procedure is complex.
El Dorado is about (if I remember) 5000-8000 ft high, and this cuts in close to alot of the performance capabilities of the airliners especialy older A/C (DC-9, early MD-80, 737, 727) Then you fully load'em, Pax, Bags, Full fuel, and you are cuting it even closer.
Throw in a warmer then usual day and you better pray those engines don,t even do a hicup, lose an engine it's supose to fly (say's the mannuel) but not in real live.

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Hunter says on Jun 24, 2005, 04:37:

Clapping Been on several differant international airlines that arrive in Colombia, there is always clapping from the Colombians, its because they are happy to be home, it always brings a smile to my face.

I have also never seen clapping going the other way.

Hunter

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fosth says on Jun 24, 2005, 04:41:

I thought that when i first arrived from Madrid, however when i returned from Buenos Aires no one clapper. Is it because they were in another continent and were pleased to be returning to the americas

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lpdiver says on Jun 24, 2005, 11:11:

I have observed Clapping upon landing in Aruba also.

T

"cook some rice!"

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