When are the AV 787s in service ?

Old Feb 4, 2015, 11:59 am
  #31  
 
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Originally Posted by chauncey
Thanks for the information! When you say Rows 6-7 are in another cabin, is Row 6 separated from 5 with a bulkhead or galleys? The Avianca video of the 787 doesn't show much. Would Row 6 have the same problem of the screen on the wall, farther away (if that's true) as Row 1? Thanks again for the response. Let's hope Avianca adds the seat map to the fleet description, or to seat guru!
Row 6 and 7 are separated by a galley. I didn't walk back there, but I suspect that row 6 would have the same issue as Row 1.
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Old Feb 4, 2015, 12:05 pm
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Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia

There will now be widebody service to AMS, CDG, LHR, FRA, LIS, MAD and BCN
Speaking with gate agents at El Dorado, I've been told multiple times that TK is planning IST-BOG, but they have been having a problem getting space at El Dorado (that airport is too small). Makes sense now that there are no visa requirements between Colombia and Turkey.

Can anybody confirm.

(Btw, looks like we are off topic. Any mod can move this into a new thread or to an existing one. It's actually an interesting topic)
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Old Feb 4, 2015, 4:54 pm
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Originally Posted by FlyingIsCool
Speaking with gate agents at El Dorado, I've been told multiple times that TK is planning IST-BOG, but they have been having a problem getting space at El Dorado (that airport is too small). Makes sense now that there are no visa requirements between Colombia and Turkey.

Can anybody confirm.

(Btw, looks like we are off topic. Any mod can move this into a new thread or to an existing one. It's actually an interesting topic)
It's not off topic if TK operates IST BOG on one of AV's 787s

I have not heard of a direct flight being operated by TK, and that would be about 14 hours surely. That's a lot of time to spend in economy with Colombians

AV sells BOG MAD IST and BOG BCN IST on its website and both airlines codeshare on the other's metal
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Old Feb 6, 2015, 12:33 pm
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Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia
I have no idea where Colombians go, but bear in mind that in the second half of this year, Colombians will not need a visa to go to Schengenlandia. So it makes sense that there is going to be more capacity.
tourism, lots of Brits starting to come, Spanish not so much, but Germans are the biggest tourist group, Feeds in for Switzerland who also seem to be very fond of Colombia. Plenty of Scandinavian visitors and possibly they
There will now be widebody service to AMS, CDG, LHR, FRA, LIS, MAD and BCN

As an importer of foreigners, I have seen a shift over the last few years, Canadians not coming so much but Europe is really picking up for inbound come via AMS, I am not sure.

Spain obviously has the motherland connection and France has very long running commercial connections with Colombia.

LIS I am sure there is not much O&D traffic but for everything in Latin America that is not Brazil, BOG and PTY as Star Alliance hubs have the connections
Right you are, I didn't know that visa thing was official. That's great for Colombians and the air travel industry in the area. So many Colombians have family in Spain even with visa restrictions, now the more fortunate Colombians will travel way more freely and more students can go both ways. Should make for some economic gains and I think maybe some cultural gains too.

I don't want "my" Colombia spoiled by a whole bunch of European tourists, but from what I've been seeing thus far it's still mostly backpack crowds and I suppose coastal travelers, so I don't see too much of it. I can only assume this would be good for business for you too Johnny so that's good.

As far as the TK service goes, I realize some airlines are expanding or have already kinda rapidly done it, Emirates, Etihad and Turkish come to mind. But (and I don't wanna go super off topic) but is it just me or is Turkey not a major destination? I'd like to visit anywhere, and when it's cheap/convenient I'll connect anywhere, but like BOG-IST? I just don't see the point, now that these people can transit at LHR/FRA/CDG/MAD without visas, why fly way out of the way (unless you're connecting further east)?
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Old Feb 6, 2015, 2:09 pm
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Originally Posted by drvannostren

I don't want "my" Colombia spoiled by a whole bunch of European tourists, but from what I've been seeing thus far it's still mostly backpack crowds and I suppose coastal travelers, so I don't see too much of it. I can only assume this would be good for business for you too Johnny so that's good.
What have you got against Europeans? As someone that mainly visits Medelln you are unlikely to run into many European tourists for two reasons, a) Medelln is a bit crap for tourism and b) North Americans seem to prefer Medelln, Europeans prefer Bogot (Generally speaking of course)

You certainly get plenty of backpackers in Medelln and there are loads of hostels. Tourism hotspots from my perspective are Bogot/Coffee Zone/Cartagena and then your second tier places like Tayrona, the south of Colombia and Villa de Leyva, then San Gil and Barichara, and only then Medelln. Of those, the main destinations I'd say are brimming with tourists, but nice tourists not like the ones in Peru that think they are Phileas Fogg. Of course nobody in their right mind would go to Cali.

