Bolivian Airlines: Reliable Or Risky Travel Option?

Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) is an airline based in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is a 2-star airline, with mixed reviews from customers. While some praise the friendly service, comfortable seats, and smooth flights, others criticise the airline for issues such as delays, poor food, and unhelpful customer service. The airline has recently upgraded its fleet, acquiring Airbus A330s to replace its old Boeing 767s. Overall, BoA offers a mixed bag in terms of reliability, with some passengers having positive experiences and others encountering significant issues.

Delayed flights

In one instance, a passenger reported a five-hour delay that caused them to miss their connecting flight, and they received no compensation or assistance from the airline. Another passenger recounted a delay due to bag loading and towing services not being available on time. Delays can also occur due to issues with ground handling services and boarding processes.

It is important to note that delayed flights can happen with any airline due to various factors, and it is always recommended to check the latest flight information and allow for potential delays when making travel plans, especially when connecting flights are involved.

To mitigate the impact of delayed flights, passengers can take a few proactive measures. Firstly, choosing a flight with a longer layover time between connections can provide a buffer in case of delays. Secondly, enrolling in flight status notifications can help passengers stay updated on any delays or changes to their flight schedule. Lastly, having a backup plan, such as alternative flights or flexible travel arrangements, can help minimise the inconvenience caused by delayed flights.

Poor customer service

There have been several complaints about the poor customer service of Boliviana de Aviación (BoA). One passenger, L Lucar, claimed that the airline's customer service was "rude and unprofessional". Lucar's return flight was moved to a day later without a valid reason, and the airline refused to accommodate the additional expenses incurred. Another passenger, K Han, recounted an incident where their checked-in baggage was damaged during their flight. Despite attempting to contact a BoA agent at the Miami airport and calling the customer service number, Han was unable to find any assistance. Subsequently, their claim for damage was declined by the airline.

In addition to these issues, several other passengers have reported problems with the airline's customer service. One passenger, Azrael F, experienced an issue where their bag was destroyed by a narcotics team during a flight connection in Santa Cruz. Upon landing in Florida, the customer service team offered no resolution to the problem. Furthermore, the return flight was marred by excessive paperwork and multiple passport checks. In another instance, a passenger named Lucy I needed to change a ticket and waited in line for over an hour, only to be told that the flight was full. However, when Lucy purchased a ticket through Priceline, they discovered that the flight actually had available seats.

The airline has also faced criticism for its handling of flight delays and postponements. One traveller, Yannick, recounted a five-hour delay that caused them to miss their connecting flight. However, the airline provided no compensation or alternative arrangements. Similarly, a guest reviewer on airlines-inform.com shared their experience of continuous flight postponements and a lack of accurate information. When they attempted to re-book for the following day, they overheard a BoA representative dismiss non-Spanish speakers, indicating a potential language barrier issue. The reviewer was not offered available seats on another airline, EcoJet, and was unable to obtain a refund from BoA.

Overall, these experiences highlight significant concerns about the level of customer service provided by Boliviana de Aviación. Passengers have encountered challenges with flight changes, baggage issues, and a lack of support from the airline's customer service team. These issues have contributed to a negative perception of the airline's reliability and responsiveness to customer needs.

Uncomfortable seats

While some passengers have praised Boliviana de Aviación for its friendly service, comfortable seats, and spacious legroom, others have criticised the airline for its uncomfortable seats.

One passenger described the seats as uncomfortable on a long-haul business class flight. They also mentioned that the airline lacked modern product amenities. Another traveller noted that the seats were old-fashioned and had no entertainment flat panels. Additionally, some passengers have complained about the lack of space between seats, describing the planes as way too old and the facilities as "aged".

On the other hand, some travellers have found the seats to be comfortable and spacious. One passenger mentioned that the seats were wide and comfortable, with spacious legroom. They also noted that the seats could be reclined backward to almost 40 degrees, making the flights very comfortable. Another reviewer praised the airline for its friendly service and smooth take-off and landing.

It is worth noting that Boliviana de Aviación has recently started modernising its fleet, replacing its Boeing 767s with Airbus A330s. These new aircraft may offer improved seat comfort and amenities compared to the older planes.

Subpar food

While Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) offers complimentary hot meals on long-haul flights and a range of snacks and drinks on short-haul flights, some passengers have complained about the quality of the food.

One reviewer on Airlinequality.com described the food as "gross", while another said that the airline "could make some progress on the food they serve". A Tripadvisor review from January 2024 described the food as "horrible and inedible".

A review of the airline's business class by a travel blogger, who flew from Madrid to Santa Cruz, gave the meal experience a rating of 5.9 out of 10. The reviewer described the food as "disappointing", "simple", and "not very tasty", with "too many different dishes" that did not "work well together". They also noted that the cutlery provided was plastic, and that the breakfast served was "not for me".

Despite these criticisms, some passengers have praised BoA's food offerings. One reviewer on Airlinequality.com noted that they had two full meals (dinner and breakfast) on an 11-hour flight, whereas other airlines only offer one free meal on similar flights. Additionally, a reviewer on Tripadvisor described the meals served on their flight as "rather good".

Lost luggage

Losing luggage can be stressful and inconvenient, and unfortunately, it does sometimes happen with Boliviana de Aviación (BoA). If your luggage is lost, Boliviana de Aviación will compensate you for the registered weight and not for the content, unless you have previously declared the value of the items inside. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not include valuable items within your checked baggage, and instead pack them in your carry-on luggage. Items that Boliviana de Aviación will not accept claims for damage to include electronic items, precious metals, diamonds, jewellery, items covered with glass or mirrors, natural leather products, perishable products, credit or debit cards, legal and/or negotiable documents, and architectural plans.

To avoid losing your luggage, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, mark and identify your carry-on and checked baggage with your ID and destination, as there are often many bags of the same size and colour. Additionally, always pay attention to notices displayed by Boliviana de Aviación regarding items that you may or may not bring in your hand baggage and checked baggage. For example, sharp objects, liquids, and hazardous materials are typically prohibited. It is also recommended that you do not pack valuable items, important or valued documents, and electronic devices in your checked baggage. Instead, pack these items in your carry-on baggage to ensure that they travel with you in the same flight.

In the unfortunate event that your luggage is lost, it is important to report it immediately to Boliviana de Aviación staff before leaving the baggage reclaim area. Keep in mind that due to the nature of baggage handling and transportation, minor damages such as scrapes, dents, small cuts, and stains may occur. Boliviana de Aviación is typically not responsible for the damage and loss of external items such as straps, pockets, handles, key rings, badges, padlocks, or any other objects attached to your checked baggage.

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