www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have flown TACA (from LAX) bunches of times in the past. It's been several years since my last trip and it appears that TACA no longer exists and has become part of Avianca. Do I have that right? Has that had any impact at all on quality of service since I always thought TACA provided great service.

Also--TACA/LACSA had its own terminal at LAX. I believe it was terminal 2 or 3. Has that changed now that it's Avianca? Personally I can't stand Tom Bradley terminal.

Thx.

share your dread of LAX and yes avianca is the name now along w taca/lacsa
you will notice little differences but nothing major
a little more stingy on alcohol but the planes are still in great shape

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

A small tip for booking on Avianca. If you go on their US site and switch you location to Colombia, your ticket will be quoted in COP and it will come out cheaper by the time the currency is converted. Make sure to use a no foreign transaction fee credit card to do this. I actually save $100 on a $600 ticket Vs booking on the US site.

The merger between Avianca and TACA started in 2009, and was essentially completed last year. The new Avianca now includes AeroGal, the Ecuadorian airline, and Tampa Cargo. Avianca and COPA/Aerorepublica are my favorite airlines for travel among the Americas because they have been able to retain "legacy" style service.

I don't know if the merger had anything to do with it or it's just plain cost cutting, but food and drinks have gone downhill the past year. There used to be a nice hot meal and now they give you a ham sandwich! They used to have a wide selection of liquor. Now it is just a couple of brands! Anyone else notice this?

I believe it depends on the length of the flight. I get a hot sandwich from SJO-SAL(45 mins). I get a hot meal from SAL-Home(5 hrs). I get attitude from the female custom officer inquiring about my frequent trips to SJO.

I too was confused about the airline switch until I saw a news article stating a group of airlines had joined together under the Avianca name. A friend and I are booked on Avianca out of LAX in a couple weeks. The details on the flight state "Operated by Taca". And we are departing from Terminal 2. I'll post details of the flight once it happens. Well maybe after that first beer at Sportsmans. And after that first massage at New Fantasy. Who am I kidding, you probably won't hear from me again until after they pull me out of paradise and shove me on that plane returning back to the states.

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Why do I like Costa Rica? It's the Beatty factor.
To the girls in CR - I'm Warren Beatty.
To the girls in the US - I'm Ned Beatty.