Flying Avianca’s Boeing 787-8 from Madrid to Bogotá

‍MADRID — This report covers my experience aboard Avianca (AV) flight 183 from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) to Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG) operated in May 2026. The flight was a connecting leg in a longer itinerary, with a subsequent Avianca service onward to Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Terminal and gate

Avianca operates from the S gates at MAD, a satellite terminal accessed from the main Terminal 4 building. The S and M gates at Barajas serve as the primary hub for long-haul and widebody operations, and the setup reflects that purpose.

The satellite has a calm, well-organized feel suited to intercontinental departures. My gate was in the S terminal, and the walk from T4 was straightforward.

Boarding, fare class, and seat

Avianca begins boarding a full hour before departure on this route, which gives the process plenty of time to unfold without pressure. The boarding took roughly 20 minutes, which is efficient for a widebody transatlantic service. The agents moved things along without excessive document checks or delays at the gate, and the whole experience had an easy, unhurried rhythm. We departed one minute ahead of schedule.

My ticket was Economy Light, Avianca's entry-level economy fare on international routes. Despite being the base tier, Economy Light on this service included a checked bag, a carry-on, a personal item, and an assigned seat at check-in, which compares favorably to equivalent fare classes on many other carriers. I was seated in 17F, an aisle seat. The adjacent seat remained empty for the duration of the flight, which on a roughly ten-hour transatlantic crossing is a significant comfort.

The cabin, departure, and flight

The 787-8 cabin had clearly been refreshed and felt modern throughout. The most immediate impression was the IFE screen: large, sharp, and responsive to the touch in a way that economy class screens often are not. The 787's signature larger windows and higher cabin humidity were noticeable on a long crossing and made the interior feel more comfortable than older widebody types. The overall presentation was clean and well-maintained.

AV 183 pushed back at 11:05 local time, one minute ahead of schedule. The captain was communicative from early on, delivering announcements in both Spanish and English throughout the flight, covering route information, expected conditions, and progress updates with regularity, keeping the cabin well informed. It is a small thing, but it makes a noticeable difference on a long crossing.

I slept for approximately five hours after departure, taking advantage of the empty seat next to me. The 787's quieter cabin and smoother pressurization made rest easier than it typically is on older airframes. When I woke, I put the IFE to use and watched Hit Man, which filled the remaining flight time well. The crossing passed without incident.

Lunch service, Pre-landing snack

The meal served was a salsa verde-stuffed pasta with cheese and tomato sauce, accompanied by a quinoa salad and bread. The pasta was the best food I have been served on an airline in economy. The filling was well-seasoned, the sauce had real character, and the portion was generous. The quinoa salad was a capable supporting act. It was the kind of meal that recalibrates expectations for what economy class catering can actually achieve when the effort is there.

As BOG approached, the crew distributed a pre-landing snack of cheese bread crisps alongside a Gouda and provolone sandwich. It was a light and appropriate closer to a long service, and a thoughtful touch before arrival.

Arrival in Bogota; transit, onward connection

AV 183 touched down at El Dorado International Airport at 14:23 local time, two minutes ahead of schedule. The weather on arrival was overcast with patchy rain, a typical Bogota afternoon. On the ramp, I spotted a Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900, a KLM Boeing 787-9, and several unidentified 747-400 freighter aircraft, reflecting BOG's growing role as a hub for both passenger and cargo operations in the region.

As I was connecting onward to MCO rather than entering Colombia, I bypassed customs and immigration entirely and was directed straight through to the security checkpoint for transit passengers. The process took around five minutes. I was back in the terminal shortly afterward and boarded my Avianca A320 to Orlando without difficulty.

Conclusion

AV 183 was a strong transatlantic performance. The refreshed 787-8 cabin, the attentive captain, and a meal service that genuinely stood out made for a comfortable and memorable crossing. Economy Light on this routing offers solid value for the fare, and Avianca's product on the MAD-to-BOG service compares well with the wider long-haul economy field. I came away with a notably positive impression of the airline.