Avianca announced a new expansion of its air operation for the 2026 World Cup season, one more sign of how airlines are adjusting capacity in the face of the expected increase in travel between Latin America, the United States, Mexico and Canada during the tournament.

The company, which is part of Grupo Abra, reported that it will add 1,800 additional seats on strategic routes from Bogotá and Quito to some of the cities with the highest demand during the championship. The reinforcement will focus on the Bogotá-Miami, Bogotá-Dallas, Bogotá-Mexico City and Quito-New York flights.

The announcement comes after Avianca had already presented a large-scale operation for the World Cup season: more than 3,000 flights and nearly 600,000 seats to and from cities linked to the tournament. The new expansion aims to reinforce routes with high traffic of Latin American travelers, especially in destinations that will function as World Cup venues, connection points or arrival centers for fans.

Avianca will launch the Guatemala-San Francisco route during the World Cup season

In addition to the additional seats, Avianca confirmed the launch of the direct Guatemala-San Francisco route, with four weekly frequencies and more than 1,400 seats per week. San Francisco will be one of the host cities of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, so the new connection may be relevant for Central American travelers looking to avoid stopovers or reduce travel times during a season of high air pressure.

The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 48 teams and matches in 16 cities. The geographical dimension of the tournament makes air transportation a central factor for fans, especially for those who plan to follow their teams in different venues or combine matches with family visits, tourism or work trips.

To which host cities of the 2026 World Cup does Avianca fly?

Avianca explained that its network will offer direct service to 10 of the 16 host cities of the tournament. In the United States, the airline operates to Miami, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and Houston. In Mexico, it connects with Mexico City and Monterrey. In Canada, it includes Toronto within its direct network.

The company also highlighted that its global operation connects more than 80 destinations in 25 countries through 155 routes, a relevant fact for travelers who will depart from Latin American cities without a direct flight to the World Cup venues. In these cases, hubs and connections can be decisive in finding more efficient itineraries, especially on dates close to high-demand matches.

Gabriel Oliva, CEO of Avianca, pointed out that the airline seeks to respond to the increase in demand during a season that will mobilize millions of fans on the continent. The company presented the reinforcement as part of a strategy to offer more travel options to major host cities.

What travelers should check before purchasing tickets

For consumers, the advertisement should be read carefully. More seats can improve availability on specific routes, especially on high-demand days, but Avianca did not report fares, discounts or price ranges associated with this expansion. The concrete economic data is additional capacity, not a promise of cheaper tickets.

The recommendation for those who plan to travel to the World Cup is to check prices in advance, compare direct and connecting routes, and calculate the total cost of the trip before purchasing. In a season marked by high demand, the final price may depend on the city of departure, the match schedule, the flexibility of dates, luggage included and the change rules for each fare.

Avianca indicated that its Light fare for flights within America includes a carry-on suitcase of up to 10 kilos and a personal item. It also reported that Business Class Americas will be available on all its international routes within the continent, and that international flights of more than 3.5 hours will include meals and drinks on board.