Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 22388 times:
Feedback always appreciated.
Trip Report: 066
Flight Category: J-IMR (See Report End)
Date: 24 Jan-09 (See Report End)
SDT/SAT/Dur/Delay: 0245/0625/04:40 hrs
Flight: TACA TA 575, 1,932 miles
Routing: JFK-SAP
Aircraft: 320
Seat: Business “Clase Ejecutiva”, 3A
I > Background:
Back in the U.S. and frustrated at not being able to go back to Venezuela for the weekend (all options solidly booked out), I decided I needed some sun and the only place that was available last minute was San Pedro Sula – and then a quick diving trip to Roatan. TACA had some incredible fares in J – and I bit the hook and bought myself a 4 day weekend trip.
I believe this is the first trip report on TACA’s J product (surprising I think), and the first to cover JFK-SAP.
II > Pre-Flight:
a) Before Airport:
TACA is the international airline headquartered in San Salvador, El Salvador. Groupo TACA is comprised of a group of 5 former Central American airlines and a group of IATA coded regional airlines which code-share and feed the TACA brand. It flies to around 39 cities in North, Central, South America and the Caribbean. It’s fleet of Airbus A-320 family aircraft was recently supplemented by the arrival of the Embraer e-Jets.
TACA had recently redesigned their website to be more in-line with their overall corporate image. Now, while the site is visually appealing and functionally better than most Latin carriers, I just don’t understand some of their corporate slogans … I mean, what exactly does their current tagline tell us … “What makes you different is driving our change” evoke? Anyways, www.taca.com is very functional and I was able to book my ticket. Later, one can view their reservation online. However, I do not believe it gives you the functionality to modify the reservation. Also, no pre-seating … one of my most important requirements in an airline. WHY?!
b) At Airport:
Given the odd flight time (2.45am departure), I arrived at JFK around 10.30pm hoping to have some dinner and use the lounge before I fly out. JFK is usually deserted during this hour – and one can distinguish the TACA counter by the line that had already started even prior to the counter opening. It was already pretty insane and had no form or definition … more of a fish market than an airport really. Anyways, prior to even having the honor of seeing the check-in agent, a girl stood with a scale to measure your hand baggage. Given the huge amount of bags around me, I was not surprised. Check-in was very efficient, and the agent was amused that I had no bags to check-in. Though, I don’t understand how all the J class seats were taken as I was the first at the counter. One thing, no lounge access? I mean, I was expecting that from ConViasa, but from TACA?
Anyways, after a quick security, I ended up at the boarding gates and watched the interesting clientele fill in the boarding area. 45 minutes prior to departure, boarding was announced. J class passengers were allowed to board first and I made my way to the aircraft. Upon embarking, a surly flight attendant welcomed me. There were no welcome drinks, no hot towels, no coats being taken, and no amenity kits (or anything in the bathrooms) for an overnight flight. In fact, there was nothing that made one feel that they were flying J. The crew just watched as the disorganized boarding process folded in front of them. Their job was primarily to get rid of excess bags I guess? J load was 80% and Y load was 90%.
Airport - External:
(JFK Airport, Terminal 4)
Check-in:
(Woman checking handbag weight)
Airport - Internal:
(Internal – empty T4)
(FIDS)
(Post Security)
Scenes of the tarmac:
(Avianca’s gorgeous 319. I love their livery – this aircraft took me to BOG a few weeks back)
Lounge
NONE
Boarding:
(Gate B28 was used for this flight)
III> In-Flight:
a) Service Schedule + Impressions:
Meal service after take-off. That is pretty much it.
b) Aircraft + Seats:
I am not a huge fan of TACA’s new Euro-white livery, but they were kept clean both inside and out. The interior of the first class cabin was nothing spectacular with seats that one would find in standard J class across the United States. The leather seats were comfortable enough. However, the legroom and recline was definitely below industry average.
