- Introduction: The Long Way To Spain
- Review: Avianca 787 Business Class Los Angeles To Bogota
- Review: Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport
- Review: Avianca 787 Business Class Bogota To Madrid
- Review: Marriott Madrid Airport Auditorium Hotel
- Review: Sala VIP Cibeles Terminal 1 Madrid Airport
- Review: Aeromexico 787 Business Class Madrid To Mexico City
- Review: Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City Airport
- Review: Amex Centurion Lounge Mexico City Airport
- Review: Aeromexico 787 Business Class Mexico City to Los Angeles
We pulled into the gate at Bogota Airport at around 6:45PM, while my connection to Madrid was at 9:43PM.
On the jet bridge there were two Avianca employees waiting for me. They didn’t speak any English, though fortunately I speak a little bit of Spanish. They explained they’d take me to the lounge.
I’m not sure whether I was getting this treatment because I was connecting to one of their “premium” flights in business class (everyone else in business class seemed to be staying in Colombia, based on observing everyone else taking an immigration form), or if they figured out I was reviewing the flights (if that’s the case, I figured the service would have been significantly less bitchy on the Los Angeles to Bogota flight). Anyway, just passing on thoughts, and you guys can decide.
The friendly Avianca employees walked with me towards the security checkpoint. There was a long queue there. Unlike my Air India first class experience, there were no line cuts here, but rather they just waited in line with me. That was almost a bit awkward, since they didn’t speak English, and I don’t speak Spanish well enough to (voluntarily) have a conversation.
Fortunately the lady got some sort of a notice that another transit security checkpoint had opened up, so we jogged over there, as there was no queue. We were through in a matter of minutes. From there we found ourselves in Bogota Airport’s international terminal.
Bogota Airport international terminal
The Avianca Diamond Lounge was just a few steps away. For what it’s worth, I believe the Diamond Lounge is open to business class passengers as well as LifeMiles Diamond members, while the other lounge is open to Star Alliance Gold passengers and Priority Pass members. So, if you wouldn’t otherwise have access, a credit card with lounge benefits could come in handy.
Avianca Sala VIP Bogota Airport signage
There was an agent on the ground floor who scanned my boarding pass, at which point I was directed upstairs to the lounge, which could be accessed using stairs or the elevator.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport entrance
At this point my escort bid me farewell. I still wasn’t sure exactly what that was all about.
I should note that I had low expectations of this lounge before visiting. I recently visited Avianca’s domestic lounge at Bogota Airport, which was pretty underwhelming, I also recently visited the LAN international lounge at Bogota Airport, which was significantly nicer. So I was curious how this lounge compared.
Given my expectations of Avianca lounges coming in, I was very pleasantly surprised. Upon arriving on the second floor there was a cool wall with world clocks, as well as a display which I assume was intended to represent Avianca’s route network to some degree.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport entrance
The lounge wasn’t huge, though did have several sections to make it feel more private. Near the entrance were a bunch of tables, as well as a self serve area with liquor, wine, coffee, and light snacks.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
Then the lounge narrowed out, with some single seats along the walls.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
Past that was some cool furniture, including some semi-private couches, much like you’ll find in an Amex Centurion Lounge.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
In practice most people seemed to be using the couches for naps.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
Then there were a couple of relaxation areas, with comfortable chairs and ottomans.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport relaxation area
Along the windows overlooking the tarmac was a long counter with plenty of high-top seating.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport seating
The main buffet area was located at the far end of the lounge, and there were some dining tables near it.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport dining area
I had very low expectations of the food given my previous experience, though this lounge had decent food.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet area
There were a couple of types of packaged snacks.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport snacks
Then there were several room temperature appetizers and dessert items.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet
There was also tomato soup.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport buffet
And then there was a self serve salad bar with tons of options, which I thought was a great setup.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport food spread
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport food spread
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport food spread
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport food spread
Soft drinks and beer were available from fridges along the walls.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport drinks
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport drinks
Back near the entrance was a setup with the wine and liquor.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport drink selection
There was also a coffee machine, along with several types of sweets.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport coffee selection
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport snacks
The restrooms were located back near the entrance, and were in fairly good condition. Apparently the lounge has showers, though I didn’t have a chance to check them out.
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport restrooms
Avianca Lounge Bogota Airport restrooms
Wifi in the lounge was usable, but by no means high speed.
According to my boarding pass the flight to Madrid was scheduled to board at 8:43PM (an hour before departure), so I headed to the gate at around 8:30PM.
