Flying Avianca with Kids: Bassinets, Family Boarding & Infant Policies
Per Avianca's published policy, families with children under 6 pre-board BEFORE LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elites — a broader threshold than most US carriers offer.
- Verified against 4 official sources
- Cites FAA & airline policy pages, not blogs
- Published by Velivolo, family travel platform
- Reviewed quarterly for policy changes
Atomic 1-line answers — copy any one for a featured snippet.
- 1Per Avianca's published policy, lap infants aged 8 days through 24 months pay 10% of the adult fare plus taxes on both domestic Colombia and international flights.
- 2Per Avianca's published policy, families with children under 6 pre-board before LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elite members.
- 3Per Avianca's published policy, bassinets are available on A330 and 787-8 wide-body aircraft only — the A320 family narrow-body fleet does not offer bassinets.
- 4Per Avianca's published policy, adding a lap infant post-booking is not supported online and requires contact via phone, WhatsApp, or an airport counter.
- 5Per Avianca's published policy, unaccompanied minor service is restricted to non-stop flights on Avianca metal — connecting itineraries are not accepted.
Per Avianca's published policy, lap infants aged 8 days through 24 months pay 10% on all routes — domestic Colombia and international — with no online post-booking add, requiring phone or WhatsApp contact. The standout upside is family pre-boarding for children under 6, called before LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elites — broader than most US carriers. Bassinets are available on A330 and 787-8 wide-body flights only; the A320 narrow-body fleet does not offer them. Stroller and car seat checks are free gate-side on wide-body routes.
How family-friendly is Avianca?
We score every airline on six factors that matter to parents — from lap-infant cost to gate-checking gear. Here's how Avianca performs.
Weighted across 6 family-travel factors. Updated May 4, 2026.
Score is consistent across all Velivolo airline guides — directly comparable.
Tap any category to see why it earned this score.
Does Avianca charge for lap infants?
Per Avianca's published policy, infants aged 8 days through 24 months may travel as lap infants at 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes, on both domestic Colombia flights and international routes. There is no fare-free domestic market for lap infants on Avianca.
Per Avianca's published policy, the 10% lap-infant fare applies on both Colombia domestic and international itineraries, plus applicable taxes and government fees. On a typical Bogota-Miami round-trip with adult fare of USD 600, expect roughly USD 60 plus USD 30-50 in taxes for the infant. Confirm the operating carrier on each segment — codeshare-operated legs may carry different fees.
Purchasing a separate seat makes sense on flights exceeding 4 hours, when traveling solo with more than one child, or when planning to use an FAA-approved child restraint system. Per Avianca's published fare rules, the infant-with-seat fare is the standard child fare on most routes, with applicable taxes. The FAA strongly recommends a CRS in its own seat for under-2 travelers — verify the CRS is FAA-approved before checking in.
- One lap infant per fare-paying adult — a second infant on the same adult requires a purchased seat
- Lap infants do not receive their own carry-on allowance beyond the diaper bag
- If the infant turns 2 during a round trip, the return leg requires a paid seat
- Online post-booking add is not supported — phone, WhatsApp, or airport counter required
- Newborn minimum age is 8 days — premature infants may require additional medical documentation
Source: Avianca official policy
How to add an infant to your Avianca booking
Per Avianca's published policy, adding a lap infant to an existing booking is not supported online post-purchase. Parents must contact Avianca via phone, WhatsApp, or in person at an airport counter to attach an infant to a confirmed adult reservation.
- 1
Book your adult ticket first at avianca.com or through a travel agent.
- 2
Gather the infant's full legal name, date of birth, and travel document number before contacting Avianca.
- 3
Reach Avianca's Contact Center via phone or WhatsApp to add the infant to your existing reservation — provide your booking confirmation (PNR) number.
- 4
Alternatively, visit an Avianca airport counter at least 2 hours before departure to add the infant in person.
- 5
Request an updated booking confirmation listing both the adult and infant passengers and verify the infant fare has been correctly applied.