Aircraft:
(@ JFK)
Views from Aircraft:
(Sun rises during flight)
General Seat Views + Seat Legroom
(J Class Seat)
(Seat legroom)
Seat Recline + Angle View:
(Very poor recline)
Cabin:
(Picture taken at night)
c) Meal + Beverage:
As mentioned, shockingly there was nothing to drink at take-off. A few minutes after take-off, a full meal service commenced. It started with a small fruit salad and a very hard piece of bread. Wouldn’t one expect in J to have the bread heated up? This was followed by an interesting combination of sausage, frittata, and mushrooms. The meal was listless and lacked any distinct flavor. It was like someone had heated up a micro-wave meal and presented it in nice cutlery. Moreover, drink options were extremely limited and weirdly, there were no choices given to passengers.
(Fruit salad)
(Main Course – nothing amazing)
d) Inflight Entertainment:
TACA has no personal in-flight entertainment – and I was surprised that they don’t even hand out personal players to J passengers. In lieu of that, one settles with the video screens throughout the cabin which played 2 forgettable movies during the course of the journey. One redeeming feature was their in-flight magazine which was informative and entertaining.
(“In-flight magazines”, Boarding Passes, etc.)
e) Crew:
Complimenting the rather listless service described above was an equally listless crew. Sadly, they had as much charm as a wall. I don’t think I saw a single smile through the entire flight as they struggled to even do basic services. It was as if they were in bonded labor with no escape. While I could look past the lack of pre-departure niceties (ok, who doesn’t bother to take coats away in J?), the complete disinterest to serve customers was a bit too much. They did their meal service and disappeared. I rang my call button for 20+ minutes to have a glass of water … finally giving up and heading to the galley to be served. Just really unacceptable. I recognize the flight was at an absurd hour – but many intercontinental flights are.
IV> Post-Flight:
San Pedro Sula is a small airport and it shows. Upon arrival, San Salvador bound passengers were requested to remain onboard as the rest of us disembarked using jet bridge. Inside the terminal, we waited for 25 minutes before the immigration officers showed up … what a lovely introduction to a country! Baggage retrieval was fast soon I was off to check-in for my Islena flight to Roatan. Since this is not a TR on Islena, I will spare you the details. However, Islena carried on my overall poor image of TACA – my flight was delayed 8 hours – then our flight to Roatan via La Ceiba made an unscheduled stop in Tegucigalpa to drop off the pilot’s cousin – since our detour had taken a long time, we missed the window of arrivals at Roatan resulting in a forced overnight at Tegucigalpa. Uugh. Never again.
(San Pedro Sula airport)
(Aero República by my side)
(Please let me in! – empty immigration counter. A first in my travels to many lands)
(San Pedro Sula airport – outside near check-in counters)
V> Impressions + Scores:
Why one would bother paying J class on TACA is beyond me. True, the fare was a steal and perhaps should have been an indicator to lower expectations. However, if even U.S. domestic carriers can provide some remote resemblance of service on their F class (filled with upgrades), I don’t see why TACA has to be so listless. External modifications and glossy campaigns seem to be the rage in many Latin countries. However, putting lipstick on a pig does not make it the next Singapore girl. Service on-board TACA was just poor and I would go out of my way to not fly it – especially in J class. Two thumps way down!
1.0 > RESERVATION: 7.0
2.0 > CHECK-IN: 7.5
0.5 > LOUNGE: 1.0
0.5 > BOARDING: 7.0
2.0 > SEAT: 4.0
0.5 > AIRCRAFT OVERALL AMBIENCE: 5.0
1.0 > IFE: 4.0
2.0 > CREW: 3.0
2.0 > FOOD: 4.5
0.5 > BEVERAGES: 4.0
0.5 > A.KITS + OTHER FREEBIES: 5.0
0.5 > DISEMBARKATION: 8.0
1.0 > ON-TIME RECORD: 9.0 WEIGHTED OVERALL IMPRESSION (WOI): 5.07
(Pre-flight WOI of all reviews: 6.52)
* Weighted Overall Impression (WOI) aligns scores with what matters most. Weights are indicated alongside each category.
