Avianca S.A. (short for Aerovias del Continente Americano S.A. in Spanish) is a  Colombian airline based in Colombia. Founded in 1919, avianca – yes, the lowercase “a” is part of the brand – has built an impressive network of nearly 110 destinations across 27 countries. Its central hub is El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. With its consistently excellent customer service and long operation history, avianca is the priority choice for passengers on national and international flights.

Like other grand airlines, avianca has specific baggage allowance policies that must be followed. As most of the general rules are pretty easy to get hold of, passengers may find some of the latest policies troublesome to understand. Read further to be informed of the carry-on and checked baggage policy, and what to do with the extra weight of baggage. We’ll also share a few handy tips to help you book and check in with avianca more smoothly.

Overview of avianca Airlines

Operating as the flag carrier of Colombia since 1919, avianca is often referred to as the largest airline in Colombia and the second largest in Latin America, after LATAM Airlines of Chile. The airlines even expanded more routes and services after the significant merger with TACA, one of the largest airlines in South America. It has been in operation since 2013 as avianca El Salvador, along with five other subsidiary branches.

If you want the best experience of avianca Airlines, try out the Business Class Seats. You will find comfortable seating, extra storage space, seat and light control and other excellent facilities. However, carefully read the luggage policies, as they change depending on your seating. Please read further into the article, as we will provide more detailed information.

Carry-on Baggage Policy

Avianca Airlines carry-on size explained.

Travellers who choose avianca Airlines must bring only one personal article and carry-on baggage. This rule will apply to both Economy Class and Business Class. Please check carefully the requirements below:

• Personal article: 14 x 18 x 8 inches (35 x 45 x 20 cm), fit under the front seat

• Carry-on baggage: 22 x 14 x 10 inches (55 x 35 x 25 cm) and 22 pounds (10kg), fits the overhead compartment

Note that Basic ticket can only bring one personal item, whilst filers on higher classes can bring both a carry-on and a personal item.

As you have carry-on baggage along your side, there are some rules that need to be taken into account. If your personal item or carry-on baggage does not meet the requirements, it will be checked as hold baggage and may incur an additional charge. Additionally, when you purchase a size XS personal article, it can only fit one personal item, such as a purse, a backpack or a laptop.

A simple tip to avoid baggage fees: the CabinZero 28L backpack is designed to meet the cabin size requirements of nearly all major airlines – even the strictest ones – and yes, that includes avianca.

We recommend this backpack because, quite simply, it’s super lightweight (only around 600g). That means more room for packing and less stress about weight limits. On top of that, you’ll probably love the water-resistant coating too. It’ll help you stay dry and protected in sudden downpours or unpredictable weather, wherever your travels take you. Grab one now and enjoy a smooth journey with avianca!

Checked Baggage Policy

In the checked baggage policy, it is not the destination but the class that counts. The maximum weight for travellers using Economy Class is restricted to 50 pounds (23 kg). On the other hand, ones in Business Class will have a maximum weight allowance of 70 pounds (32kg).

After checking your total baggage weight, look carefully at its size. The dimensions of your baggage should not go over 62 linear inches, equivalent to 158 cm cumulative (height + length + width). Exceeding the defined weight and size, you will have to pay for the additional baggage plus the cost of overweight baggage. 

Note: For flights to/from Europe, you can not bring baggage exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg), even if you pay the extra cost.

Excess Baggage Policy

When your baggage exceeds the maximum weight or size, you will be charged an additional fee to bring it along. This rule will apply to all pieces of baggage that do not meet the requirements.

Depending on the weight and dimensions of your checked baggage, passengers on domestic flights will have to pay an extra USD$30 or COP 100.000 for each oversized item. For each overweight piece, they will have to spend £13 or COP 90.000. 

Passengers on international flights should check the fee rates table on the official avianca Airlines website. 

Passengers can avoid the situation by purchasing additional baggage and adding it to their booking. The standard baggage dimensions have a maximum of 62 inches (158 cm), while the maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg). Additional baggage can be purchased at the official website of avianca Airlines.

avianca’s Sports Equipment & CPAP Baggage Policy

Policy for Sports Equipment

You can absolutely buy extra baggage space for sports equipment when booking your ticket online through avianca’s website, or directly at the airport counter.

Depending on the size and nature of your sporting gear, it can be either carry-on or checked luggage. This is how it goes:

• Those that can go in as carry-on: These are items such as bowling balls, fishing rods, tennis racquets, or archery equipment. As long as the overall linear measurement doesn't reach 115 centimetres (about 45 inches) and the weight is less than 10 kilograms (about 22 pounds), they're fine.

• Things that need to be checked in: That would include things like skis, golf clubs, or a plain bicycle with a single saddle only. They are only accepted if the total size is not more than 230 centimetres (90 inches) and the total weight is not more than 32 kilograms (70 pounds).

If you’re flying to/flying from Europe, make sure your sports equipment stays within 230 centimetres (90.5 inches) and under 33 kilograms (71 pounds). Anything beyond these limits, unfortunately, won’t be accepted as checked baggage.

The exact fees for each type of sports equipment (for both domestic and international flights) are listed in detail on avianca’s website.

