Avianca A320 "Premium" Business Class: Okay, But Not So Great

As far as service goes, the crew was friendly enough. They weren’t rude in any way, but also went through the motions.

One of the reasons I appreciate this blog so very much is the standard of rude and friendly tends to match my perception.

I’m sick and tired of Google reviews from people who rate service as good when it’s actually snippy and uncomfortable. Like did these people grow up with any manners? Like, not even having their own manners, but recognizing good manners and distinguishing them from bad manners?

Hi Ben, thanks for the review.
This seems far superior than most European business class products where only 30-31 inch pitch is offered. Then again the stage lengths in Europe are shorter.
Regardless neither Avianca‘s nor most European Airlines‘ Business class is worthy of being classed as comfortable. I’d much rather sit in an economy emergency exit row and not have the seat in front of me pushing into my legs.

Genuine question - do you think Emirates economy on this route is a better product than this?

The trick with the middle seat getting extra width+table is nothing new, I first saw it on Czech Airlines (RIP) 20+ years ago. I'm sure that some European airlines still do it today- possibly TAP?

I also recently flew this product for the first time, on IAD-SAL-IAD while checking a new country off my list.

For four hours and almost 2000 miles, it was not a very pleasant product to fly. Beat coach and got me lounge access in SAL, but the dinner on IAD-SAL was lousy and streaming options were pretty limited for a flight of this length. Glad they had a premium product to try, but overall not a fan.

I flew Emirates Economy Class on this route back in June 2024 round trip. Comparing my experience to this review, I would say it depends on what your looking for.

Emirates 777 economy had a full meal with good quality (same quantity as their long haul flights meals), a comfortable seat with adjustable headrest, pillow, blanket, headphones, and an IFE screen. However, it's worth noting that Emirates typically uses their older 777s on the Miami route, but I think they may have announced that the MIA route (and in turn BOG) would get the refurbished 777 cabins with new J product and refreshed Y product). The crew was extremely friendly and exceptional as well, and I had an amazing conversation with them. I also flew the route within the first 10 days of the route launching, so this was the first time the crew was working the flight which I assume contributed to their festive attitude.

The positives of booking Avianca's A320 Business Class is lounge access (if you do not otherwise have lounge access with a credit card). Otherwise, there are a lot of Priority Pass lounges in BOG (including the standard Avianca lounge, not the Business Class one though), and there are also PP options in the MIA south terminal (where Avianca and EK both depart from). You also only have 2 seats next to each other, and you have the side console. At the same time, this flight is only 3 hours long, so it depends if you really need or value the extra personal space.

I personally think its better to save your money/points and fly with Emirates. Unless you value the extra space with Avianca's premium product. It's also worth noting that Emirates Business Class often isn't sold out on the Bogota flight, and they offer reasonable cash upgrades from Economy on the day of departure for about $300 USD.

Correction: it seems Emirates is now using their retrofitted 777s with the new cabins (not the new first class though) on the DXB-MIA-BOG route.

As @JB pointed out, sometimes EK offer J tickets that are cheaper than AV's and, if your schedule allows for it, there's really no need to consider flying with AV in this case.

I flew this recently BOG-ORD. I had a similar experience except the FA was pretty good, calling me by name the whole flight. The blanket and amenity kit were also above average.

1st row is quite tight and should be avoided.

The drip coffee actually tastes good unlike US based airlines despite no real cream/milk.

I guess it'd depend on how tall you are. I'm 5'7 and I prefer row 1 just to avoid having anyone reclining in front of me. But yeah, taller passengers would struggle in row 1.

Please write up a story on the passenger not letting you out. Very strange.

I last flew AVs A320s in early 2020 from CUR to BOG. What a effing downgrade from that experience back then.

Back then, you would get a proper recliner with proper legroom, complimentary wifi and a reasonable meal.

Avianca really went from mediocre to shit in no time.

I flew on this seat few months ago to CUR (premium economy) and I definitely prefer this/European setup to CM I got on the return flight, which has huge chairs but there's absolutely no space between me and the person next to me. This was quite comfy.

I see it differently -- I REALLY liked the hard product! For me, it has much more USABLE space than Intra-Euro and most UA/AA/DL narrowbody non-lie flat seats.

Context: I flew this from LAX-GUA last year. $100 upgrade from Y at check-in.A320Neo Seat 2A -- no one sitting in 1A or 2C. 4.5 hour flight.

Why:
- The seat cushion is physically wider, as it extends into the middle seat.
- As such, I was able to take my shoes off and sit in the seat cross-legged (aka, Indian style) -- and I'm 5' 8" (174cm).
- The middle seat tray was a desk for my laptop and phone. Power built into the tray meant no need to reach under the seat / worry about power falling out.

As far as hard products go, it's miles above Euro seats. And given the space utilization, I liked it more than Delta/United/AA non-lie flats. $20/hour for all this space was well worth it.

On Copa's 737-800s, their 49" pitch recliner is much nicer. But I prefer this to their 38" pitch (aka, legacy CO F seats).

At the time, the soft product was non-existent. Even food, water, pillow, blankets cost $$. And I don't recall seeing a flight attendant once. Looks like it's gotten better since then.

The company I work for would not have allowed any of us to accept such an invitation as employees. We must avoid even the perception of a conflict of interest. This is your own business so you must do what works for you, but my question to you:

Will you be able to write an impartial review? I anticipate that AF will put in considerable effort for this inaugural flight. It would be interesting to compare this experience with a non-inaugural flight. Perhaps I might do it myself, when prices for first class become reasonable due to economic recession.