(Scores are based on comparison with other airlines in THAT class of service – No comparison of Y vs. F for example)
(Note on Codes: Y – Economy, J – Business, F – First :: I/D – International/Domestic :: SR/MR/LR – Short/Medium/Long Haul)
(Note on Date: Dates are modified to be +/- 3 days from actual flight date to not reveal actual flight pattern)
Gorgeous livery indeed - but be careful, some Boeing guys may want to jump on you for calling the 757 an A319.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): This was followed by an interesting combination of sausage, frittata, and mushrooms. The meal was listless and lacked any distinct flavor. It was like someone had heated up a micro-wave meal and presented it in nice cutlery.
Globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 373 posts, RR: 31 Reply 2, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 22287 times:
Hi there Abrelosojos,
Thank you for covering yet another airline that is not often featured on Airliners.net. A great trip report!
I do not think I have seen such an abysmal J product in a long time! It sounds even worse than some carrier's Economy Class to be honest! Wow... shocking!
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 22255 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Gorgeous livery indeed - but be careful, some Boeing guys may want to jump on you for calling the 757 an A319. Wink
= Remind me NEVER to write a trip report at 4am on a cramped J seat! I meant that I flew on their 319 to BOG a few weeks earlier - and their livery looks great in any aircraft.
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 2):
I do not think I have seen such an abysmal J product in a long time! It sounds even worse than some carrier's Economy Class to be honest! Wow... shocking!
MSYtristar From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 5993 posts, RR: 53 Reply 4, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 22254 times:
Ah, good old "Take A Chance Airlines".
A good friend of mine (native of Honduras) used to fly them all the the time out of MSY to SAP/TGU. And he eventually moved over to CO after dealing with poor service time and again.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): and I was surprised that they don’t even hand out personal players to J passengers.
CM doesnt do the same thing either, so I dont really think you can fault Taca for this. Although it would be great if the Central American carriers implemented more amenities such as individual entertainment.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Service on-board TACA was just poor and I would go out of my way to not fly it – especially in J class. Two thumps way down!
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1364 posts, RR: 12 Reply 8, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 21904 times:
Hello Alex, good report!
I was very surprised to see TACA offering such a poor J product. No lounge, no in-flight service with those tiny little details, that make the trip 1000 times more enjoyable. I'm assuming that must be standard for all J class carriers.
The seats looked rather decent, not the best I've seen. In fact the seats were bade by Recaro, and the model is called BL4400. The Enhanced cabin on the A319, looked great, and I would love to fly on one soon.
The meal, well... It looked really bad. The fruit salad, looked nice, but the main looked completely awful. There's nothing more unappetizing that eggs served as cubes, in my opinion.
The cutlery and china, looked good. In fact very similar to what they have in the new SQ J class, but maybe it's just me.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): then our flight to Roatan via La Ceiba made an unscheduled stop in Tegucigalpa to drop off the pilot’s cousin
That's really outrageous. Pilots aren't even allowed to do that! It's not like he owns the plane, I wonder what the airline would say about that.
Thanks for posting, and i really enjoyed reading.
Regards
Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
FLIEGER67 From Thailand, joined Sep 2003, 3555 posts, RR: 58 Reply 9, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 21787 times:
Hey, Alex,
very interesting story.
No TACA experience by myself, till now.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): poor image of TACA – my flight was delayed 8 hours – then our flight to Roatan via La Ceiba made an unscheduled stop in Tegucigalpa to drop off the pilot’s cousin – since our detour had taken a long time, we missed the window of arrivals at Roatan resulting in a forced overnight at Tegucigalpa. Uugh. Never again.
Sounds really weird!,
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): However, putting lipstick on a pig does not make it the next Singapore girl.
LOL, great comment.