- Adult booking confirmation (PNR) number
- Infant's full legal name (must match travel document exactly)
- Infant's date of birth
- Birth certificate (domestic) or passport number (international)
Because post-booking online add is not supported, parents should plan to contact Avianca as soon as the adult ticket is confirmed — ideally within 24 hours of booking. Waiting until close to departure can create complications, particularly for international itineraries where document verification is required. Airport counter add is available but creates time pressure on the day of travel.
Already booked? See Lap Infant Policy for cost details, or Stroller & Car Seat to plan your gate-check.
Source: Avianca official policy
Does Avianca have family boarding?
Per Avianca's published policy, families traveling with children under 6 years of age are invited to board before LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elite members — a broader threshold than most US legacy carriers, which typically pre-board families with children under 2 or under 5.
Family Boarding
- Available
- Yes
- Boarding zone
- Before LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elites
- Age eligibility
- Children under 6 years of age
- Travel with at least one child under 6 years old
- No additional fee — included with standard ticket
- Listen for family boarding announcement at the gate
Seating Together
Seat adjacency for children is not contractually guaranteed by Avianca.
Per Avianca's published policy, adjacency for children traveling with adults is best-effort, not contractually guaranteed. Basic-economy (Economy Lite) fares on Avianca charge for advance seat selection, meaning families who do not pay for seat assignments may be allocated seats in different rows at check-in. To secure adjacent seats, parents should purchase seat selection at booking — fees vary by route and fare class. The family pre-boarding benefit allows earlier boarding but does not substitute for pre-assigned adjacent seats.
Source: Avianca official policy
Avianca stroller & car seat policy
Per Avianca's published policy, one stroller and one car seat per child are checked free, either at the gate or at the ticket counter. On wide-body international flights, gate-check items are returned at the jet bridge. On intra-Colombia regional routes operated by Embraer 190 and ATR-72 aircraft, strollers may be returned at the baggage carousel due to cargo-hold access limitations.
| Item | Fee | Where to Check | Size Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard Stroller Gate or counter · Up to 10 kg / 22 lbs folded Jet-bridge return on wide-body international routes; carousel return possible on Embraer 190 and ATR-72 regional routes. | Free | Gate or counter | Up to 10 kg / 22 lbs folded |
Car Seat Gate or counter · FAA, R44, R129, or Aerocivil-approved for in-cabin use One per child checked free; FAA/R44/R129/Aerocivil approval required if using in-cabin in a purchased seat. | Free | Gate or counter | FAA, R44, R129, or Aerocivil-approved for in-cabin use |
Booster Seat Gate or counter · Treated as child safety device Checked under the same child-equipment allowance as car seats; backless boosters without harnesses are not FAA-approved for in-flight use. | Free | Gate or counter | Treated as child safety device |
Pack-and-Play / Travel Crib Counter only · Standard checked-bag dimensions apply Not included in the free child-equipment allowance — subject to standard checked-bag fees. | Counts as checked bag | Counter only | Standard checked-bag dimensions apply |
Tag your stroller and car seat at the ticket counter during check-in — agents process child gear tagging more efficiently before the gate area fills.
Use the stroller through the terminal and through the security checkpoint — TSA and Aerocivil (Colombia) allow strollers to be pushed through screening.
Walk to the boarding gate and continue using the stroller until you reach the jet bridge door.
Hand gate-check items to the Avianca gate agent at the jet bridge entrance — they will attach a gate-check tag if not already tagged.
On wide-body international flights, collect the stroller and car seat at the jet bridge upon arrival; on regional Embraer 190 or ATR-72 routes, proceed to baggage claim.
Diaper Bag
Per Avianca's published policy, a diaper bag is exempt from the standard carry-on and personal item allowance. This is a parent-friendly policy that matches most Latin American flag carriers. Parents should pack essentials — diapers, wipes, formula, baby food jars, and a change of clothes — in the diaper bag, particularly on long Bogotá–Europe or Bogotá–North America wide-body routes where no diapers are published as stocked on board.
