The positive:
1. I reached my destination safely.
2. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, they made changes to my 2nd connecting flight and made it earlier, rather than me waiting for a 5 hour connection. I arrived a lot earlier than planned, woohoo!!
3. In Brazil on departure, the check in gate they have been consistently nice, professional and friendly in Salvador, Bahia.
The negative: 1. The check-in process at Dulles International (USA), was a hectic, confusing, nightmare. They were short staffed and the line was the longest of all the airlines. Once at the counter, she said run to my gate. I made it, barely.
2. On the plane departure from IAD, there was a 45 minute delay beforen take-off. They didn't explain much, only after 30 minutes they explained they had mechanical issues and there was a storm further south. Thus 2 reasons for the delay.
3. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, the stewardess' on the plane did not greet me when I got on, they were too caught up in personal chit chat, not welcoming.
4. They lost my luggage. I arrived to my destination Saturday morning. After a very long process explaining next steps to retreive it, it arived to my hotel Monday evening 6 pm. Apparently, my luggage did not make it to my plane I left out on in time for departure. Hence, the chaotic check-in process was just that, chaotic. I realized this on a connecting flight connection. I had to file paper work in Sao Paulo. You just have to trust it will all work out when your luggage does not drive as planned.
Bottom line, I know I will afely reach my destination with Avianca, however after flying with them several times now to Brazil and back, customer service is sort of hit or miss. I don't expect high customer satisfaction. read more