Regards,
Markus (FLIEGER67)
Next: Old school to BKK and new style retour ex SIN
YOW346 From United States of America, joined Dec 2008, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 21745 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): my flight was delayed 8 hours – then our flight to Roatan via La Ceiba made an unscheduled stop in Tegucigalpa to drop off the pilot’s cousin – since
Excuse me? I can't believe you took this so coolly. I would have thrown a magnificent tantrum. Not only because of the lack of professionalism, but I wouldn't be caught dead in Tegucigalpa (safety first!). There has to be a proportionate response to such an outrage. Did the other passengers react? I suffer, at times, from Central American laxness (I do hold Salvadoran citizenship) but this is an extreme!
As for the rest of the trip, it is truly unfortunate that TACA is the flag carrier for El Salvador. YYZ-SAL is not much better than JFK-SUL, but it is LACSA which provides a noticeable difference. I would suggest Continental for Central America.
This is truly a terrible, terrible, terrible experience. I hope Roatan made it all better
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 21677 times:
Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 4): Ah, good old "Take A Chance Airlines".
= Jaja. I had no idea of this acronym.
Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 4): A good friend of mine (native of Honduras) used to fly them all the the time out of MSY to SAP/TGU. And he eventually moved over to CO after dealing with poor service time and again.
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 5): A great trip report despite a disappointing J experience.
= Thanks.
Quoting Mt99 (Reply 6): How much did you pay? Just to keep things in perspective..
= I paid USD 992,00 with taxes round trip.
Quoting Bentley55 (Reply 7): The picture is during the daytime. Is it daylight at 10:30pm in NYC?
= Ya. It is from my EY report .
Quoting Bentley55 (Reply 7): Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter):
and I was surprised that they don’t even hand out personal players to J passengers.
CM doesnt do the same thing either, so I dont really think you can fault Taca for this. Although it would be great if the Central American carriers implemented more amenities such as individual entertainment.
= I find this poor given many airlines on 4 hour flights have personal video options.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 8): The meal, well... It looked really bad. The fruit salad, looked nice, but the main looked completely awful. There's nothing more unappetizing that eggs served as cubes, in my opinion.
The cutlery and china, looked good. In fact very similar to what they have in the new SQ J class, but maybe it's just me.
= You're right about the cutlery ... again, feeds into my belief that you can't gloss over and make a product just look good.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 8): That's really outrageous. Pilots aren't even allowed to do that! It's not like he owns the plane, I wonder what the airline would say about that.
= Apparently, Islena flies according to its own beat. There are frequent change of plans.
Quoting YOW346 (Reply 10): Excuse me? I can't believe you took this so coolly. I would have thrown a magnificent tantrum. Not only because of the lack of professionalism, but I wouldn't be caught dead in Tegucigalpa (safety first!). There has to be a proportionate response to such an outrage. Did the other passengers react? I suffer, at times, from Central American laxness (I do hold Salvadoran citizenship) but this is an extreme!
= If you travel like me, you have to start letting things go. Otherwise, you will end up having a heart attack at a very young age . Ya - a lot of pax were very upset. The worst part was there was ZERO availability of information most of the time. The problem with TACA is that their ground personnel (like with many other things in Latin countries) are empowered to make ZERO decisions. Since they are so shit scared of losing their jobs, they will nto do anything beyond what they are told. And I generally find SAL to be a much nicer city than TGU.
PHLstudent From United States of America, joined May 2006, 498 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 21471 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): However, Islena carried on my overall poor image of TACA – my flight was delayed 8 hours – then our flight to Roatan via La Ceiba made an unscheduled stop in Tegucigalpa to drop off the pilot’s cousin – since our detour had taken a long time, we missed the window of arrivals at Roatan resulting in a forced overnight at Tegucigalpa. Uugh. Never again.
I know others have said this, but I find this highly unaccpetable. Was any short of compensation handed out for the 8 hour delay or unscheduled stop/stay over? I am hoping as a J class passenger you did not have to pay for a hotel or sleep in the airport.
It looks like in one of your pictures there was mood lighting? That must have been the most relaxing part of the entire trip!
Thank you for your contributions to this trip report forum, your reports are always a pleasure to read.