Source: Avianca official policy
Baggage allowance for kids on Avianca
Per Avianca's published policy, ticketed children receive the same checked baggage allowance as adults within their fare class. Lap infants traveling on international routes receive 1 free checked piece up to 10 kg. The diaper bag is exempt from carry-on limits for all passengers traveling with infants.
| Age Group | Carry-On | Personal Item | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Lap Infant (8 days–24 months) No paid seat means no independent baggage allowance beyond the diaper bag and the 1 international checked piece. | None independently (diaper bag exempt and shared with parent) | Diaper bag free and not counted toward carry-on | 1 free piece up to 10 kg on international routes |
Infant with Purchased Seat (Under 2) Purchasing a seat gives the infant full adult-equivalent baggage rights for their fare class. | Same carry-on allowance as adult fare class | 1 personal item plus diaper bag | Same checked allowance as adult fare class |
Child 2+ (Full Fare) All children 2 and older pay adult fare and receive full adult baggage rights; no separate child-baggage discount applies. | Same carry-on allowance as adult fare class | 1 personal item allowed | Same checked allowance as adult fare class |
Source: Avianca official policy
Does Avianca have bassinets and onboard amenities for babies?
Per Avianca's published policy, bassinets are available on Airbus A330 and Boeing 787-8 wide-body aircraft with a weight cap of 11 kg / 74 cm and an age limit of under 12 months. Avianca's A320 family narrow-body fleet — used extensively on intra-Colombia and short-haul routes — does not offer bassinets.
Per Avianca's published policy, bassinet requests should be made at the time of booking or via Avianca's Contact Center — phone or WhatsApp. Up to 3 bassinets are available per aircraft on A330 and 787-8 routes. Bulkhead seat selection in Economy Lite carries an extra fee of approximately USD 20–60; parents should confirm bassinet availability at booking since the cap of 3 per aircraft can fill on peak routes such as Bogotá–Madrid and Bogotá–Miami.
In-flight amenities for kids
Per Avianca's published policy, pureed-jar baby meals are available on long-haul wide-body flights (A330 and 787-8) and must be requested in advance as a Special Meal (SPML). Parents should request the baby meal at booking or at least 24 hours before departure via the Contact Center. No baby meals are published for A320 narrow-body or short regional routes.
Per Avianca's published policy, children's Special Purpose Meals (SPMLs) — including vegetarian and gluten-free options — are available on wide-body international flights and must be pre-ordered. Parents should confirm SPML availability when booking and re-confirm via the Contact Center if changing flights. No kids' meals are offered on A320 short-haul or Embraer 190 / ATR-72 regional routes.
Per Avianca's published policy, the 787-8 and A330 wide-body aircraft feature seat-back IFE with a dedicated children's channel. The A320 narrow-body and regional Embraer 190 / ATR-72 fleet do not have seat-back screens. Parents on narrow-body routes should pre-load tablets with downloaded content and bring child-size headphones.
Standard lavatories on Avianca's A330 and 787-8 wide-body aircraft include fold-down changing tables. The A320 family also features fold-down changing surfaces in lavatories, though space is more limited. No diapers are published as stocked on board — pack adequate diapers, wipes, and a small changing pad in the diaper bag.
Cabin crew on Avianca wide-body flights can warm bottles and baby food jars on request. Parents should ask crew shortly after boarding or after meal service begins. On shorter A320 and regional flights, galley resources are more limited — carry a travel bottle warmer or insulated bottle as backup.
Source: Avianca official policy
Do kids fly free or get a discount on Avianca?
Per Avianca's published policy, a modest child fare discount is available on select fare classes, comparable to approximately 10–25% off the adult base fare depending on route and booking class. The discount is fare-class-restricted and not available on all ticket types.
- Age range
- 2–11 years
- Discount
- Approximately 10–25% off adult base fare (fare-class-restricted)
- Discount applies to select fare classes only — not available on all Economy Lite or promotional fares
- Child must be between 2 and 11 years of age at time of travel
- Discount may vary by route and booking class; verify at time of booking
- Not combinable with all promotional fares
Per Avianca's published policy, children aged 2–11 may qualify for a reduced fare on select booking classes, with discounts of approximately 10–25% off the adult base fare. This is comparable to what Aeromexico offers in the LATAM cluster. The discount is fare-class-restricted, meaning it applies primarily to Standard and Flex fare categories rather than Economy Lite budget fares. Parents booking on promotional or sale fares may not see the child discount applied — the best practice is to search with the child's age entered at booking to see if a reduced rate is displayed for the specific route and date.
