Avianca to resume flights from London and Frankfurt!

getting better says on Dec 4, 2007, 10:22:

Sorry try this:
http://www.eltiempo.com/economia/2007-12-04/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

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kalder says on Dec 4, 2007, 11:50:

Well I hope it does happen. But BA ran the London-Bogota flight for years at a loss. They could fill the Economy class seats all right, but not the Business class. I wonder how Avianca has crunched the numbers.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Ctg Bound says on Dec 4, 2007, 13:59:

kalder, BA flew via Caracas which was a pain in the ass, as Caracas never managed to make it a short stop, twice I was on BA aircraft that were going to take off and were called back, because they wanted another bit of paperwork.

Avianca used to fly direct from London, but stopped in 2001, hopefully with more Europeans visiting Colombia for holidays, more Colombians living in the UK and the Colombian econmy doing bettrer, the service will pay off.

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ingles says on Dec 4, 2007, 14:10:

I emailed Avianca this afternoon for further info and they responded:
"Gracias por contactarnos.
Le invitamos a que continúe visitando nuestra página.

Lamento informarle que la ruta aun no ha sido habilitada, lo invitamos a estar consultando nuestra pagina www.avianca.com.


Cordial Saludo,
Soporte Gestión Clientes
Call Center Servicios
Avianca"

So it doesn't seem to be in place yet. Maybe they have got permission for the route and now need to do the maths. I hope this happens as the prices from Air France are extortionate now. If there was a bit of competition in europe going to Colombia an airline could make this a good profitable route.

Current best deals seem to go through USA.

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getting better says on Dec 4, 2007, 15:44:

Yes I organise visits for quite a lot of tourists from Europe and it is difficult to recommend them to go by Paris and pay through the nose (and risk strikes of which they dont tell you about the risk), go via Iberia and risk missing the connections in the general chaos in Madrid, or go via the US and get treated like a criminal by US immigration, as the US doesnt understand transit. Most people seem to prefer to via the US as they are prepared to put up with it if it saves £150 on a return flight, though if was only £100 they prefer to save the hassle.

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Dolfi says on Dec 5, 2007, 01:00:

When we where looking for a flight to Colombia earlier this year I saw that American Airlines is about 150 € cheaper than the other companies, but I was told that my colombian wife would need a visa even to change plane in Miami (without leaving the airport). So I phoned the US embassy in berlin and they confirmed that this was true. The visa costs 80 € and one has to got to the embassy in Berlin for an interview. That makes about 200 € all in all (including trip to Berlin and back).

So we are going with Air France via Paris. Kiss my arse, USA

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suizo says on Dec 5, 2007, 02:05:

Flying from Europe to Colombia via the US is usually 200-300$ cheaper. BUT: have you checked what aircrafts they use to fly you over the atlantic ocean: 757s, 767 and other crappy small airplanes...and then the hassle with US immigration (not always of course...). Pay a little more and go Air France... Iberia sucks big time, by the way...

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Dec 5, 2007, 02:13:

suizo I usually flight via the USA and the aircrafts they use are the 777 AND from the USA to Bogotá they use the smaller ones.

Last Christmas I flew with BA and they normally use the 747 and from Miami to Bogota with AA they use the 757 or 767

I have flown via Atlanta, Paris, Madrid, Houston, Newark, but my favorite of all those trips and connection, is with BA via Miami, it is The most comfortable, BA is an excellent airline and the departing and arriving hours suits me extremely well

engage brain before opening mouth

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 5, 2007, 02:26:

I've flown via Frankfurt (Avianca), London (BA), Miami (different carriers), Madrid, Iberia, Paris (Air France) and I had the best flights either with Avianca from Frankfurt or BA from London. (The first leg I always almost fly with SAS)

I'd say that gettin_better has summarized the inconvenients for us who fly from and to Europe pretty accuratetely. I don't need a visa for USA but I hate Miami Airport and would rather avoid the additional hassle even if ut saved me a little.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Dec 5, 2007, 02:36:

Desi I think it depend the hour you arrive to Miami Airport, when I got there, the emigration hall was very quiet, i did my emigration very quickly, found the people very polite... actually it was one of the faster emigration I have done hehhe, And of course the luxury of my bags flying all the way from London to Bogotá.

On the way back you have to pick your luggage in Miami, but BA was so efficient they were there, near by and it was complete hassle free.

The Inflight entertainment it's very good, kids were busy watching film all the way, no repetitions like many airlines do and many channels to choose from and the food to me it's the best of all the airline i have flown with.

engage brain before opening mouth

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suizo says on Dec 5, 2007, 02:43:

ok kat1...then I'm looking forward to my next trip via US...BECAUSE: I need to go back to MIAMI anyways!!! So let's hope you're right with the 777.

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ingles says on Dec 5, 2007, 12:06:

We've had this on an earlier thread but how do people book flights from UK to Colombia - internet? ANy special agencies in London that have good deals? I am getting brassed off with Air France - already up to £800 for 2 weeks in March via expedia and booking direct with Air France is £1000 .

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cedritos says on Dec 6, 2007, 05:20:

Try www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk I've used them for Continental tickets-they were cheaper than the Continental website.

I've heard that the Avianca London->Bogota flights may not start up until next autumn, but that's not confirmed.

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Ctg Bound says on Dec 7, 2007, 11:49:

I read this week that Continental are planning on expanding their flights to Colombia.

Even better, Delta is going to fly to Medellin & Cali from Atlanta, which will be another good option.

As they presently fly London-Atlanta-Bogota, so will be handy for anybody living in those two Cities from the UK and Europe.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Dec 7, 2007, 11:59:

I've done that trip Ctg Bound, too long and i am not very keen in Continental, but beggars can't be choosers :(((

engage brain before opening mouth

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Dec 7, 2007, 11:59:

BA please come back!!!!!!

engage brain before opening mouth

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toneloc24 says on Dec 7, 2007, 12:16:

Kat1 - Delta will also be starting a JFK to BOG flight. So you'll have another way to get to Bogota via connection.

Good luck on the direct flights. I personally hate connections.

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

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ronald1168 says on Dec 25, 2007, 07:33:

Great news but i hope that BA is coming back on this route soon, It is going to be a very profitable route for Avianca.

ronald@donders.co.uk

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cedritos says on Feb 6, 2008, 04:27:

probable start in the summer

http://www.alternativeairlines.com/aa/news.cfm?ccs=214&cs=2064

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kalder says on Feb 6, 2008, 09:33:

I'd like to think so, but there's no mention of it on their UK website.

What I'd like to see is Stansted to Cali. Ryanair. Bring my own sandwiches.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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cedritos says on May 12, 2008, 10:23:

Spotted this today (Avianca deciding between Frankfurt and London)............

http://www.alternativeairlines.com/aa/news.cfm?ccs=214&cs=2607&highlig... london

Interestingly, Avianca's UK site is hosted by alternative airlines.

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kalder says on May 12, 2008, 12:21:

Here's hoping it'll be London...

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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cedritos says on Jun 6, 2008, 01:03:

From Avianca UK yesterday...........

"Avianca are planning to introduce flights from either London or Frankfurt
sometime at the beginning of next year but we are not sure which route will
start first."

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cedritos says on Jul 11, 2008, 09:42:

Looks like 2009 due to current high fuel costs

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