As long as Avianca is engaging in hygiene theatre, it is best to avoid this carrier, particular in business class. Beyond that, the deplorable hard product does not inspire confidence in the airline itself. This review covers my A320 business class journey on Avianca from San Salvador to Los Angeles.
Avianca A320 Business Class Review
After a long layover in San Salvador (SAL), I was ready to get on my plane to Los Angeles. Boarding was scheduled to commence one hour prior to departure and I headed down to the gate about that time. At El Salvador International Airport, you clear security at the gate and the lines were long and moving very slowly.
The security check, however, was not all that close. I left a water bottle in my bag and it was not caught. My laptop stayed in the bag and my shoes stayed on. However, my belt and watch did set off the machine and I was scolded for leaving my belt on in the first place.
I noticed an army of wheelchairs lined up to pre-board (far more than in the picture below). There must have been 40…and for a brief moment I thought I was flying to India.
Boarding finally commenced around 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. I was not first onboard, but did manage to join the wheelchair queue so I could take a few pictures of the business class cabin before it filled up. I already previewed this flight in the context of onboard service, but this is a fresh review.
Avianca Airlines 520
San Salvador (SAL) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Wednesday, September 15
Depart: 07:10PM
Arrive: 11:40PM
Duration: 05hr, 30min
Distance: 2,319miles
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Seat: 3K (Business Class)
Stepping onboard, it was not immediately clear how bad this flight would be. The flight attendant greeted me and the seats looked comfortable enough for the 5.5 hour journey.
Seats
Avianca has more than one A320 configurations. Some have seat-back screens. Mine did not. My aircraft had three rows in a 2-2 configuration, for a total of 12 seats. Seat pitch is 40 inches, which is more generous than what U.S. carriers offer in their “domestic first” product. Row three also seemed to have full recline and the seats were 21 inches wide.
If you only care about the seats, Avianca is not a horrible option. But also note the carrier has a whole different type of business class seat on other A320s that are in a hard shell and do not look as comfortable.
While plugs were located in the center console, no power was available: they were either turned off or broken. There was a headphone jack, channel adjustor, and volume control on the armrest and it was even turned on, but there was no in-flight entertainment offered on the flight.
No safety card was in the seatback pocket either…and look at the condition of the cabin:
No blankets or pillows, either. I still managed to spend most of the flight sleeping. What else was I going to do?
Food + Drink
Wow, this was bad.
After takeoff, the flight attendant appeared with a beverage cart and I noticed just about everyone was ordering Baileys Irish Cream. That’s odd, I thought. Is this a favorite drink in El Salvador?
Finally she reached me in the last row and offered me a choice of still water, Coca-Cola, or Baileys. Yes, three drink choices in business class, including Baileys.
I had water.
I was also offered a box containing a chicken pita sandwich and plantain chips. This would be dinner on the 5+ hour international flight.
Well, better than nothing I suppose. But as I tried to open the sandwich, I found the bread had stuck to the wrapper and pulled apart as I tried to pull it out, emptying the lukewarm chicken all over the cardboard box it was served in.
What a sad meal.
IFE
None.
There was no wi-fi, no streaming video, and no overhead video except for the pre-flight safety briefing. Again, power ports were broken or turned off so it’s not like I could even pass the time watching movies (yes, those new MacBook Pros with incredible battery life are calling my name…)
Service
While the flight attendant was nice, she was given very little to work with. After the “snack” service she disappeared and I did not see here again till we began our descent to Los Angeles. I got up to use the lavatory and asked her for a glass of water. This should have been proactive, but beyond the first beverage service no additional drinks were offered.
Amenity Kits
None
Lavatory
The lavatory and was looked clean…at least there were not puddles on the floor.
CONCLUSION
I acknowledge Avianca is a financially-troubled airline. It is currently operating in bankruptcy protection (with plans to emerge soon) and there is genuine concern whether the carrier can survive.
Even so, I was expecting a little something more on a 5.5-hour flight departing at dinner time in business class. The entire product, not just the meal, is deplorable and there is no way I would waste my miles or money for business class on this carrier…becuase soft product matters to me.
I do intend to return to El Salvador (and actually enter). There’s a Hyatt Centric I want to review and I want to stock up on coffee. But, it will be on United, not on Avianca…that’s for sure.
