Which is the Best airline Avianca Or Copa ?

Azul says on Feb 12, 2007, 19:23:

I always here about how awful Avianca is, and how incompetent they are....but I've never had a problem with them and have found their service to be quite good.

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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miamimike says on Feb 12, 2007, 19:32:

Do a search here and you will see the countless problems people have had with Avianca. They cannot even be ranked the truth be told. What can you compare them to??? Late departures and arrivals, overbooking(consistent)Lost Luggage. Show me someone who can actually claim they departed Bogota on time with Verification like a time stamped Video or photo and with a straight face,,,,

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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MedellinViking says on Feb 12, 2007, 19:53:

I'm a Continental/Copa Flyer I have 5 - 6 trips a year California/Housten/Panama/Medellin. I once tried the LAX to Panama but then I have a overnight in LA on the return.

I also have 2 trips a year into Indonesia so I use Continental Micronesia and this keeps all my miles in one account.

If you buy a Presidents Club pass, in Panama and in Houston you have nice clubs with open bars/internet/snacks and a sofa to rest on while passing your layover time.

I have not had any problems with them and they have been very accomodating in ticket changes with me in the Medellin Copa office.

For those who do not like Panama, I say better to hub through Panama than Bogata! Especially with all the new changes in the Panama airport.

Live your fantasies because life is short and from all I've seen death is really, really long....

Live your fantasies because life is short and from all I've seen death is really, really long....

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Gator says on Feb 12, 2007, 20:10:

Those Are The... two we fly. No real problems with either one except the usual airline bull s__t no matter which airline you fly. We terminate in MIA 95% of the time so it's just about even. I do believe the staff and service is better on COPA

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Coqueton says on Feb 12, 2007, 20:25:

I think Avianca is better as the jets seemed newer, the Copa jet from Panama to Cartagena, well reminded me of a flying chiva rumbera but was palatable for 30 minutes. And no vallenato band on board

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Monpirri says on Feb 12, 2007, 20:48:

Mario I think American Airlines is better

"Anyone who still thinks that Colombia is not a gastronomical paradise needs to have their head examined." Darloup

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scotty says on Feb 12, 2007, 21:28:

Avianca bad Avianca is a terrible airline. I have flown with Avianca twice and both times were a mess. Last time I flew with them they left me sitting in the Bogota airport for 6 hours.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Monpirri says on Feb 12, 2007, 21:32:

Mario I really think American Airlines is much better.

"Anyone who still thinks that Colombia is not a gastronomical paradise needs to have their head examined." Darloup

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goin_south says on Feb 12, 2007, 21:50:

monpirri... Is that....'American Airlines', or is it....'Gringo Airlandio'?

Paz y prosperidad para Colombia.

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Monpirri says on Feb 12, 2007, 22:07:

Ooops I do not know...maybe is Gringo Airlines, they land and take off from the largest airport hub in the world, Houston.

"Anyone who still thinks that Colombia is not a gastronomical paradise needs to have their head examined." Darloup

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miamimike says on Feb 12, 2007, 22:28:

Still see No claims to any Verifiable Proof That shows Avianca actually departs on time(or even close)90% of the time, say from Bogota. I'll be surprised if someone comes up with hard verifiable data as proof. That is Avianca's big problem, not to mention poor customer service and lost or late luggage,,,If I can't afford $100-$150 (more or less)Tickets on a real Airline instead of Avianca, I really can't afford to go on Vacation in the first place,,,

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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goin_south says on Feb 13, 2007, 00:16:

my last trip to Colombia....September... I had 3 of 4 legs on AVIANCA. I HAD NO COMPLAINTS/NO PROBLEMAS. and, as an extra special added attraction: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN THE WORLD... as your stewardesses. ( I think they had a gay guy working on there, too, just to balance out all the hormones! jejej)

Paz y prosperidad para Colombia.

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thur says on Feb 13, 2007, 00:27:

No problems. I've no experience with Copa, but I haven't had any problems so far with Avianca (be it not from Miami, but between Bogotá and Caracas). They were on time, friendly and efficient.
Greetings,

~ UPDATE ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- pbase.com/thur

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Aji1 says on Feb 13, 2007, 05:21:

Lan Chile is a very good ride. Direct flights to Bogota. New planes, great service, good price, generally. Everyone sticks it to you around Christmas. Only drawback is they have service only certian days of the week, and that is of course flying out of Miami.Check them out.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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casey says on Feb 13, 2007, 06:17:

COPA For me Copa is much better airline. Always on time, good service Vs Avianca late departures.

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Lowell says on Feb 13, 2007, 06:39:

Airlines Avianca personel have been very helpful. Once, when in Bogota, I misread the flight time (was late) and the counter person closed her station, went to complete arrangements for our next flight, all with a smile. During bad weather in Pireira the Avianca pilot in Bogota refused to fly, while the Aero Repulic planes still flew. An Avianca person in Pireira also closed her station and went upstairs to pay my departure tax. Again with a smile. Our experiences with Aero Republica have not been pleasant. No pre boarding for persons with problems, persons with babies....., didn't complete inflight service 2 out of 4 flights, rude and or uncaring personel.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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coffee beaner says on Feb 13, 2007, 08:50:

doesnt Copa only go to Bogota though??

