Trip Report: Flying Avianca Airbus A320neo from Orlando to Bogotá

‍ORLANDO — This report covers my experience aboard Avianca (AV) flight 29 from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) on May 26. I had completed the opposite routing of this flight a few days prior as part of my return to Florida from Madrid. This is a separate trip.

Terminal C at MCO

Avianca operates from Terminal C at MCO, the airport's newest facility. The terminal opened in recent years, and the difference from the older A and B sides is immediate. The concourses are airy and well-designed, with a finish that feels closer to a modern international hub than a mid-size Florida airport. It was a pleasant place to begin an international departure and reflects well on where MCO is headed as it continues to grow.

Boarding

Boarding at MCO presented one notable friction point. Despite a full flight, Avianca had only a single passport scanner operational at the gate, which funneled all passengers through one line regardless of boarding group. 

The process moved slowly as a result, and the queue stretched back considerably before the gate area cleared. It is the kind of operational detail that does not reflect on the airline's product but does affect the pre-departure experience in a way that would be easy to fix.

One additional note for travelers on this route: Colombia requires proof of onward travel, and Avianca's system did not initially recognize my return flight to the United States, which was booked several weeks out on Delta. 

I was asked to show proof of onward travel at the gate before boarding was permitted. Travelers with open-jaw itineraries or returns booked on separate carriers should have documentation ready.

The aircraft and cabin

The aircraft was a A320neo. The cabin was consistent with Avianca's current narrowbody fleet, clean and well-presented for a roughly four-hour service. Seat 26A is a window on the left side of the aircraft toward the rear of the cabin.

The flight was fully booked, and the close quarters of a full narrowbody on an international crossing were felt, though not unpleasantly so.

Departure

AV 29 pushed back six minutes ahead of schedule at 15:04 EST. The routing south from Orlando tracks out over Florida before crossing the Caribbean, and the early afternoon departure offered clear views of the coastline below before the aircraft settled into the crossing.

Snack service

Avianca provided a complimentary snack and drink service during the flight. The snack was the cheese bread crisps that also appeared as a pre-landing offering on the Madrid to Bogotá service earlier in the trip. They are a recurring feature of Avianca's economy catering and a welcome one. The service was efficient, and the crew attentive on what was a full and busy cabin.

Arrival in Bogotá

AV 29 touched down at El Dorado at 17:54 local time, 21 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival. The weather on arrival was rainy, with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius, consistent with Bogotá's characteristic afternoon showers at elevation. 

On the ramp, I spotted the same Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900 that had been present on my earlier arrival, suggesting a regular rotation through BOG. Also visible were a fleet of Satena SAAB aircraft and CLIC ATRs, a reminder of the breadth of Colombia's domestic and regional aviation network operating out of El Dorado.

Immigration and Colombia's migration system

Immigration at BOG was straightforward and moved without significant delay. What is worth noting for first-time visitors is how deeply integrated Colombia's migration infrastructure has become across the travel ecosystem. The country's MIG Colombia system connects with airlines, hotels, and other service providers, meaning discrepancies in your travel documentation can surface at multiple points in the journey. 

When I checked into my hostel in Bogotá, the process required completing an online registration and uploading a copy of my passport stamp before the check-in could be completed. It is a more joined-up approach to migration tracking than most countries operate, and travelers should be prepared for it.

Onward to Medellin

After clearing immigration, I walked to the domestic side of El Dorado to connect to Medellin. Avianca operates the route at roughly 30-minute intervals, and I was able to move onto an earlier departure for $30 USD at the counter, a flexible and cost-effective option that speaks to the frequency and accessibility of Colombia's domestic air network.

Conclusion

AV 29 was a solid if unremarkable narrowbody international service. The early arrival, the complimentary catering, and the clean A320neo cabin all reflected well on Avianca. The single boarding scanner at MCO was the one operational low point. For travelers heading to Colombia for the first time, the migration system integration is worth understanding in advance. 

One of the most overlooked yet important steps when traveling to Colombia is completing the MIG (Migration pre-arrival form) before you board your flight. It is not burdensome once you know what to expect, but it can catch travelers off guard if they do not.