Mt99 From Bouvet Island, joined May 1999, 5445 posts, RR: 8 Reply 15, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 21466 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 13):
I really expected TACA to be much better, figured they were up with LAN for service levels, boy I was wrong!
I have flown TA many many times, granted in economy and i find their economy service on par with airlines all over (US, Europe, Australia).
LAN business class appeal to a WHOLE different audience.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 12): The problem with TACA is that their ground personnel (like with many other things in Latin countries) are empowered to make ZERO d
Flyboy7974 From United States of America, joined Jan 2003, 1540 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 21313 times:
Think the Avianca is actually a B757 by the dual forward doors and just the size of engine inlet.
SOUTHAMERICA From Colombia, joined Dec 2003, 2486 posts, RR: 17 Reply 17, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 21109 times:
Wow.
Copa and TACA sure are competing, but to see who wins the prize for the most tasteless, dull and generic airline in Latin America. Sad, because competition is supposed to do the opposite, but no, both airlines just created an almost identical product instead.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 12): I find this poor given many airlines on 4 hour flights have personal video options.
It's ironic because many people out there qualify Avianca's onboard service under TACA or Copa. As far as I know, Avianca always gives out personal DVD players in J onboard the 757s/767s in flights of similar length.
YOW346 From United States of America, joined Dec 2008, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 20948 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 12): If you travel like me, you have to start letting things go. Otherwise, you will end up having a heart attack at a very young age . Ya - a lot of pax were very upset. The worst part was there was ZERO availability of information most of the time. The problem with TACA is that their ground personnel (like with many other things in Latin countries) are empowered to make ZERO decisions. Since they are so shit scared of losing their jobs, they will not do anything beyond what they are told.
Well, yes. I guess that holding on to those things is bad for my health . And you provide solid reasoning behind the inefficiencies. In El Sal/ Honduras, there are 100 people in line waiting for the job you just screwed up .
Quoting PHLstudent (Reply 14): Was any sort of compensation handed out for the 8 hour delay or unscheduled stop/stay over? I am hoping as a J class passenger you did not have to pay for a hotel or sleep in the airport.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Reply 19, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 20774 times:
Quoting SOUTHAMERICA (Reply 17): Copa and TACA sure are competing, but to see who wins the prize for the most tasteless, dull and generic airline in Latin America. Sad, because competition is supposed to do the opposite, but no, both airlines just created an almost identical product instead.
= Well, in the case of Central America, there is a race to the bottom. Also, the market is more of an oligopoly and I am sure there is collusion on prices between the two carriers. Competition can make airlines better - but it has to be real.
Quoting SOUTHAMERICA (Reply 17): It's ironic because many people out there qualify Avianca's onboard service under TACA or Copa. As far as I know, Avianca always gives out personal DVD players in J onboard the 757s/767s in flights of similar length.
= Avianca might not be the best in Latin America ... but (for me), it is miles ahead of CM/TA.
Quoting YOW346 (Reply 18): Quoting PHLstudent (Reply 14):
Was any sort of compensation handed out for the 8 hour delay or unscheduled stop/stay over? I am hoping as a J class passenger you did not have to pay for a hotel or sleep in the airport.
Great question. I was wondering this as well.
= No additional compensation. They herded us to the hotel and paid for meals. Of course, it was a matter of fact and no choices. Thing is, I don't consider this a compensation. Moreover, for me the time is more important than a night stay in a hotel in TGU.
LH459 From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 886 posts, RR: 2 Reply 20, posted (3 years 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 20113 times:
This report confirms the impression that I already had of TA. I was starting to think that maybe I was wrong, and it would be worth trying TA on my next trip from SFO to Peru, but after reading this I'm more convinced than ever to stick with LA/LP via LAX! As the saying goes, lo barato sale caro!
"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is temporary; the evil it does is permanent" - Ghandi
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4732 posts, RR: 51 Reply 22, posted (3 years 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 19873 times:
It's really fascinating to be able to experience such trip reports which seem extremely exotic to someone like me. I'm really glad you're able to provide us with a great run through with all of these flights!