Originally Posted by drvannostren
As far as the TK service goes, I realize some airlines are expanding or have already kinda rapidly done it, Emirates, Etihad and Turkish come to mind. But (and I don't wanna go super off topic) but is it just me or is Turkey not a major destination? I'd like to visit anywhere, and when it's cheap/convenient I'll connect anywhere, but like BOG-IST? I just don't see the point, now that these people can transit at LHR/FRA/CDG/MAD without visas, why fly way out of the way (unless you're connecting further east)?
Are you asking if Turkey is not a major destination rhetorically? Because you then appear to contradict that by implying that nobody wants to go there. Or are you just saying that Colombians would be unlikely to want to go there? I think Turkey is a huge destination but Colombians are unlikely to want to schlep it all that way for a beach. If that's what you are saying then I agree. I'd fly to IST in TK business class if it was available. Where do I put my name down?

Now we have gone way off topic so I would like to add this video of a Viva Colombia A320 with an engine fire on the way to Medelln 2 days ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25vZvTcAjZg
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Old Feb 6, 2015, 4:01 pm
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I've got nothing against Europeans, I should've probably just said white people, but you said it's more Europeans than Canadians or Americans. I just like the fact that Colombia remains a bit unspoiled by tourism. I always hope they can improve the economy and if that's through tourism then by all means, but having been to Cartagena, my only beef outside the heat, was that no one seemed to be from Cartagena.

I agree Medellin isn't particularly touristy, it's something I struggle with. I love that it's not, but when people ask me what there is to do, I'm often left looking for answers, because I pretty much go there to chill, hang with friends and enjoy the weather. The city is great, I love the nice parts and the dirty parts, but I would be hard pressed to give someone a lengthy tour of Medellin, unless lengthy includes the traffic from one site to the next . Can't say I've been to Peru so I can't talk badly about their tourists without having seen it in action. I've been to Cali once, I'd go back if I had real motivation to, but I certainly didn't hate it.

No no, I wasn't asking rhetorically. I was asking legitimately. I honestly don't know that much about Turkey other than it's a very historic place, so I was asking if it's a big draw. I don't know anyone who's been there, nor anyone who has ever mentioned it either (Canadian or Colombian), I don't even think I've ever met a true Turkish person either (IE: born there or lived there at some point. So with the newish YYZ-IST AC flight, plus now the multiple frequencies from TK to YUL and YYZ, I was wondering if there's swaths of Canadians going to Turkey as tourists or if they're trying to make it like DXB and just have LOTS of people transiting there. My comment also was thinking as well that not many Colombians would have the motivation to transit there, or be tourists there because it SEEMS like a small niche to me.

I've heard TK is great, and Istanbul looks really cool from the pictures I've seen and very light research I've done. But I guess part of what I'm asking is what's better...BOG-LHR-XXX or BOG-MAD-XXX (XXX can be replaced with any European destination) or BOG-IST-XXX. The distance between MAD-IST is almost 1700 miles and almost 1500 miles more than LHR. So my thing was just would you rather fly all those extra miles only to backtrack? I'm also thinking more general public vs us crazy FFers. If you're going to DXB or DEL or maybe even some places in Africa then yea IST makes sense, but to back track to Europe it would have to be much cheaper for me to bother flying the extra miles.

Haha, love the video, no one seems to be too worried. I still wanna try VivaColombia, just to check out the product, but I always need the AV segments to bump me up and I buy them on sale so the prices are competitive.
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Old Feb 7, 2015, 3:51 pm
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Europeans are coming in increasing volumes, Canadians are decreasing a bit but there are still lots of Americans coming.

None of the sort of tourists that would spoil the scene though, I cannot speak for everyone but our Americans are very nice people, respectful and have a positive influence. They go sophisticated routes, travel responsibly and blend effortlessly into the landscape.

What I do like about Medelln is that it is to a degree immune from being spoiled by tourism, act up in the city and there is a real risk you will get shot by someone. I cannot see it getting loutish at any point.

I get your point about backtracking to Europe via IST but perhaps there are other destinations at play. If you plot the places that Colombians can travel to without a visa then it is quite curious and obviously it's a pain to go via the USA

So Turkey, I think is quite a big hitting destination in its own right, and I don't know any Colombians that have been there but do know people from other Latin American countries that have gone all that way for Turkey as a destination.

But IST is as logical a transit point as any for other destinations where Colombians do not need visas, SIN, HKG, MNL, MOW for example. Save for MNL I do know Colombians that have hoofed it to the others somehow, probably on a transit visa at FRA.