Source: Avianca official policy
Avianca unaccompanied minor policy
Per Avianca's published policy, unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children aged 5–11 and optional for ages 12–17. The service is available on non-stop flights operated by Avianca metal only — connecting itineraries are not accepted. Booking is via phone, WhatsApp, or Avianca's Contact Center in Spanish and English.
Per Avianca's published policy, children under 5 years of age may not travel as unaccompanied minors under any circumstances — they must be accompanied by a passenger aged 16 or older.
Per Avianca's published policy, unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children aged 5–11. Fees are COP 235,000 (~USD 57) for domestic Colombia flights, USD 100 for short-haul international routes, and USD 150 for long-haul international routes. Service is restricted to non-stop flights on Avianca metal only.
Per Avianca's published policy, children aged 12–17 may travel as adults without mandatory UM service. However, parents may optionally purchase UM service for ages 12–17 for additional supervision; fees and availability should be confirmed via the Contact Center.
- Non-stop flights on Avianca metal only — connecting itineraries are not accepted
- Children under 5 cannot travel as unaccompanied minors
- Cannot book on code-share or partner-operated flights
- Service available in Spanish and English via Avianca's Contact Center
- 1
Contact Avianca's Contact Center via phone or WhatsApp — UM service cannot be booked online.
- 2
Provide the child's full name, date of birth, travel document, and flight details (non-stop Avianca-operated only).
- 3
Provide full details for the drop-off adult and the pick-up adult at the destination: name, relationship, phone number, and government-issued ID.
- 4
Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before departure to complete UM paperwork at the ticket counter.
- 5
The pick-up adult at the destination must present matching government-issued ID before the child is released.
Source: Avianca official policy
How Avianca stacks up for families in the LATAM cluster and Star Alliance
Avianca holds a distinctive position in the LATAM cluster: founded in 1919, the carrier is the world's second-oldest operating airline. Star Alliance membership continued through Chapter 11 (filed May 2020, emerged December 2021), and United Airlines' 5% strategic stake in the carrier remains in place through 2026. These structural facts matter to families building long-haul itineraries that combine Avianca with Star partners.
On family boarding, Avianca leads the LATAM cluster. Per Avianca's published policy, children under 6 board before LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elites — a broader threshold than Aeromexico, which pre-boards families with children under 4 before its own elite tiers. LATAM Airlines pre-boards under-5, while both US legacies United Airlines and Alaska Airlines use under-2 or narrower thresholds in some markets.
Families with children under 6 board before Star Alliance Gold elites — Avianca's broadest-in-cluster pre-boarding threshold.
On bassinets, Avianca covers its A330 and 787-8 wide-body fleet with an 11 kg / 74 cm cap for infants under 12 months — comparable to what LATAM Airlines offers on its 787 and A350 routes. Aeromexico limits bassinets to 787-only. Per Avianca's published policy, by contrast, Star Alliance partner Singapore Airlines sets the industry-highest cap at 14 kg / 30.8 lb and auto-allocates bassinet bulkhead seats at booking — a service level the airline does not match.
The most parent-relevant friction is the online-add gap. Per Avianca's published policy, lap-infant additions post-booking require phone, WhatsApp, or airport counter contact — the strictest such limitation in the LATAM cluster. The fix: add the infant at the initial booking stage.
The verdict: Avianca is a solid Star Alliance LATAM carrier for families on Bogotá-hub wide-body itineraries, with better pre-boarding than most regional peers, but the phone-only post-booking add and narrow-body bassinet absence require planning — the Velivolo guide index covers the full LATAM-cluster comparison.
See the full breakdown in the airline comparison table below.
Avianca for families: pros & cons
What works and what doesn't when flying Avianca with kids.