As we approached Los Angeles, fog drifted in. It was a beautiful night…
…a beautiful night to walk straight to In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda for some real dinner.
Great review but that looks like a horrible flight! At least it means less typing!
12/11
TY for sharing needed this
I’m going to C.R. in march 2022
i definitely will not fly avianca
happy holidays
Wow, what a terrible experience — really unacceptable. Kudos to you, Matthew for the review. I’ll be sure to avoid Avianca!
I noticed you said you walked to In-n-Out, I have always wondered if that is possible but wasnt sure. Is it a pretty easy walk?
It’s an easy walk, all flat, though you have to allow 15-20 minutes. You walk through LAXit, then through the employee parking lot and down Sepulveda Blvd, crossing the street at Manchester. Good to burn some calories in anticipation of the feast!
I take offense about your comment “I felt like I was going to India” it’s people like you who spread hatred. Also try talking about American Airlines, rude staff from check in to flight crews.
Observation ≠ hatred. I’m going to assume you have flown to India and have sen the absurd amount of wheelchairs for perfectly capable passengers. No hatred there…
I just want to clarify (and I am a South Asian). While many passengers look like they are capable of walking, in reality it is actually difficult for them to walk for a long period of time. Unfortunatrly, a big part of our population does not prioritize for their health after a certain (relatively young) age. Many are not used to walking for a long period of time after also sitting for a long time on a plane. This is why many older passengers request wheelchairs (and why it is more prominent on flights to South Asia). Add in the massive airports these passengers typically transit through (DXB, DOH, LHR), it becomes much more comfortable to request one. Keep in mind that they often do not have the same stamina as individuals the same age in western countries, which means their bodies may not be able to tolerate as much. As a result, they get back/leg pain and swelling more easily.
Was this a Miracle Flight where 40 people need wheelchairs to board but 30 of them are miraculously cured by some magical power during the flight and disembark without help?
Probably not in this case, since their wheelchairs would also allow them to bypass immigration lines at LAX.
Really?
Lines, not immigration itself.
As I said on my post below, wheelchair is the new animal companion BS. You see people taking advantage everywhere. They know they can board first and be in front of the immigration lines so why not say your leg hurts? Nobody will ask for any medical paperwork to confirm. In Miami, NY or London it can save you hours. Disgusting.
That is, singularly, one of the worst meals I have ever seen offered in any class. Air India just moved up a notch. Hospital vending machines offer better.
And you guys give me hell for using the words “Third World”.
I’m concerned why all these cappers are coming to America.
Time to close the borders again just to be safe. You know, Covid and stuff.
Oof – I’ve definitely had better meals in economy on a 1 hour intra-Asia flight …
That flight was a disgrace. As for the wheel chairs that became the same BS as companion animals. People definitely take advantage of those to board first and zip through the immigration lines. As for the belt, I have a specific belt for travel. It passes 99% of all metal detectors but there is always one that beeps and TSA people have to show how pissed they are by the looks they give me. I would expect that all TSA metal detectors are calibrated the same but coming from the TSA is better to have no expectations.
It doesn’t really surprise me that this level of service was offered. COVID overkill seems to be the norm in this region.
Definily is that worse I know I bay ticket with 24 hours free canselation but but when I call during that 24 four hours tha those not count u has to fill other codes whit them for that to work and wait until 30 for then to make a decision if they decide to refund or not . I will never waste my money with this company again .no to mention I call a wait about 5 times 3 &4 hours within for costumer service to help . And when dey answer every single one tell you what they want end hang up.
Just returned to Lax on Avianca. To and from Ecuador, the worse business class I’ve ever experienced. This airline should fail. They also treat their own people poorly. I bet the executives get a year end bonus for working the staff with longer hours and cuts in pay.
I was an airline worker for 20 years and a world traveler for 40+.
BTW, I won’t feed the food to a dog…it’s that bad.
Totally same experience ( IAD – BOG ) total flight: 5 hours.
Just a meal, no pillow, no amenities… nothing. I complain with them about it, and they give me a poor answer like “ we have this in our condition to business class “ I was impressed.
Thank you.. I was thinking was just me.
In-N-Out Burger a “real” meal. =) Americans