Bogota Airport international terminal
My flight was departing from gate 29, which was about a three minute walk from the lounge.
Bogota Airport departure gate to Madrid
As I got to the gate there were tons of people lined up, which I was a bit confused about. As it turns out, they were checking everyone’s passports to make sure they had proper travel documents. I presented my passport, and the lady asked where my visa was. I explained I didn’t need a visa for Spain with a US passport, which she was confused by. After consulting her colleague, she cleared me.
The flight began boarding at 8:50AM, starting with passengers requiring assistance, followed by business class.
Avianca Diamond Lounge Bogota Airport bottom line
I had very low expectations of the lounge based on my previous experience with Avianca’s lounges, so I was pleasantly surprised. The lounge decor was nice enough, and the food selection was pretty good. No, this lounge isn’t anywhere close to being among the best in the world, but it’s certainly serviceable.
I’d say it’s roughly comparable to the LAN lounge next door…
I hear that Avianca is tending to reduce direct flights domestically and route more though their BOG hub. As a result I had to connect twice through BOG recently on 6 domestic business class flight itinerary. Each time I passed through BOG just ‘outside’ their peak lunchtime hours. As no food was served onboard, I depended on getting something gluten-free in the lounge - NOTHING, only fast food rubbish!
As BOG receives many international...
I hear that Avianca is tending to reduce direct flights domestically and route more though their BOG hub. As a result I had to connect twice through BOG recently on 6 domestic business class flight itinerary. Each time I passed through BOG just ‘outside’ their peak lunchtime hours. As no food was served onboard, I depended on getting something gluten-free in the lounge - NOTHING, only fast food rubbish!
As BOG receives many international flights at all hours, why do they insist on sticking to rigid meal times? Not really latino, is it? Generally, food outside the lounges is rubbish too.
Beware
"Apparently the lounge has showers, though I didn’t have a chance to check them out."
Why would the reviewer skip such a crucial part of the review? Seems suspicious. Also, reviewer shows no photo of the fridge with refreshments. Other reviews say it has a pad lock on the door and no food items after 9pm.
I will be flying Avianca Business to Cartagena late tonight with a layover in Bogotá. I'll add some comments to this thread to let you know if the lounge has improved, stated the same etc. Since my flight arrives around 6am I doubt I'll get an escort. I'm hoping the lounge is open but if not I have my Amex Concierge on standby for other options.
I didn't see the salad bar at BOG, which might have made a difference. I'd say this was a hugely disappointing experience before my BOG-GIG flight. Lots of crappy carbs, nearly every table had dirty tableware, and it wasn't in an enclosed room IIRC, just on a higher floor "loft" at the airport (an ambience I dislike). LAN/LATAM lounges are way superior.
Do you not use your German passport for EU bound flights?
Ben, you meant 8:50PM at the end?
@Imperator - I applaud you for the creativity and how well you tied in previous posts
I've been frustrated in the past by you being resistant to admitting you received special blogger treatment, so in fairness I have to give you props for being so open about the customized ground experience here. Thank you!
@Imperator great story! Selling the movie rights?
I am so disappointed. I had a scenario worked out in my head as to why someone was meeting Lucky at the plane: the inquisitive Avianca agent at LAX had concluded that Ben was a nefarious international criminal! And she had alerted officials in Bogota, who descended upon the plane with guns drawn. Poor Ben was dragged to an interrogation room and subjected to heated questioning, including why he was wearing sweatpants in a premium...
I am so disappointed. I had a scenario worked out in my head as to why someone was meeting Lucky at the plane: the inquisitive Avianca agent at LAX had concluded that Ben was a nefarious international criminal! And she had alerted officials in Bogota, who descended upon the plane with guns drawn. Poor Ben was dragged to an interrogation room and subjected to heated questioning, including why he was wearing sweatpants in a premium cabin! Sobbing, Ben tried to explain his passion for aviation blogging while the baffled officials passed around the Lufthansa duck that they had found in his bag. The officials decided that they needed to question the flight attendant on the flight from LAX about Ben's demeanor. The FA was in a rush to get home to watch her favorite tele novella and resented being summoned to this filthy room. She rolled her eyes at the officials' questions. The enraged officials and the FA got into a heated shouting match! During the commotion Ben quietly slipped away just in time to catch the Madrid flight where he calmed his nerves by enjoying a G&T.
Looks as though they provided "special" treatment jajaja. Avianca Diamond lounge is opened to diamond lifemiles card holders (at least those were the rules until last year), while the rest of the bunch can use the other larger lounge (where the showers are located btw).