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Waterdawg says on Feb 13, 2007, 08:56:

Price fixing ! I have been a Copa/Continental man for years ! The problem I have had of late , is the fair between Bogota and Panama .. They really get under my skin charging $ 450-490 for a hour/fifteen min. flight ??? Avianca charges the same price !

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juanalejo says on Feb 13, 2007, 09:24:

Copa flies to Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla and Cartagena with at least one daily flight to each, all of the flights via Panama obviously. Avianca does not operate newer aircraft than Copa, on the contrary Copa has the newest airline fleet in all of the Americas. Avianca used to be very bad, but has improved dramatically in the last two years since the new ownership, they have newer fleet of aircraft and will begin a full renewal as of next year. They have though still some room for improvement, but in general terms on time seems to be the norm now rather than strange thing like it used to be. That is my opinion from a three or four flight a week experience. Out of Miami definitely LAN is the choice, it has won the best airline of the Americas for the last two years, sadly it is not a daily flight from Bogota to Miami. American I avoid at all cost, so do I avoid Delta. Continental is fine and basically the only one that sticks its head out from the USA airlines. Aerorepublica in Colombia is ok, but seems to be getting better, they are recieving a brand new fleet of aircraft as we speak and are part of the One Pass agreement, even sharing now the same livery with Continental and Copa.

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Gator says on Feb 13, 2007, 09:24:

Coffee Beaner COPA goes to Bogotá, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, San Andrés Island from Miami (MIA) which is our usual destination/departure. The also fly out of LAX,JFK, MCO(Orlando) It's worth your time to call them for prices and schedules. You will, of course, Stop in Panama City though JFK and LAX does have a few direct flights to like Bogoitá and Barranquilla

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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coffee beaner says on Feb 13, 2007, 14:32:

Thanks gator, now I have another option when I fly down. Thanks!

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 13, 2007, 17:45:

MiamiMike Hey Miami Mike. I don't have a time stamped photo or video. But I flew Avianca from Bogota to Colombia on October 17th last year. My flight was scheduled to take off at 10:20am, flight #0006. We took off 5 minutes early. I was at my buddies house in Coconut Grove by 3:30pm. I have phone records of me calling T Mobile at 2:57pm aftr getting my luggage in Miami. Considering the number of complaints I have seen about Avianca, I am sure there is a reason for their bad reputation. But I had nothing but a good experience when I flew Avianca. I guess I must have been very lucky. My favorite airline to fly to Colombia is LAN. Excellent service and all the little perks. Food, free drinks, hot towels, constant service, etc. At the time, the tickets were cheap.

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RJQuilla says on Feb 13, 2007, 19:13:

I have flown Avianca twice and will be flying them this Thursday to Barranquillia. I have had no problems with them. From Miami to Barranquilla is good. Now all the complaints seem to center around Bogota. I have never flown there but if your going to Quilla out of Miami or vice versa you should be ok.

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miamimike says on Feb 13, 2007, 22:00:

Robert Jorge--You said it "You have been very Lucky" Many others flying Avianca have not,,,If an Airline is bad I don't defend it, its country of Origen has nothing to do with it. Reviewing some posts here(not yours) the inference taken is that some may be defending this Airline because its Colombian in Origin. To me, no matter what the Airline's Origin I have to call it like I see it,no matter if its from China, Canada, USA, Colombia ect. I have never flown them(Avianca) without them leaving Late(from Col and being told some BS story as to why, always a lie) or seeing lost luggage or seeing myself or friends have problems with tickets and re-imbursements. I have used them 2-3 times and everytime coming from Colombia, they were late departing by at least 1/2 hour, so that was a delay 50% of the time. My Luggage was delayed 1/3 of the times traveled. Could I Honestly say they are a good airline after this? I have used ACES, LanChile and American and never experienced these types of Delays. I don't look for the cheapest Airline Ticket($100 RT more isn't a deal breaker)-long ago I realized Cheapest isn't the best be it an Auto Mechanic,AC Mechanic or an Airline,,,Conversely, the Most expensive choice doesn't always guarantee the best value,,, Here in the US many times the Bargain Carriers that fly from Miami to NYC are the best value IMO,they get you there on time(most of the time) True, they don't serve food but on a 2-3 hour flight, I buy a Subway enroute(before I get to the airport as they charge too much at those MIA food courts anyhow) and eat it before I board so NO meal on a flight(under say 3-4 hours) isn't a deal breaker, give me a seat, working restrooms, depart/arrive on time and I could care less about the accouterments and nicities.I pack light and use all carry-on luggage now so no need to wait for lost luggage-its always with me. If for whatever reason I have(need of) packed a large suitcase, I now ship its contents boxed ahead of time with Servientrega and its there days before I arrive, so no lost luggage BS. Avianca taught me to do this....LOL(too bad they don't have the equal of the famous San Fran "Green Tortoise" Bus in a plane going to Colombia, now thats Value!

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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panthdave says on Feb 14, 2007, 03:17:

Perfect Miami Mike took the words out of my Mouth.. I can say is Miami Airport for the Transit customers is horrible but have not experienced that in 25 years cause I live in Miami..

Only fly my Happy Hour Flight which is the AA923..to Medellin..

and my wake up flight going back AA924 to Miami..

Sign up for weekend gateaway fares and sometimes that special to Medellin pops up but not lately only seen this year for 299.00 but now over 500.00 but will pay because I am AA fan..

panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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