Family Pros
- Families with children under 6 board before LifeMiles Diamond and Star Alliance Gold elites — broader threshold than most US carriers
- Stroller and car seat checked free per child on wide-body international flights, with jet-bridge return
- Bassinets available on A330 and 787-8 wide-body fleet with 11 kg / 74 cm cap for infants under 12 months
- Diaper bag exempt from carry-on count on all Avianca flights
- LifeMiles miles earned on every flight and cross-redeemable with Star Alliance partners including Lufthansa and United
Family Cons
- Lap-infant add post-booking is not supported online — phone, WhatsApp, or airport counter required
- 10% lap-infant fare on domestic Colombia AND international routes — no fare-free domestic market
- A320 narrow-body fleet (most intra-Colombia routes) does not offer bassinets
- Embraer 190 and ATR-72 regional routes may return strollers at the carousel rather than at the jet bridge
- Unaccompanied minor service limited to non-stop Avianca-metal flights only — no connecting itineraries
Don't forget anything before your Avianca flight
An interactive checklist tailored to Avianca's family policies. Your progress saves to your browser automatically.
Your Avianca pre-flight checklist
12 tactical tasks across five timing phases based on Avianca's specific family policies, from Bogotá-hub wide-body routes to intra-Colombia regional connections.
Insider tips for flying Avianca with kids
Practical advice you won't find on the airline's own page.
Add infant at first booking
Per Avianca's published policy, online post-booking infant addition is not supported. The single most effective action is to add the lap infant at the initial booking stage — either online during the original purchase flow or immediately via WhatsApp and the Contact Center. Waiting until close to departure creates documentation and check-in friction.
Reserve bassinets early on wide-body routes
Per Avianca's published policy, only 3 bassinets are available per aircraft on A330 and 787-8 flights. On peak Bogotá–Madrid and Bogotá–Miami routes, these fill quickly. Request the bassinet at the time of booking via phone or WhatsApp, confirm the bulkhead seat selection fee (~USD 20–60 in Economy Lite), and reconfirm the reservation 24 hours before departure.
Plan for regional stroller carousel returns
Per Avianca's published information, Embraer 190 and ATR-72 aircraft on intra-Colombia routes have limited cargo-hold access, meaning strollers may be returned at the baggage carousel rather than at the jet bridge. On domestic Colombia connections, build extra time at the arrival airport to retrieve gear from the carousel before making ground transport.
Use WhatsApp for faster Contact Center access
Avianca's Contact Center is available via WhatsApp in addition to phone — useful for adding lap infants, requesting bassinets, booking unaccompanied minor service, or pre-ordering Special Purpose Meals. WhatsApp contact can be faster than phone during peak booking windows and is available in both Spanish and English for international travelers.
How Avianca compares to other carriers for family travel
Side-by-side family policies for Avianca and three key competitors. Scores reflect overall family-friendliness on a 10-point scale.
| Airline | Lap Infant | Family Boarding | Stroller | Car Seat | Diaper Bag | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AviancaThis guide | 10% both routes | Yes — before Star Gold | Free (10 kg limit) | Free | Free + exempt from carry-on | 5.8 |
| LATAM Airlines | 10% both routes | Yes — before elite | Free | Free | Free + exempt | 6.0 |
| Aeromexico | 10% both routes | Yes — before elite | Free | Free | Free + exempt | 6.2 |
| United Airlines | Free (US) / 10% intl | Yes — Group 1.5 | Free | Free | Free + exempt | 6.5 |
Avianca family travel FAQ
Quick answers to the most-asked questions about flying Avianca with babies and kids.
Are infants charged a fare on Avianca?
Per Avianca's published policy, lap infants aged 8 days through 24 months are charged 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes on both domestic Colombia flights and international routes. Unlike some US carriers such as Alaska Airlines — which waives the lap-infant fare on Alaska-operated domestic and international flights — Avianca applies the 10% charge on every market it serves. The practical cost varies by route: a Bogotá–Miami adult fare would generate an approximately 10% infant fare before fuel surcharges and taxes. Families should verify the total infant cost at the time of booking, as taxes and surcharges on international itineraries can add USD 20–50 to the effective infant cost. Always verify current fees directly at avianca.com before booking.
Does my infant need their own seat on Avianca?
