Passenger already pays BRL 15 for water on flights in the Americas – 06/03/2023 – Panel SA

Not yet fully recovered from successive crises, airlines have sought to increase profitability by charging the most basic of flights.

Colombian Avianca now charges US$3 (about R$15) for a 600ml bottle of water on international flights to the Americas.

On the main stretch from Brazil — São Paulo-Bogotá — it takes about six hours without water or any other free beverage.

This also applies to the Caribbean and the US. The rule applies to any ticket category. When it comes to flights to Madrid, Barcelona, ​​London and Los Angeles, there is free meal service.

While Brazilians are still not used to paying for hold luggage, Avianca has set the price of R$ 278.26 for a carry-on bag with up to ten kilos.

The only free volume is the smaller one, which can be placed under the seat. Even check-in, when done at the counter, is paid.

Other companies, while still offering snacks and drinks, have implemented restrictions.

The Panamanian Copa Airlines, for example, no longer offers special meals, such as gluten-free ones. Those who want them need to buy them before boarding or take them from home.

Avianca is undergoing a resumption process, after a judicial recovery process, which started in 2020. This year, however, it announced more calls from Brazil, using Colombia as a hub for other destinations.

Until 2019, Avianca Brasil – which had a share of the owners of the Colombian headquarters, but a separate operation – made domestic flights in Brazil, but stopped offering them and went bankrupt.

When consulted, Copa Airlines says it enjoys financial health. Currently, it has returned to 80 destinations in 33 countries in the Americas. Regarding meals, he said he serves Kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free options on flights lasting more than 2 hours and in business class. Avianca did not respond.

With Diego Felix

PRESENT LINK: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release five free hits of any link per day. Just click the blue F below.