Policy for CPAP Machines and Other Breathing Support Devices

Avianca does allow travellers to carry breathing assistance equipment or portable oxygen devices (i.e., POC, CPAP, or VPAP machines) on board as carry-on. The devices are accepted only if they come with a label stating that they are Federal Aviation Administration-approved.

There are a few things that passengers should be aware of to make sure they're allowed to use these devices during the flight:

• Phone avianca and any connecting airlines, if necessary, and advise them that your breathing machine is okay to use on board. This must be done at least 48 hours ahead of the scheduled departure of your flight.

• When checking in, inform the staff and present any documents certifying medical necessity, dated and stamped by a doctor. The letter should not be older than 10 days.

• Make sure to fully charge the device and any backup batteries before flying. Avianca does not provide any power outlets during the journey.

How to Buy Tickets at Avianca?

One of the easiest ways to book your avianca flight is by buying your ticket directly online through the airline’s website. Just follow these 7 simple steps:

Step 1: Go to avianca’s website

Use your computer, tablet or even your mobile phone to visit https://www.avianca.com. Don’t forget to switch the language to one you’re most comfortable with.

Step 2: Set up your journey on the main page

Start by choosing whether you want a one-way or round-trip flight. Then, enter your departure city, destination airport, travel dates (departure and return, if you're booking a round-trip), and the number of passengers. Next, click the "Search" button to see which flights are available.

Here’s a quick example: flying from Aruba to Boston.

Enter initial information for your trip. Photo captured from the official website of avianca.

Step 3: Choose the flight that works best for you

Scroll up and down until you notice that there is a flight with an appealing route and price for your travel plans. When you notice one, click it to check the price of each fare type (Basic, Classic, or Flex) and select the one that fits your needs.

Just click on the trip you want to take. Photo captured from the website of avianca.

Step 4: Double-check your flight details

Take a moment to review the summary of your selected flight(s). You’ll also see the total cost, including taxes. Click “Continue” to move on to the next webpage.

Step 5: Enter the passenger’s details

Fill in all the required personal information, such as full name, date of birth, and nationality of the person flying. You’ll also be asked to provide contact details for the person making the booking, who will also receive future promotional emails from avianca. Click “Continue” when you’re ready.

Step 6: Customise your journey

Add extras if needed to make your trip more comfortable, like checked baggage or sports equipment. Then click “Select your seat” to choose an available spot on the plane. Once your seat is selected, click “Go to payment.”

A few extras you may want to add to your ticket. Photo captured from the website of avianca.

Step 7: Complete your payment and finish booking

You’ll have around 8 minutes to enter your preferred payment method (credit or debit card) and billing information. After everything is filled out, click “Confirm and pay” – and that’s it, your booking is done!

How to Check In for Avianca Flights?

Free Online Check-In via Website

You can check in for your flight completely free of charge at: https://checkinnew.avianca.com/Check-In?lang=EN.

Just keep in mind that avianca requests passengers to check in online a minimum of forty-eight hours before flight departure.

If you are travelling to or from Puerto Rico, the United States, or Canada, the check-in must be a minimum of twenty-four hours ahead of your flight.

Check In at the Airport (With a Small Extra Fee)

Passengers can check in by themselves at the self-service kiosks, usually located in front of the check-in counters. This must be done at least twenty-four hours before departure.

However, if you’re travelling under certain conditions — for example, flying with children under 14 or bringing a pet — you’ll need to check in at the counter instead.

For overseas flights, ensure to check in no less than three hours before departure. For internal flights, just try checking in at least one hour prior.

FAQs

1. How Much Luggage Is Allowed On Avianca?

Normally, passengers flying with an Economy ticket are allowed one piece of hand luggage (weighing up to 10 kilograms or 22 pounds) and one personal item. A single checked bag of up to 23 kilograms or 50 pounds is also allowed.

If you travel Business Class, you can carry one piece of hand luggage (also 10 kilograms or 22 pounds) and an item of personal use, and you'll be able to check two pieces with a combined weight of 64 kilograms or 140 pounds.

Avianca tends to limit the largest dimension of any checked bag (the total of length, width and height) to 158 centimetres or 62 inches.

2. How Much Is Overweight Baggage In Avianca?

Avianca travellers in general will be required to pay for overweight luggage if their checked bags weigh over 32 kilograms (70 pounds) for Business Class, or over 23 kilograms (50 pounds) for Economic Class. Overweight bag fees are usually between 100 and 110 US dollars or higher per bag, depending on your departure city and type of ticket.

3. How Much Does An Extra Bag Cost On Avianca?

Buying extra bags at the point of flight reservation or when checking in online is cheaper than buying them at the airport. You may pay from 50 to 250 US dollars, depending on how many bags you’re adding and how far in advance you buy them.

For example, if you add extra baggage more than 48 hours before you fly, you can get charged 50 US dollars for one extra bag and 85 US dollars for another. But if you add them within 48 hours of departure, the amount can go up to 120 and 250 US dollars, respectively.

Wrapping Up

Travelling with avianca is easy enough once you grasp the basics of avianca baggage policy – specifically carry-on and checked baggage. Just make sure to weigh your bags before heading to the airport and buy extra luggage online in advance to prevent unnecessary charges. And with the CabinZero 28L backpack, you can travel even more comfortably by making full use of avianca's free carry-on provision.

Quyen Pham