Before You Book: Essential Colombia Travel Tips
Before diving into the airlines, let's cover some quick essentials for planning your trip to Colombia.
Best Time to Fly: For the best deals on airfare and accommodation, plan your trip during the shoulder season. September is often the cheapest month to travel.
Major Airports: Your primary gateways will be Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Medellín's José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), and Cartagena's Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG).
Visa Requirements: Many nationalities, including citizens from the US, Canada, and the EU, can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. However, always verify the specific requirements for your nationality before booking.
Safety: Colombian airports adhere to strict international security standards, and the airlines are on par with global safety regulations. Travel to major cities is generally safe, but it's always wise to stay informed with current travel advisories.
Top 10 Airlines for Your Trip to Colombia in 2025
Here are the best carriers to get you to Colombia, whether you're prioritizing comfort, connectivity, or cost-effectiveness.
1. Avianca (🇨🇴) - The Home Advantage
As Colombia's flag carrier and one of the oldest airlines in the world, Avianca offers the most comprehensive network. With its hub at Bogotá's El Dorado (BOG), it's your best bet for direct flights and seamless connections to nearly every corner of the country.
Hub: Bogotá (BOG)
Best For: Unmatched domestic network, direct flights from Europe and the Americas.
Loyalty Program: LifeMiles (Star Alliance)
Perks: Lie-flat seats in Business Class on their modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a solid Premium Economy option, and excellent Colombian coffee onboard.
Pro Tip: The LifeMiles program frequently offers promotions to buy miles or book award flights at a significant discount (up to 50% off). Keep an eye on their app for exclusive deals.
2. American Airlines (🇺🇸) - The US Connection King
If you're flying from the United States, no one offers more routes to Colombia than American Airlines. With major hubs in Miami (MIA) and Dallas (DFW), they connect to Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Cali, and Barranquilla.
Hubs: Miami (MIA), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Best For: Travelers from the US seeking the most nonstop flight options.
Loyalty Program: AAdvantage (oneworld)
Perks: Flagship Business class with lie-flat beds and Casper bedding, an excellent Premium Economy product, and extensive Admirals Club lounge access.
Pro Tip: Look for their "Web Specials" on award tickets, which can drop one-way economy flights to as low as 10,000 AAdvantage miles.
3. Lufthansa (🇩🇪) - German Efficiency and Comfort
For a reliable and comfortable journey from Europe, Lufthansa is a top contender. Their daily flight from Frankfurt (FRA) to Bogotá is known for its punctuality and excellent service. Arrive well-rested and ready for business.
Hubs: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC)
Best For: European travelers prioritizing reliability and premium cabin comfort.
Loyalty Program: Miles & More (Star Alliance)
Perks: Complimentary beer and wine in all classes, exceptional lounge experiences in Germany, and a well-regarded Premium Economy cabin with porcelain dishware and priority boarding.
Pro Tip: Lufthansa sometimes releases last-minute Business Class award seats. Check partner portals like Avianca LifeMiles or United MileagePlus a few days before departure for great value redemptions.
4. Copa Airlines (🇵🇦) - The Hub of the Americas
Copa Airlines has perfected the art of the connection. Using their Panama City (PTY) hub, they offer fast and efficient one-stop flights from across the Americas to numerous Colombian cities, including secondary destinations like Pereira and Bucaramanga that other international carriers don't serve.
Hub: Panama City (PTY)
Best For: Reaching smaller Colombian cities and competitive fares from North and South America.
Loyalty Program: ConnectMiles (Star Alliance)
Perks: Free checked bags and meals in economy, high frequency of flights, and minimal connection times at their PTY hub.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the "Stopover in Panama" program, which allows you to spend up to seven days in Panama City for free on your way to or from Colombia.
5. LATAM Airlines (🇨🇱) - The South American Powerhouse
With its deep roots in South America, LATAM offers a modern fleet and an extensive network connecting Colombia to the rest of the continent and beyond. Their Lima (LIM) hub is particularly convenient for connections.