Per Avianca's published policy, infants aged 8 days through 24 months may travel as lap infants without a purchased seat, paying 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. Lap infants do not receive their own carry-on allowance beyond the exempt diaper bag. However, parents may choose to purchase a separate seat for their infant and use an FAA, R44, R129, or Aerocivil-approved child restraint system in the cabin — a choice the FAA strongly recommends for children under 2. If an infant turns 2 during a round trip, the return leg requires a purchased seat. Parents traveling with multiple infants may need to purchase a seat for the second child, as only one lap infant is permitted per fare-paying adult. Always verify directly at avianca.com before booking.
Can I reserve an Avianca bassinet?
Per Avianca's published policy, bassinets are available on Airbus A330 and Boeing 787-8 wide-body aircraft, with a weight cap of 11 kg / 74 cm and an age limit of under 12 months. Up to 3 bassinets are available per aircraft. To reserve a bassinet, parents should contact Avianca's Contact Center via phone or WhatsApp at the time of booking or as early as possible — bassinet spots on peak wide-body routes such as Bogotá–Madrid and Bogotá–Miami fill quickly. Bulkhead seat selection, required for bassinet use, carries an extra charge of approximately USD 20–60 in Economy Lite fare classes. The A320 family narrow-body fleet used on most intra-Colombia and short-haul routes does NOT offer bassinets. Always confirm bassinet availability directly with Avianca before travel.
What is the child baggage allowance on Avianca?
Per Avianca's published policy, ticketed children receive the same checked baggage allowance as adults within their fare class — no reduced or child-specific checked bag limit applies. Lap infants traveling on international routes receive 1 free checked piece up to 10 kg in addition to the parent's own allowance. For domestic Colombia flights, lap infant baggage entitlements should be confirmed at booking, as intra-Colombia rules may differ. The diaper bag is exempt from the carry-on and personal item count for all passengers traveling with infants. Children aged 2 and older traveling on purchased seats receive full adult-equivalent baggage rights for their fare class. Always verify current baggage allowances at avianca.com, as rules may vary by route and fare category.
What are Avianca's unaccompanied minor rules?
Per Avianca's published policy, unaccompanied minor (UM) service is mandatory for children aged 5–11 and optional for ages 12–17. Children under 5 may not travel unaccompanied. The service fee is COP 235,000 (~USD 57) for domestic Colombia flights, USD 100 for short-haul international routes, and USD 150 for long-haul international routes. A critical restriction: UM service is available on non-stop flights operated by Avianca metal only — connecting itineraries are not accepted. Booking must be completed via phone or WhatsApp through Avianca's Contact Center; online booking is not supported. Parents must provide full details for both the drop-off and pick-up adults, and the pick-up adult must present matching government-issued ID at the destination airport before the child is released. Always confirm UM availability directly via the Contact Center before booking.
Is Avelo the same airline as Avianca?
No — Avelo Airlines and Avianca are completely unrelated airlines with no shared ownership, history, or operations. Avelo Airlines is a US ultra-low-cost carrier founded in 2021 and operating domestic US routes from smaller secondary airports such as Burbank, New Haven, and Wilmington. Avianca is a Colombian flag carrier founded in 1919, making it the world's second-oldest continuously operating airline. Avianca is headquartered in Bogotá, operates throughout Latin America and on long-haul international routes, and is a member of Star Alliance. The naming similarity is coincidental — the two carriers have completely different ownership, hubs, alliance memberships, and route networks. Parents researching Avianca's family policies should verify they are on avianca.com, not aveloair.com.
Does Avianca allow you to add a lap infant online after booking?
Per Avianca's published policy, adding a lap infant to an existing booking is not supported online post-purchase. Parents who have already completed an adult booking must contact Avianca through one of three channels: the Contact Center by phone, WhatsApp (available in Spanish and English), or in person at an Avianca airport counter. This is the strictest online-add gap among LATAM cluster carriers — LATAM Airlines supports online infant add with limitations, while Aeromexico also has some online add capability. The most efficient workaround is to add the infant at the initial booking stage before purchase is complete. If that window is missed, contacting Avianca via WhatsApp tends to be faster than phone during peak booking periods. Always verify the updated booking confirmation listing both adult and infant before traveling.