MilesDependent From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 810 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (3 years 1 week 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 19580 times:
Wow, what a terrible flight. Comments/questions:
* Do you think the recline was so terrible as it was the last row of "J"?
* I'm very surprised at how bad TACA seems. Your report is very good timing for me. A good friend was contemplating TA for his YYZ-SCL flight. Amazingly you can get this return for USD1,700+taxes in J class. It is a horrid schedule though with stops in MIA, SAL and LIM each way. But I said to him, it'll be J so not that bad. I quickly put a phone call to him and stopped him before he booked it. By comparison, LAN are charging USD4000 for this sector. I told him to go y/c on LAN.
* No lounge in J class. Unacceptable. This is only acceptable for 2 reasons: 1) random little airline (as in your CCS-DAM flight); 2) Flying from a random outpost (e.g. say, Pune, India for LH). TACA is not a random little airline and I think we'd agree that JFK is far from a random outpost.
*What's going on there? It looks like the aisle is blocked between Y and J.
RICARIZA From Colombia, joined Apr 2005, 2323 posts, RR: 34 Reply 25, posted (3 years 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 19540 times:
Finally a TR on Taca.. thank you !!
Well, I am really surprised. I had no idea about how bad TA J product was.. I am truly surprised, I thought CM/TA/LA/AV were trying to compete on the same level, but now I confirm that we have two levels:
Level 1: AV / LA
Level 6: TA / CM
It was a very good TR though, I thank you again. I have a few of questions:
So Lacsa still exists?
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): (Avianca’s gorgeous 319. I love their livery – this aircraft took me to BOG a few weeks back)
TANS From Czech Republic, joined May 2005, 134 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (3 years 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 19467 times:
I’ll have to go slightly against the current here! I’ve flown TACA many times between LIM-CUZ, LIM-SCL, LIM-SJO, SJO-MIA, LIM-LPB and LIM-GIG. I’ll grant that this was in economy and I wasn’t therefore expecting much, but I was quite happy with every single flight onboard TA.
They were mostly on time, the staff were courteous and the food was acceptable. The only explanation I am coming up with is that most of these flights originated from LIM where TACA has a hub and local crews?
Summa767 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 2116 posts, RR: 7 Reply 28, posted (3 years 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 19293 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Gorgeous livery indeed - but be careful, some Boeing guys may want to jump on you for calling the 757 an A319.
I must say I took it as reported that the photo was that of an A319, it's only when you mentioned it that I looked again.
Indeed, on the 17th January (and until the 20th Jan) is was an AV 757 that would spend the night in JFK and depart early for MDE. That changed from 20th January, when the CLO-MDE-JFK changed to a A319, and now does not overnight in JFK, but arrives at 5 am or so.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Reply 29, posted (3 years 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 19143 times:
Quoting LH459 (Reply 20): This report confirms the impression that I already had of TA. I was starting to think that maybe I was wrong, and it would be worth trying TA on my next trip from SFO to Peru, but after reading this I'm more convinced than ever to stick with LA/LP via LAX! As the saying goes, lo barato sale caro! Wink
= Ya - stick to LA via LIM.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 22): It's really fascinating to be able to experience such trip reports which seem extremely exotic to someone like me. I'm really glad you're able to provide us with a great run through with all of these flights!
= Glad you enjoyed.
Quoting Prinair (Reply 23): Merger of LACSA + TACA + NICA = " Lacsatanica"
If you speak Spanish and read it fast outloud you will get it.
= Jaja.
Quoting MilesDependent (Reply 24): * Do you think the recline was so terrible as it was the last row of "J"?
= Horrible throughout.
Quoting MilesDependent (Reply 24): * I'm very surprised at how bad TACA seems. Your report is very good timing for me. A good friend was contemplating TA for his YYZ-SCL flight. Amazingly you can get this return for USD1,700+taxes in J class. It is a horrid schedule though with stops in MIA, SAL and LIM each way. But I said to him, it'll be J so not that bad. I quickly put a phone call to him and stopped him before he booked it. By comparison, LAN are charging USD4000 for this sector. I told him to go y/c on LAN.