Hubs: Lima (LIM), Santiago (SCL), São Paulo (GRU)
Best For: Seamless travel within South America, generous baggage allowance.
Loyalty Program: LATAM Pass
Perks: Modern fleet featuring Boeing 787s, a focus on South American cuisine and wines, and a competitive Premium Business class with fully flat seats.
Pro Tip: Connecting through Lima (LIM) often provides the most efficient routing and best award availability to secondary Colombian cities.
6. JetBlue Airways (🇺🇸) - The Best Economy Experience
For the digital nomad who needs to stay connected, JetBlue is a game-changer. They are famous for their customer-friendly approach, offering services that other airlines charge a premium for.
Hubs: New York (JFK), Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Best For: The best economy class experience, especially for those who need to work during the flight.
Loyalty Program: TrueBlue
Perks: Free, fast Wi-Fi on all flights (strong enough for streaming), the most legroom in economy, unlimited brand-name snacks, and live TV.
Pro Tip: Their Mint business class product often undercuts legacy carriers on price while offering a superior experience with private suites—a fantastic way to fly into Cartagena.
7. Air Canada (🇨🇦) - The Premier Canadian Gateway
Canada's flag carrier provides a polished and comfortable way to reach Colombia, not just for Canadians but also for US travelers connecting through Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL).
Hubs: Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL)
Best For: Travelers from Canada and the northern US.
Loyalty Program: Aeroplan (Star Alliance)
Perks: Signature Class business pods with lie-flat seats, a generous premium economy, free meals and drinks in all classes, and access to the excellent Maple Leaf Lounges.
Pro Tip: To avoid the higher taxes often associated with Aeroplan redemptions, consider booking your Air Canada flight using partner miles, such as Avianca LifeMiles.
8. British Airways (🇬🇧) - A Touch of British Class
Flying from London Heathrow (LHR) to Bogotá on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, British Airways offers a stylish and comfortable transatlantic option. The Dreamliner's lower cabin altitude and higher humidity help reduce jet lag.
Hub: London Heathrow (LHR)
Best For: Direct travel from the UK with excellent premium cabins.
Loyalty Program: Executive Club (Avios) (oneworld)
Perks: The new Club Suite (Business Class) with a privacy door, a refined World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) cabin, and quintessentially British touches like afternoon tea service.
Pro Tip: You can often find better value by transferring points from credit card partners (like Amex) to Iberia and then to British Airways to book award flights with significantly lower surcharges.
9. Delta Air Lines (🇺🇸) - Reliability and Service
Known for operational excellence and solid customer service, Delta is a reliable choice from the US. Its massive Atlanta (ATL) hub ensures efficient connections from virtually anywhere in North America to Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena.
Hub: Atlanta (ATL)
Best For: Smooth connections from across the US, consistent service.
Loyalty Program: SkyMiles
Perks: Free messaging via Wi-Fi for all passengers, upgraded snacks, and a proper Premium Select cabin that's ideal for overnight flights.
Pro Tip: Booking Delta flights through partner Virgin Atlantic can be a savvy move. It often requires half the number of miles compared to booking directly with Delta SkyMiles, with minimal fees.
10. Iberia (🇪🇸) - Spanish Flair and Smart Scheduling
Iberia offers a fantastic European connection through Madrid (MAD). What sets them apart is their thoughtful scheduling, with late-night departures from Colombia that allow you to enjoy a full final day in the city before heading to the airport.
Hub: Madrid (MAD)
Best For: Travelers from Europe looking for competitive business class fares and convenient flight times.
Loyalty Program: Iberia Plus (oneworld)
Perks: Standout food and wine service, competitive business class pricing, and frequent fare sales.
Pro Tip: The Iberia Plus program is an Avios powerhouse. Transfer points from British Airways or credit card partners to Iberia to book the exact same flights with dramatically lower taxes and fees.
