Bolivian Air Quality: A Breath Of Fresh Air?

Boliviana de Aviación, also known as BoA, is the flag carrier airline of Bolivia. It is the largest airline in Bolivia and the sixth largest in South America in terms of fleet size and passengers carried. The airline was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cochabamba. It operates most of its domestic flights from Jorge Wilstermann International Airport, while its international services operate from Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. BoA offers flights to various destinations within South America, as well as transatlantic flights to Madrid, Spain. The airline has a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including the Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 737 Next Generation. Reviews of BoA are mixed, with some praising the comfort and smoothness of the flight, while others complain about old aircraft, poor food, and unhelpful customer service.

Boliviana de Aviación's business class

Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) is the government-owned national carrier airline of Bolivia. The airline is based at Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (VVI) and flies to more than 20 destinations across South America, North America, Central America, and Europe.

Business Class offers extra room, comfort, and privacy and is available on select flights. Passengers are treated to a dedicated Business Class service, with food from its exclusive Business Class menu. Seats are set out in a 2 x 1 x 2 formation and are wide and reclinable. On short-haul flights, passengers can order a range of sweet and salted snacks from the airline's in-flight menu, as well as hot, cold, soft, and alcoholic drinks. On long-haul flights, passengers are served hot complimentary meals, with Business Class passengers treated to a meal from the exclusive Business Class menu.

BoA's fleet consists mainly of narrow-body Boeing 737 aircraft. It also has wide-body Boeing 767 aircraft and Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets. Overall, the airline has more than 20 aircraft within its fleet.

The airline has been working on plans to refresh its long-haul fleet by retiring its Boeing 767s and replacing them with more modern Airbus A330s. The first jet touched down in Bolivia in April 2023 and these planes are expected to enter service soon after. The new planes will have reverse herringbone seats in business class, which will be fully flat and feature direct aisle access. This will be a massive improvement compared to the carrier’s current business class, which consists of recliner seats that don’t have personal televisions.

Bolivian Airlines' food

The food served onboard Bolivian Airlines (Boliviana de Aviación, or BoA) flights has received mixed reviews. On long-haul flights, passengers in both Economy and Business Class are served complimentary hot meals. On short-haul flights, passengers can order snacks and drinks from the airline's in-flight menu.

One passenger travelling on a long-haul flight from Madrid to Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Business Class described the food as "disappointing". The meal consisted of chicken, potatoes, salad, cheese, and chocolate cake for dessert. The reviewer felt that the food was "too greasy" and that there were "too many different dishes" that "didn't work well together". They gave the meal a score of 5.9 out of 10. For breakfast, they were served yoghurt, fruits, buns, coffee, scrambled eggs, beans, and greens, which they also found underwhelming.

Another reviewer travelling from Uyuni to La Paz described the food as a "cross between a wrap and a cold Vietnamese roll" that tasted like "one-year-old sushi". They also mentioned that they were served five sweet biscuits and a small piece of chocolate cake.

However, some passengers have reported positive experiences with the food. One reviewer praised the airline for its "smooth take-off and landing" and "great staff", although they did not provide specific details about the meals served.

It is worth noting that the quality of airline food can vary depending on the route, the time of year, and other factors. Overall, while some passengers have expressed disappointment with the food on Bolivian Airlines, others have found it to be satisfactory or even enjoyable.

Bolivian Airlines' baggage handling

Boliviana de Aviación, also known as BoA, is the government-owned national carrier of Bolivia. The airline is based at Jorge Wilstermann International Airport and flies to over 20 destinations across South America, North America, Central America, and Europe.

BoA has specific baggage allowances for both carry-on and checked baggage. The carry-on baggage allowance depends on the aircraft operating the flight. For example, the Boeing 767-300 allows one piece of carry-on baggage weighing up to 10 kg and with dimensions not exceeding 55 cm x 20 cm x 35 cm. On the other hand, the Bombardier CRJ-200 allows a smaller piece of carry-on baggage, weighing up to 5 kg and with dimensions of 20 cm x 25 cm x 30 cm.

The checked baggage allowance depends on the cabin class and route flown. For domestic flights within Bolivia, economy class passengers are allowed one piece of checked baggage weighing up to 20 kg. On flights to and from specific international destinations, such as Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Salta, the allowance may increase to one piece of checked baggage weighing up to 30 kg. For flights to and from Miami and Madrid, the allowance is typically two pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 23 kg for adults and children, and one piece for infants, along with a baby stroller.

It is important to adhere to BoA's baggage restrictions to avoid any inconvenience or additional charges. Excess baggage fees vary depending on the route and can be calculated based on the net fare or a fixed rate per additional kilogram.

Bolivian Airlines' check-in process

The check-in process for Bolivian Airlines, or Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), can be done online or at the airport.

Online Check-in

Online check-in opens 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure time and closes one hour before. To check in online, passengers can visit the Boliviana de Aviación online check-in page and click the 'web check-in' tab. After checking in, passengers can print their boarding passes and select their seats.

Mobile Check-in

Mobile check-ins can be done via the Boliviana-de-avación(BOA) Airways app, which can be downloaded from either the Play Store or the Apple Store. The check-in process can be completed 24 hours before the flight’s departure and closes 2 hours before the flight’s departure.

Kiosk Check-in

Kiosk check-in can be used at airports where BoA has installed its kiosks, allowing passengers to avoid long queues at the check-in counter.

Counter Check-in

Check-ins at the airport can be done by visiting the airline check-in desk. Airport check-in closing times are as follows:

• 30 minutes before flight departure time on domestic flights
• 60 minutes before flight departure time on flights to Miami
• 75 minutes before departure time on international flights in South America
• 90 minutes before departure time on flights to Madrid

It is recommended that passengers arrive well before the check-in closing time to ensure enough time to drop off checked baggage, pass security, and make the boarding call.

Bolivian Airlines' in-flight entertainment

In-flight entertainment is an important aspect of the overall travel experience, and Bolivian Airlines—officially known as Boliviana de Aviación (BoA)—has made strides in this area. While the airline does not currently offer Wi-Fi on its flights, it provides a range of entertainment options to keep passengers engaged during their journey.

On long-haul flights, passengers can enjoy a movie selected by Bolivian Airlines on shared TVs located throughout the cabin. This service is a standard offering on their long-haul routes, ensuring that passengers can relax and unwind with a film during their extended time in the air.

For those travelling on short-haul flights, the airline provides its in-flight magazine, Boa Magazine. This magazine offers a range of reading material to keep passengers entertained and informed during their journey. It is a standard offering on short-haul flights, providing a convenient option for passengers seeking an engaging read.

Additionally, Bolivian Airlines has introduced improvements to its long-haul services. The airline now offers lie-flat seats in business class and enhanced services in economy class, including in-flight entertainment screens at every seat. This upgrade ensures that passengers across both classes can enjoy a more comfortable and engaging journey.

While there have been reports of the in-flight entertainment system not functioning optimally on certain flights, the airline is committed to addressing these issues and enhancing the overall travel experience.

Frequently asked questions