= Oh God. More than the savings, that sounds like a harsh long flight anyways. Why bother?
Quoting MilesDependent (Reply 24): * No lounge in J class. Unacceptable. This is only acceptable for 2 reasons: 1) random little airline (as in your CCS-DAM flight); 2) Flying from a random outpost (e.g. say, Pune, India for LH). TACA is not a random little airline and I think we'd agree that JFK is far from a random outpost.
= Yup.
Quoting MilesDependent (Reply 24):
*What's going on there? It looks like the aisle is blocked between Y and J.
= ? What are you referring to here?
Quoting RICARIZA (Reply 25): Well, I am really surprised. I had no idea about how bad TA J product was.. I am truly surprised, I thought CM/TA/LA/AV were trying to compete on the same level, but now I confirm that we have two levels:
Level 1: AV / LA
Level 6: TA / CM
= For me, in Latin America, I would put JJ as level 1, AV/LA as probably level 2 ... and then you're right about level 6. Though, what do I know ... I actually would put AR in level 2 as well .
= Yes. Something to do with operating certificate and all.
Quoting RICARIZA (Reply 25): Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter):
(Avianca’s gorgeous 319. I love their livery – this aircraft took me to BOG a few weeks back)
Beautiful indeed! Wink but, no Trip Report???
= I fly AV a lot - and besides if I did a TR for all my flights, I won't have time for anything else. Though, you have tempted me ... my first TR was on AV's JFK-BOG.
= 5.0 is usual default score ... UNLESS an amenity kit is absolutely warranted ... like V0's 13 hour flight ... where it then gets marked down.
Quoting TANS (Reply 26): I’ll have to go slightly against the current here! I’ve flown TACA many times between LIM-CUZ, LIM-SCL, LIM-SJO, SJO-MIA, LIM-LPB and LIM-GIG. I’ll grant that this was in economy and I wasn’t therefore expecting much, but I was quite happy with every single flight onboard TA.
They were mostly on time, the staff were courteous and the food was acceptable. The only explanation I am coming up with is that most of these flights originated from LIM where TACA has a hub and local crews?
= Ya ... TA works better ex-Peru.
Quoting Summa767 (Reply 28): I must say I took it as reported that the photo was that of an A319, it's only when you mentioned it that I looked again.
Indeed, on the 17th January (and until the 20th Jan) is was an AV 757 that would spend the night in JFK and depart early for MDE. That changed from 20th January, when the CLO-MDE-JFK changed to a A319, and now does not overnight in JFK, but arrives at 5 am or so.
Quoting RICARIZA (Reply 25):
you were definitely sleepy..., it was CM. P5 does not fly to the US.
= Ok. Stop harassing me . I was dazed when I wrote the report. Though, P5 is on a TR soon. And, you were sleeping as well ... it is not the U.S. being in question .
Henry757 From Honduras, joined Jun 2005, 7 posts, RR: 0 Reply 30, posted (3 years 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 19044 times:
Great trip report, as a native honduran I apologize you were victim of the HONDURAN EXPERIENCE.
Everything takes hours, if it is supposed to take minutes and takes days if it is supposed to take hours, that is the typical honduras, full of burocray and a government that just doesn't help.
WA707atMSP From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 1749 posts, RR: 12 Reply 31, posted (3 years 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 18818 times:
Thank you for an excellent trip report, as usual.
I was thinking of taking TA MIA-SJO-LIM later this year, because they have daylight flights, but after reading about your experiences, especially no pre assigned seating (which is totally unacceptable to me), I'm probably going to take AV via BOG.
Is there any chance you could do a full trip report about your flights on Islena? I would really enjoy it!
P5 does not fly to Honduras. It rather corresponds to the daily CM SAP-SJO-PTY with E90.
.
Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 4): A good friend of mine (native of Honduras) used to fly them all the the time out of MSY to SAP/TGU. And he eventually moved over to CO after dealing with poor service time and again.
