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Avianca Adds New San Francisco-Guatemala City Route Ahead of 2026 World Cup

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Juan Ruiz
Updated: 
Edited by: Ryan Smith
Avianca Adds New San Francisco-Guatemala City Route Ahead of 2026 World Cup
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Avianca has added a new nonstop route between San Francisco (SFO) and Guatemala City (GUA) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Colombian carrier launched seasonal service between the 2 cities on June 1, and it will operate through August 31, 2026.

Here’s what travelers need to know about Avianca’s newest U.S. route.

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Details of Avianca’s New San Francisco-to-Guatemala City Route

Avianca expanded its U.S. network with a new seasonal nonstop route between San Francisco (SFO) and Guatemala City (GUA), creating the only nonstop service between Northern California and Guatemala.

The carrier says the route is intended to support increased travel demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and to provide additional connectivity between the Bay Area and Central America for both leisure and business travelers.

World Cup Levi Stadium SF
The new nonstop route helps connect Central American soccer fans with the World Cup action at Levi’s Stadium. Image Credit: FIFA

The new seasonal route is now operating 4x weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between San Francisco and Guatemala City with the following schedule:

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Flight Number

Route

Departure Time

Arrival Time

AV553

San Francisco to Guatemala City

7:45 a.m.

2:15 p.m.

AV552

Guatemala City to San Francisco

1:20 a.m.

6:25 a.m.

Avianca operates the route using an Airbus A320 configured with 180 seats. The airline says that with this new service, it now offers more than 1,440 weekly seats between the 2 cities.

The timing of the route is no coincidence. With the San Francisco Bay Area set to host 6 matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the new nonstop flight should make it easier for soccer fans from Guatemala and across Central America to reach the tournament. Beyond the World Cup, the route also provides a convenient new link between Northern California and one of the region’s most important Central American gateways.

Hot Tip:

At the time of publication, one-way cash fares for this new route start at around $447. However, travelers with Avianca Lifemiles can book the same flight for as little as 11,000 Lifemiles plus minimal taxes and fees, delivering significantly more value than paying cash for the ticket.

Final Thoughts

Avianca now operates a seasonal nonstop route between San Francisco and Guatemala City through August 31, 2026. The 4x weekly service gives travelers an easier way to fly between the Bay Area and Guatemala while helping meet demand tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With 6 World Cup matches scheduled for the San Francisco Bay Area, the route should be especially useful for soccer fans traveling from Guatemala and other parts of Central America to attend the tournament.

Featured Image Credit: Ehsan Haque
Juan Ruiz's image

About Juan Ruiz

Juan is a leading expert in credit cards, loyalty programs, and airlines and hotels, with over a decade of experience helping readers and clients maximize points, miles, and travel value. His insights have appeared in prestigious outlets including USA Today, Travel & Leisure, CNN Underscored, Forbes, and The Points Guy, where he’s known for making complex travel strategies accessible and actionable. As the founder of JetBetter, Juan turns the complex world of points and miles into effortless, high-value travel, guiding clients through award redemptions, uncovering maximum value, and delivering stress-free, expertly planned trips that both travelers and industry insiders rely on.

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