Avianca eyes 5 new routes from Florida to Latin America in 2025
Colombian airline Avianca is plotting a big U.S. expansion in 2025.
The Bogota-based carrier announced five new proposed routes Thursday, each of which would bring new nonstop Latin American flights to the state of Florida.
As part of Avianca's planned expansion, the carrier would launch its first-ever service from Tampa International Airport (TPA). And, it would add new (or additional) direct links between South Florida and destinations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Colombia itself.
In announcing the proposed expansion, Avianca executives spoke to strong demand for its service in the Sunshine State:
"Florida has historically been a key gateway for connections to Latin America, which is why it is essential for us to contribute to reuniting families, boosting tourism, and promoting business," Avianca CEO Frederico Pedreira said in a statement Thursday.
Related: Best travel credit cards
Avianca's planned routes
All of Avianca's proposed routes announced Thursday are subject to government approval. As such, the carrier has not yet announced start dates for the service.
That said, here are the routes the airline says it's eyeing:
TPA to El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Colombia
This service would give the Tampa Bay region its first-ever service aboard Avianca — not to mention a direct link to South America, which it currently lacks.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) in Medellin, Colombia
Fort Lauderdale would be the fourth continental U.S. city with a nonstop Avianca flight to Medellin. The carrier currently flies from the Colombian city to Miami, Orlando, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Medellin has seen an uptick in nonstop service from the U.S. of late, with United Airlines recently launching flights to the city from Houston.
Avianca will have some competition on the FLL-MDE route, which is currently flown by both JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
Miami International Airport (MIA) to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica
This isn't an entirely new route. Avianca last flew between Miami and the Costa Rican capital in 2022.
This addition by Avianca should inject some competition onto the MIA-SJO route, which is currently flown by Miami's leading carrier, American Airlines.
Read more: The 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for beach visits or hiking trips
Miami to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Avianca last flew this route in 2022, as well.
Currently, American is the only airline to operate service between the two cities.
Fort Lauderdale to Managua (and onto San Salvador)
Avianca is also proposing service between Fort Lauderdale and Managua, Nicaragua. As part of the setup, the aircraft would then continue on from Managua's Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) to El Salvador International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador — so travelers would likely be able to either book direct (one-stop) service to San Salvador, or book a nonstop flight to Managua.
The airline will likely announce more specific details of all of this service at a later date, though.
Spirit is currently the only U.S. airline with regular service between FLL and Managua.
Related: Is an Avianca LifeMiles+ subscription worth it?
Bottom line
Avianca's five new proposed routes from Florida come as the carrier has dramatically grown its footprint in North America.
In 2024, its total seats to the U.S. rose nearly 25% over 2023, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
In announcing its expansion Thursday, the carrier noted it will finish 2024 with eight new destinations across its network.
Meanwhile, the airline's LifeMiles loyalty program remains a popular transfer option for multiple credit card rewards, offering an avenue for even domestic U.S. flyers to book cheap award tickets on United — or flights aboard other Star Alliance partners like Air Canada.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month