Avianca is riding the wave of the return of travel and strengthening its links between the U.S. and Colombia.
The switch to the summer schedule in the coming March will bring with it 2 brand new routes between Colombia and the U.S. as well as the return of 1 route that was paused due to the pandemic.
The new U.S. routes are part of the launch of a total of 7 new routes to the airline’s network, as well as the reintroduction of 2 more.
Let’s find out more.
2 New Nonstop Routes to Colombia from the U.S.
Avianca’s new routes to the U.S. from Colombia will be from the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena (CTG) to New York (JFK), as well as from Medellín (MDE) to Orlando (MCO).
A map of Avianca’s new routes to the U.S. from Colombia. Image Credit: Great Circle MapperThe flight times for the daily round-trip route — starting March 27, 2022 — between Cartagena and New York are less than desirable:
- Depart Cartagena (CTG) 9:20 p.m. — Arrive New York (JFK) 3:15 a.m. (+1)
- Depart New York (JFK) 4:40 a.m. — Arrive Cartagena (CTG) 8:50 a.m.
JetBlue already operates a daily return service on the route. While its flight times are much more appealing, Avianca’s lower fares may go in its favor.
The flight times for the Medellín to Orlando route are far more sociable. The flights, which will start on March 29, 2022, will operate 3 times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with the following schedule:
- Depart Medellín (MDE) 1:10 p.m. — Arrive Orlando (MCO) 5:55 p.m.
- Depart Orlando (MCO) 7:20 p.m. — Arrive Medellín (MDE) 10 p.m.
Avianca will be up against ultra-low-cost airline Spirit, which already operates a daily return service on the route.
Both of the new routes will be operated by Avianca’s Airbus A320 aircraft, which feature 12 recliner seats in business class in a 2-2 configuration and 138 seats in economy in a standard 3-3 configuration.
Hot Tip: Learn more about Avianca’s direct routes to the U.S. (including plane types and seat options) as well as details on its Avianca LifeMiles loyalty program.
1 U.S. Route Returns
There’s more good news for Florida: as well as the new route from Medellín to Orlando, Miami (MIA) will welcome the return of its nonstop connection to Cartagena as of March 27, 2022.
The route will be serviced on a daily basis — also with an Airbus A320 — with the following schedule:
- Depart Cartagena (CTG) 12:05 p.m. — Arrive Miami (MIA) 4 p.m.
- Depart Miami (MIA) 6:20 p.m. — Arrive Cartagena (CTG) 8:05 p.m.
A day later on March 28, 2022, Avianca will relaunch its long-haul connection between Bogotá (BOG) and London-Heathrow (LHR).
Final Thoughts
The announcement of new routes is great for 2 reasons: it means more connections for U.S. citizens, but perhaps more importantly, that the aviation and travel industry is rebounding in such a way that it will support the expansion of airline route networks.
Given Avianca’s ambitious growth plans, we’re likely to hear of more new routes to the U.S. in the not-too-distant future.
Featured Image Credit:
Avianca