Does Avianca pre-board families before elite passengers?
Per Avianca's published policy, families traveling with children under 6 years of age are invited to board before LifeMiles Diamond members and Star Alliance Gold elite passengers — a broader pre-boarding age threshold than most US legacy carriers, which typically use under-2 or under-5 cutoffs. In the LATAM cluster, Aeromexico pre-boards families with children under 4 before its own elite tiers, while LATAM Airlines uses an under-5 threshold before its Black Signature elites. Avianca's under-6 cutoff is the broadest in the cluster. Note that family pre-boarding does not guarantee adjacent seating — parents should purchase seat selection in advance to secure seats together, as adjacency is not contractually guaranteed by the airline. Always listen for the family boarding announcement at the gate, as boarding sequencing can vary by airport.
Are strollers free to gate-check on Avianca?
Per Avianca's published policy, one stroller per child is checked free of charge, either at the ticket counter or at the gate. On wide-body international flights (A330 and 787-8), gate-check strollers are typically returned at the jet bridge upon arrival. However, on intra-Colombia regional routes operated by Embraer 190 and ATR-72 aircraft, limited cargo-hold access means strollers may be returned at the baggage carousel rather than at the jet bridge — a meaningful operational difference for families making same-terminal connections. The free stroller check applies to standard strollers within the 10 kg / 22 lbs folded weight limit. Pack-and-play / travel cribs are not included in the free child-equipment allowance and are charged as standard checked bags. Always verify current stroller policies directly at avianca.com before departure.
Did Avianca survive bankruptcy? Is it still flying?
Per publicly available information, Avianca filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in May 2020 and successfully emerged from restructuring in December 2021. The airline has continued operating throughout the restructuring period and remains active in 2026. Avianca's Star Alliance membership was maintained uninterrupted throughout the Chapter 11 process — a notable distinction in the Latin American carrier landscape. United Airlines holds a 5% strategic equity stake in the carrier, which continues through 2026. The post-restructuring Avianca operates a streamlined network from its Bogotá (BOG) primary hub and secondary hubs in San Salvador (SAL), San José (SJO), and Lima (LIM). Families can book and travel on Avianca with confidence that the carrier is in active operation; always verify schedule availability directly at avianca.com.
What is Avianca's LifeMiles program for families?
Per Avianca's published information, LifeMiles is Avianca's frequent-flyer loyalty program, with miles earned on Avianca flights and redeemable with Star Alliance partners. Families flying Avianca accrue LifeMiles based on fare class and distance, and those miles can be used for award travel on Star Alliance carriers including Lufthansa, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. LifeMiles underwent consolidation as part of Avianca's post-Chapter 11 restructuring and continues operating as the carrier's loyalty currency in 2026. For families building long-haul itineraries combining Avianca with Star Alliance partners, LifeMiles accrual on Bogotá-hub routes can contribute toward future family award travel. Verify current earning rates and redemption options at lifemiles.com or avianca.com, as program terms are subject to change.
Compare similar airlines for family travel
Lia is the foremost expert in child passenger safety in aviation. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with credentials in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, she built Velivolo to give every parent instant access to verified airline policies and trusted gear recommendations. Her work has been recognized by Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, in his book "How to Win at Travel."
Sources
Last reviewed: May 4, 2026 · Reviewed quarterly for accuracy
- 1Avianca — Traveling with Children (2026)Lap-infant, stroller, bassinet, family boarding, and UM policies.Open source
- 2Avianca — Baggage Policy (2026)Carry-on, checked bag, and child-specific baggage allowances.Open source
- 3FAA — Flying with Children (2026)FAA child restraint certification and in-flight safety requirements.Open source
- 4US DOT — Family Seating Dashboard (2024)Airlines' commitment to seat children adjacent to accompanying adults.Open source
Prep your Avianca family trip with confidence
Velivolo summarizes Avianca's published family policies — infant fares, bassinets, stroller logistics, and boarding sequences — so parents can plan from Bogotá to Madrid, Miami, or anywhere in the Star Alliance network without surprises.