In recent years, Avianca has made significant changes to become more efficient and profitable. One notable decision was to remove business class from most flights within the Americas in October 2022.
This meant transforming their Airbus A320 aircraft by eliminating business-class seats and adding 20% more economy seating. Additionally, even flights operated by Boeing 787s no longer featured true business class offerings. Instead, premium cabin seats were sold simply as extra-legroom seats without the traditional business-class perks.
During this period, Avianca only maintained its full business class experience on long-haul flights to Europe. From the outset, many viewed this strategy skeptically, believing it limited Avianca’s competitiveness.
Starting August 2023, Avianca began gradually reversing this policy, reintroducing business class on selected routes, progressively expanding coverage since then.
Avianca’s Boeing 787 Business Class Reinstated
Since August 2023, Avianca has steadily reinstated business class on multiple routes within the Americas. Initially, this restoration covered several key Boeing 787 routes, including:
| Origin | Destination |
|---|---|
| Bogota (BOG) | Buenos Aires (EZE) |
| Bogota (BOG) | Miami (MIA) |
| Bogota (BOG) | Sao Paulo (GRU) |
| San Salvador (SAL) | Miami (MIA) |
Expansion Continued: July 2024 Business Class Restorations
By July 2024, Avianca expanded the availability of business class to key routes lasting five hours or more, utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft:
| Origin | Destinations |
| Bogota (BOG) | Boston (BOS), Buenos Aires (EZE), Mexico City (MEX), Miami (MIA), Montevideo (MVD), New York (JFK), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Santiago (SCL), Sao Paulo (GRU), Toronto (YYZ), Washington (IAD) |
Further Growth: December 2024 Business Class Rollout
By December 2024, Avianca further expanded business class routes operated with Airbus A320s:
| Origin | Destinations |
| Bogota (BOG) | Asuncion (ASU), Buenos Aires (AEP), Chicago (ORD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Georgetown (GEO), Lima (LIM), Montreal (YUL), Orlando (MCO), Panama City (PTY) |
| Medellin (MDE) | Buenos Aires (EZE), Lima (LIM), New York (JFK), Santiago (SCL), Sao Paulo (GRU) |
| San Salvador (SAL) | Bogota (BOG), Lima (LIM), Los Angeles (LAX), Medellin (MDE), Mexico City (MEX), New York (JFK), Panama City (PTY), San Francisco (SFO), Washington (IAD) |
Final Stage: Extensive September 2025 Business Class Reintroduction
Starting from September 15, 2025, Avianca is scheduled to expand business class even further, including a large number of shorter routes operated by Airbus A320:
| Origin | Destinations |
| Bogota (BOG) | Aruba (AUA), Cancun (CUN), Caracas (CCS), Curacao (CUR), Cusco (CUZ), Dallas (DFW), Guatemala City (GUA), Guayaquil (GYE), Havana (HAV), La Paz (LPB), Manaus (MAO), Punta Cana (PUJ), Quito (UIO), San Jose (SJO), San Juan (SJU), Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI), Santa Domingo (SDQ), Tampa (TPA) |
| Medellin (MDE) | Cancun (CUN), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Guayaquil (GYE), Mexico City (MEX), Miami (MIA), Panama City (PTY), Punta Cana (PUJ), Quito (UIO), San Jose (SJO), San Juan (SJU) |
| San Salvador (SAL) | Boston (BOS), Cancun (CUN), Dallas (DFW), Guatemala City (GUA), Guayaquil (GYE), Houston (IAH), Managua (MGA), Miami (MIA), Ontario (ONT), Quito (UIO), San Jose (SJO), San Pedro Sula (SAP), Tegucigalpa (TGU), Toronto (YYZ) |
These expansions effectively restore Avianca’s competitive position in premium air travel. Restoring business class not only aligns Avianca with market demands but also supports connectivity for passengers traveling on transatlantic routes, who expect a premium experience throughout their journey.
The reconfigured Airbus A320s remain cost-efficient but now include a business class option. It’s important to manage expectations though, as Avianca’s Airbus A320 business class, while superior to economy, doesn’t quite match the standards of luxury found on many other airlines.
Ready to Fly in Style with Avianca?
Avianca Expands Business Class offerings considerably, marking a significant turnaround from its earlier cuts. By September 2025, the majority of international routes within the Americas will feature business class flight service.
Originally removing this premium option in 2022 and reintroducing it due to rising demand underscores Avianca’s adaptability. This decision is beneficial, catering to the increasing demand for premium travel and ensuring Avianca remains competitive. Passengers, however, should keep expectations realistic, as the business class on Avianca’s Airbus A320 remains modest compared to more luxurious offerings from competitors.