Think I almost flew all European Carriers in the last 30 years and never ever I saw that kind of Config in Business. I've flown every TAP A/C for the last 30 Years and not one had that Config. Plus TAP's Business Class on Narrow Bodies, up untill kind of 15 years ago was a 2-3 Config (Only the 2 was with a blocked middle seat), on the right side they sold the 3 seats, but not anymore.

Nice review. I’m curious though about this “War On Milk” you mention. Who are the adversaries? I mean, milk is obviously one of them but I haven’t heard a peep even from our surgeon general about milk causing autism or anything like that so who is fomenting this war and why?

JD, don’t hold your breath but I am waiting for AF to roll out the CDG-SIN new La Premiere service.
We fly the LHR-SIN route with SQ in the A380 suites, three or four time per year.
Our hope is to fly out AF and return SQ, more expensive but worth a squirt as my final retirement present to myself.
The likes of Eskimo, Plain Jane and Mason, will I’m sure, be just waiting to criticise my post flight missive.

It was simply a turn of phrase, referring to airlines from certain parts of the world only offering powdered "cream", rather than anything in liquid form.

Powdered milk is a popular alternative to fresh or UHT in south America. Availability, long shelf life and lightweight, the US provides about 60% of the product.

Probably there's no story. Some people simply believe that they don't have to stand up to let other passengers get to the aisle. I've witnessed countless instances of passengers climbing over others because of this. Seems to be a cultural thing in certain regions (e.g. Latin America, China, S/SE Asia). The opposite is also true; once in a flight from Europe to SCL, a Chinese passenger simply threw himself all over me to get to the aisle with no notice or even a gesture.

The resurrected Braniff back in 1984 had a seat that would do something like this, so it has been around a long time. The center back would form a table and an armrest.

"okay" but "not so great" are opposing viewpoints.

from what you wrote here I'd agree with "okay."

was that actually powdered milk? I'd be fine with that. The packet does read non-dairy, which makes me think it's the crap that's widely available in the US and is largely HFCS.

Yup it's creamer which is awful stuff. I don't know why people think it's a good substitute for real milk.

@AeroB

I am holding my breath while rubbing my hands in glee at the stated impending disaster. Morbid, I know, but with every disaster there is oft some opportunity. This is one of the opportunities I'm looking forward to...
I also have a first class trip to Tokyo from the USA later this year on JAL, that is currently scheduled to occur on a B77W. I have been looking to switch one leg to the A351 so I can sample both services, but no luck as yet. Hope springs eternal...

What Lucky mentions is powdered creamer which isn't even a dairy product

I agree with you, this seat is really nice and spacious, in addition, quite different from what we see on many airlines.

The only issue I have is that if no one is sitting next to me, I would prefer Club Europe to lie down and sleep in the three seats...

Post Covid Avianca is absolute garbage. The Avianca before 2020 and the Avianca of today are two totally different airlines. I would have never flown an American carrier over Avianca prior to 2020. Now, I will never fly them again. Not worth your money whatsoever. Even if you pay extra for the "business class" or the larger seats, its not guranteed. Good luck trying to get your money back from Avianca when your 2A seat is given away at check in and you are stuck in 26C. They don't care, they will screw you anyway possible. Your ticket included a carry on? Good luck trying to argue that with the gate agent that swears your ticket does not include the carry on and you will have to pay $150 on the spot or you're not getting on your flight. Its simply extortion and the employees go to is always to file a complaint or refund request on the website which will go nowhere because they will never give you your money back or any type of compensation. I wouldnt wish dealing with Avianca "customer service" on my worst enemy.

Ben, sorry to be nitpicking, but WiFi is how your laptop/phone connects to the planes network, so clearly it had WiFi. You are confusing it with internet, which it didn’t have!

Hey Ben, I think the seats were designed exclusively for AV by Recaro, instead of retrofitted Y seats. One has to wonder though, what's the point in designing something that isn't truly special when there are plenty of "off-the-shelf" products

Avianca ground service is awful. Grumpy and helpless staff, same thing for their Call Center and flight attendants. Even in premium cabins they want to make you hate the airline as much as they do.

its what it is- we used that for quite some flights out of BOG, national and further south. brought our own catering, was alright i would say. comfier than the LH C we have to put with within europe

I purchased an Avianca Business ticket Toronto - Bogotá - Santiago Chile , for about $3800 R/T. It was all on the A320 , it that most deceiving practice ever, the worst misrepresentation of business class. It's merely an economy seat sold for 600% more than the price of economy . There should an authority preventing Avianca from selling this product as business class. It worse than most premium economy. Seat is hard too.

Beware with the false advertising of business class on many South American flights. COPA also has a lousy Business seat quality.

Deceiving practice and they seem to get away with it.

I wrote Avianca and never got a reply.

Felt good to rant about it

this is not in any way a business class seat.

Just flew Avianca business from DC to BOGOTA and then Bogota to a domestic location. For the domestic flight I had a cup of water. Mind you, I paid over $1000 for this. It’s a scam. They send an email that says
“If you are traveling in Business Class, or flying to and from Europe, your onboard complimentary service will be provided as usual.”
And then they show up with a cup of water, not even a bottle. It’s awful

South and central American airlines are the bastard children of US airlines, If you think US airlines business class seats and service are terrible ( which they are) don't expect better or the same from these carriers, Copa, Avianca,Gol., Azul, Latam,and add DELAYS which is the South American thing, there are always late and there is always drama and chaos.
These are poor countries and just the fact of them flying, its an upgrade to life, PRICE should be your best compass to purchase your ticket. and be prepared to get CR@P.