TA suspended their flights heading to MSY in late August 2005 due to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.
I have read on this broad about the possible continuity of their services to New Orleans. Nonetheless, they have not materialized that project again.
I agreed that CO MSY-IAH and immediately CO IAH-SAP are likely catching a sizeable chunk of that stranded market.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Reply 33, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 17670 times:
Quoting Henry757 (Reply 30): Great trip report, as a native honduran I apologize you were victim of the HONDURAN EXPERIENCE.
Everything takes hours, if it is supposed to take minutes and takes days if it is supposed to take hours, that is the typical honduras, full of burocray and a government that just doesn't help.
= Thankfully, it was compensated by great hospitality outside the service industry .
Quoting WA707atMSP (Reply 31): I was thinking of taking TA MIA-SJO-LIM later this year, because they have daylight flights, but after reading about your experiences, especially no pre assigned seating (which is totally unacceptable to me), I'm probably going to take AV via BOG.
= A smart idea. Or, just do AA which I find equally impressive on LatAm flights.
Quoting WA707atMSP (Reply 31): Is there any chance you could do a full trip report about your flights on Islena? I would really enjoy it!
= Next time. I was so annoyed by everything ... all I wanted to be is on the beach. All you get is a pic of the "boarding card" that I already posted.
Quoting SJOtoLIR (Reply 32): P5 does not fly to Honduras. It rather corresponds to the daily CM SAP-SJO-PTY with E90.
= Ya. I already acknowledged the "error of my ways". Alex should not fly on these small red-eye wannabee flights and then write TRs .
Squrt29 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 22 posts, RR: 0 Reply 34, posted (2 years 10 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 16655 times:
I just returned from SJO (economy) last night on TACA, SJO-MIA and MIA-SJO last Friday. I must say that I was impressed w/ their punctuality on both flights (I had expected delays but there weren't any) and the crews were friendly and fairly helpful. Same with the airport staff. I agree that the food was mediocre. The seats on last night's A319 felt roomier than the A320 on the flight to SJO but neither were very comfortable.
I have not flown AA to Latin America. Based on domestic experience with AA I had assumed that I had experienced a better product on TAN than I would have on AA but maybe I'll just have to fly AA and actually, you know, just find out.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 19): Avianca might not be the best in Latin America ... but (for me), it is miles ahead of CM/TA.
I haven't flown on TA, but comparing AV and CM Y product, I surely will stick with AV. CM FAs look robotic and is very hard to find one to go the extra mile to please you, do just what they're required to, not a bit more or less. But again, is not like I'm a supre FF in CM....
Quoting Prinair (Reply 23): Merger of LACSA + TACA + NICA = " Lacsatanica"
Yo just made my day.
And by the way, thanks for your very detailed TRs, enjoy them a lot.
Cheers
777jaah
Next flights: BOG-JFK-BOG AV, JFK-IAD B6, BOG-MIA-BOG AV, MIA-PLS-MIA AA
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4388 posts, RR: 56 Reply 37, posted (2 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 15300 times:
Quoting MD11junkie (Reply 35): Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 12):
Since they are so shit scared of losing their jobs, they will nto do anything beyond what they are told.
Well - this is a huge part of our latin culture, is it? Smile
= Funny(?) thing Gaston is that the times I have received "above and beyond" service on Latin carriers have been on those that most Latins on A.Net look down upon - Aerolineas Argentinas, LAB, and conViasa to name a few. In general, I actually think AR has some of the best employees ... you just have to treat them with respect and be nice. Amazing things will happen . Overall, JJ is my top carrier of the region.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 5351 posts, RR: 58 Reply 38, posted (2 years 10 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 15030 times:
Hi Alex!
Nice report but I can't say that I'm surprised. This report confirms many rumors of TACA's service or lack thereof.
Eaa3 From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 831 posts, RR: 0 Reply 39, posted (2 years 10 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 14861 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): (Avianca’s gorgeous 319. I love their livery – this aircraft took me to BOG a few weeks back)
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