Avianca

[colman]

Say whatever you may say but AVIANCA is the oldest airlines in the Western Hemisphere, not bad for a "third" worl  
             
  HISTORY          
             

             
Avianca, the first airline serving the Americas

Avianca has certainly made it's mark on the commercial aviation industry. Founded in 1919, it was the first airline to serve the Americas and the second airline company to be created in the history of aviation.
 
           
         
  Junkers F-13   1919   Boeing 767 ER   2001      
           
Today, the Avianca group has one of the most modern fleets in Latin America. Together with SAM, it's sister airline, This is comprised of Boeing 767 ERs and 757s for long haul routes, B757s and MD83s on medium distance routes and Fokker 50s for domestic regional services.  
d country

[Pete E]

... in response to Avianca, posted by colman on Jul 21, 2002

Colman,
After doing it twice I avoid the hell out of an Avianca transfer in Bogota.I had a confirmed reservation,completed the first 3 legs of the trip."Sorry you have no reservation."At least I was able to get on the next plane in 3 hours.A guy I met in the airport had been stuck in Bogota 3 days and he had confirmed reservations.
Hopefully ACES will pull them up,not the other way around.ACES has been excellent.

Pete

[Jebster]

... in response to Re: Avianca, posted by Pete E on Jul 21, 2002

The vast majority of people who have flown Avianca more than 2 or 3 times, will have many sad stories about the lousy dependability of this airline. A reservation and paid ticket in hand do not guarantee a seat on the flight. Their on-time record is simply pitiful. You only choose Avianca when there simply is no other alternative.

[bogota vet]

... in response to Make No mistake, Avianca is the worst ai..., posted by Jebster on Jul 21, 2002

I was made to pay an extra $145 at the gate in Miami on Avianca,
they said the rate chnged, even though I bought the ticket and had it in my hand a month earlier.  They said thr travel agent should have used a diffrent rate table.

Ususally when you have a ticket and boarding pass it is case closed you are on the flight.  Not in this case.

I sadi I only flew Aviance becasue Avaiance was %40 chepaer then AA, now it ended up being $90 more !!

I had no choice I had to board the plane and pay the extra $145.  I argued with my travel agent, but nothing ever happened.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Make No mistake, Avianca is the wors..., posted by bogota vet on Jul 21, 2002

I recently sent my novia an envelope via Avianca air express. When it left here it contained 10 pages of forms/documents needed to apply for her K-1, a video cassete, a special electric cable (hook a video camera to a TV) a remote control and a CD (inside one of those plastic cases) and some pictures. When it arrived (four days LATER than promissed) it contained THREE pages (not ten) of documents, the cassete, the cable and a BROKEN CD, without the case. Most of the forms, the remote control and the pictures were gone.............they won't get MY business again.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Make No mistake, Avianca is the ..., posted by Michael B on Jul 22, 2002

I have had money taken out of a UPS envelope.(yes they warn you don't send money).After many calls to UPS I talked to someone who seemed knowlegable.She said Colombian Customs inspects everything that goes in,regardless of how you send it.They open most everything and help themselves to anything of value.You don't get around them by your choice of shipper.I believe UPS didn't take my money.Could someone at Avianca have taken your things?Possibly.They are a Colombian Company and things work much different down there.Theft and bribes seem part of normal business.

Pete

[Michael B]

... in response to Colombian Customs is the thief, posted by Pete E on Jul 22, 2002

I think it was just carelessness. Why would anyone WANT blank I-129F forms, a remote that only works with one particular camera and a few snapshots of people they don't even know?

[pack]

... in response to Colombian Customs is the thief, posted by Pete E on Jul 22, 2002

best advice dont send anything to colombia, have a friend carry it in for you.
i sent a little boy a complete soccer set ( ball,knee and elbow pads, shorts, shoes, etc) ....it never got to him.
his mother told me its the colombian customs...they'll steal you blind.

[bogota vet]

... in response to Colombian Customs is the thief, posted by Pete E on Jul 22, 2002

I think FEDEX somehow has unwritten hands off policy among Colombians.
FEDEX is a world class operation.  Top to bottom.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Colombian Customs is the thief, posted by bogota vet on Jul 22, 2002

I would think Fed Ex and UPS would be treated similarly.I would not assume you were safe with Fed Ex.

Pete

[bogota vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Make No mistake, Avianca is the ..., posted by Michael B on Jul 22, 2002

I have used FEDEX several times, it always worked great, on time , and you can track it.

A few times I even sent small amount of money, hidden in the Fedex pack. Never a problem.