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Avianca vs. Aires: Thoughts?

Just got online, curious as to what two round trip tickets, Cartagena to Manizales, Dec 7-15, would cost. The verdict:
Avianca = 1200 US dollars.
Aires = 440 US dollars.
Both of these prices were including all taxes, etc.
Gee, I wonder which tickets I should buy?
Any thoughts or other airlines that might get us there?

By Saltador on Nov 24, 2008, 19:03 in Friendly Talkzone.

Saltador says on Nov 24, 2008, 19:04:

Bump.

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Saltador says on Nov 24, 2008, 19:22:

Thanks amigo. I did try 7-14, but Aires did not have a flight, Avianca did and it was the same price. Will check out the Pereira idea...
If I came through Medellin I'd have to stop and hang out with you. Might not make it to Manizales...

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Papi de Alejo says on Nov 24, 2008, 19:22:

My girlfriend and I flew Aires from Cartagena to Cali. We had to change planes in Medellin and each plane made an intermediate stop. The flight was quite pleasant. They used Dash-9 aircraft. I'm used to them from the West Indies. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The stewardess didn't have too much to do as each time she barely finished her run down the aisle, it was time to land. I will definitely fly them again. With the cost differential, if you don't have to get to Manizales in an hour and a half, I'd take Aires. But Avianca will route you through Bogota anyway. Aires wins hands down.

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Saltador says on Nov 24, 2008, 19:26:

I should clarify also that the prices I quoted were for two tickets total, not apiece.

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 24, 2008, 19:30:

Did you get quoted the price in dollars? If so, try to check the website in Spanish and selecting Colombia as your country to see if you see any difference.

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lakbaydiwa says on Nov 24, 2008, 19:45:

Avianca tends to be more expensive but with better service & more flights.
Have you checked Satena/Aerorepublica/ADA/Easyfly?
Also one thing to consider La Nubia the airport in Mzl will easily close because of maltiempo
went through that experience ~2yrs ago with my ex-novia in Mzl.
Consider Ctg to Pereira then take the bus from there to Manizales. Its about a 2 hr bus ride.
Hope that helps.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 25, 2008, 08:01:

$440 for two tickets seems pretty normal. As others have mentioned, the Avianca prices are a lot more expensive when purchased from the US. You would get a much better deal if you can wait and buy Avianca tickets at the airport when you get to Colombia.

EasyFly is not a bad option if they fly that route. They are usually cheaper than most other airlines and sometimes run some outrageous specials. However, you have to buy the tickets in Colombia.

I have purchased tickets through the Aires website from the US(with a US credit card) with no problems. If you do purchase them on the Aires website, it would behoove you to call them up and make sure they verify the credit card transaction. They will normally call you to verify the transaction, but it doesn't hurt to remind them. Even so, I have never had a problem dealing with Aires. In fact, I have even bought tickets for relatives with no problems.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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utopiacowboy says on Nov 25, 2008, 21:00:

Satena flies several times a day from EOH to Bogota. Anyone interested in flights from Olaya Herrera airport should check out: http://www.aeropuertoolayaherrera.gov.co/ppal.php

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Man Tequila says on Nov 25, 2008, 22:42:

These flights booked in Colombia? Makes a huge differece with Avianca... which pisses me off.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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