Anyway, back on topic. Being 14 hours ish and arguably quite a skinny route. Wouldn't BOG IST be ideal for the 787?
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Old Feb 8, 2015, 7:45 am
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Video showing the interior of the 787 cabin on Avianca.com:

Link

The audio is in Spanish, but it shows a lot of the business class cabin and a bit about economy.
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Old Feb 8, 2015, 11:25 am
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Originally Posted by FlyingIsCool
Row 6 and 7 are separated by a galley. I didn't walk back there, but I suspect that row 6 would have the same issue as Row 1.
Thanks, that's what I assumed. It sounds petty to complain now, since I'm excited for the plane and the new pods, but it's one of the reasons our original seat selections were Row 2 (before the equipment swap). I guess I should have called earlier, right after I noticed the change.

Regardless, I'm still really excited (even for Row 1 ), and will try to report back!
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Old Feb 9, 2015, 12:00 am
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Its a beauty of an aircraft from my experiences on AC and UA im hoping ANA is the same
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Old Mar 9, 2015, 6:22 am
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Can anyone help with confirming whether the Avianca's 787-8 business class seats are 'zodiac cirrus seat' or whether they are 'B/E Aerospace super Diamond' not relevant data out there to support an answer.
thanks
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Old Mar 23, 2015, 7:12 am
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Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia
Of course nobody in their right mind would go to Cali.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25vZvTcAjZg[/url]
Just curious, Johnny. Why do you say that? I have not yet visited Cali, but had planned to go after my move.

Some say that it is still dangerous, but I can't get any specifics. I asked my regular taxista in Medellin, and all that got me was a sales pitch for him to go and be my personal escort. "Muy peligroso," is all he would say.

I generally travel to the "good" parts of any city I visit, and (knock on wood) have never had a problem while visiting a new place. Wish I could say that about my 8 years of living in Costa Rica. Had a run of crime that began almost immediately after my move. It was just dumb luck (very BAD dumb luck), but left me questioning my decision until I got to know the place. Have not had a problem in many years since.

Looks like I'll finally be a legal resident of Medellin by June of this year, and I'm hoping to not repeat my Costa Rican Experience, so any advice about Cali will be greatly appreciated. You have been a great source of information on all things Colombian, so seems like a good opportunity to say, "Thank you!"
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Old Mar 23, 2015, 8:21 am
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Hi KenInEscazu

I'd say Cali has very little going for it. It is unattractive, it looks like a child ate an already ugly city then sicked it up again. There is very little to do there, look for tourism information and there is a bronze cat, that's about it. It's noisy and uncivilised, Cali is the Colombian capital of salsa, hearing salsa makes me want to fight with people. Go out on a Saturday night in the upmarket area near the cat and you'd be forgiven for thinking you were the only person that had that idea, there is nobody there, it's dead. The people are uncultured and overly proud of their crap town. A lot of the caleas have an abnormal amount of plastic surgery, they have a misguided vanity, the place is a toilet, I wish the earth would open up and swallow the dump. It's hot and dusty, and did I mention it is ugly?

As for safety, it is one of only two places in Colombia that still ranks in the top 20 cities in the world for homicides. The second place, which is higher ranking is Palmira, where CLO is. That on its own would not turn me off a place. I have never been murdered in Cali, it at least has that going for it.

On a positive note, the Hampton Cali is dirt cheap, with an MVP code and a weekend rate it can be had for about $35 per night, the supermarket over the junction is just fine. Obviously the taxi drivers cannot find the Hampton, what with it being a nine storey building cunningly hidden right next to all the other major hotels. I go to Cali because I have to occasionally for work, I could not imagine my going there voluntarily.
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Old Mar 24, 2015, 7:32 am
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Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia
Hi KenInEscazu

I'd say Cali has very little going for it. It is unattractive, it looks like a child ate an already ugly city then sicked it up again. There is very little to do there, look for tourism information and there is a bronze cat, that's about it. It's noisy and uncivilised, Cali is the Colombian capital of salsa, hearing salsa makes me want to fight with people. Go out on a Saturday night in the upmarket area near the cat and you'd be forgiven for thinking you were the only person that had that idea, there is nobody there, it's dead. The people are uncultured and overly proud of their crap town. A lot of the caleas have an abnormal amount of plastic surgery, they have a misguided vanity, the place is a toilet, I wish the earth would open up and swallow the dump. It's hot and dusty, and did I mention it is ugly?
Everybody is entitled to their opinion.

One thing I've learned from travelling is that no place is better or worse from another, simply different.

Everybody who I take to Cali ends of loving it. Ok, it's not the most gorgeous city in the world (but it is El sucursal del cielo). Too bad you don't like salsa. But if you do, this is definitely THE place to go. In my opinion, the main attraction of Cali is Salsa. Check out Delirio (http://delirio.com.co/es/) for example. Best time to go to Cali is during the Feria de Cali, Dec 25 - 30.
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Old Mar 24, 2015, 7:34 am
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Going back to the original topic of this thread, Avianca's 787 is on LIM-BOG AV24. I'm on it in J in mid May.

It's a short flight; less than 3 hours. Why would they put the 787 on this route?
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