Avianca Adds INSIGNIA Business Class on Bogotá–New York 787 Flights

‍NEW YORK — Avianca (AV) will introduce its INSIGNIA business-class experience on flights to and from New York operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, adding a lie-flat premium product to one of the Colombian carrier’s most important U.S. routes.

Customers can now book INSIGNIA on Boeing 787 flights between Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), with the first flights under the concept scheduled to operate from August 4, the airline said in a July 15 announcement.

Avianca currently operates three daily flights on the Bogotá–New York route using a mix of Airbus A320-family aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The airline said it operates more than 90 weekly flights across eight routes from New York, calling itself the city’s largest international operator.

Lie-Flat Product on a High-Demand Route

INSIGNIA is Avianca’s premium long-haul business-class product. On 787-operated flights, the experience includes 180-degree lie-flat seats, a Mola Sasa amenity kit with Loto del Sur products, a welcome beverage, unlimited snacks, a curated selection of wines and spirits, individual seatback entertainment, and priority service.

The ground experience includes dedicated INSIGNIA by Avianca check-in in Bogotá, airport lounge access, priority boarding, one carry-on bag, two checked bags, and 10 LifeMiles for every dollar spent.

“New York is one of our most iconic routes and a key gateway for connectivity across the Americas,” Katherine Stradaioli, Avianca’s senior vice president of customer experience, said in the announcement.

A Premium Push Across Abra

The New York launch also fits into a broader premium-connectivity strategy at Abra Group, which controls Avianca and GOL.

GOL (G3), also part of Abra, began operating three weekly Rio de Janeiro/Galeão (GIG)–New York (JFK) flights on July 8 with its own INSIGNIA by GOL business-class cabin. That service is being operated with widebody Airbus A330 capacity as GOL returns to long-haul flying.

Together, the Avianca and GOL moves suggest Abra is using New York as a premium gateway for both Colombia and Brazil, while building more differentiated products on longer routes between Latin America and the United States.

Bottom Line

Avianca has spent recent years repositioning itself with a more segmented product model, simplifying parts of its short-haul offering while keeping premium cabins and higher-end service for long-haul and high-demand markets.

Adding INSIGNIA to New York does not change the airline’s network map, but it changes the commercial proposition on one of its most visible U.S. routes. The 787 allows Avianca to compete for higher-yield passengers who want a lie-flat seat, lounge access, and a fuller business-class experience on a route that carries a mix of corporate, leisure, VFR, and connecting traffic.

The move also gives Abra Group a clearer premium story in New York. Avianca is adding INSIGNIA from Bogotá, while GOL is entering the market from Rio de Janeiro. For a group built around Latin American connectivity, JFK is becoming a showcase for how it wants to serve higher-value long-haul demand.