Flight routing
- 1
- 2AV626- Economy - San Salvador
Adios, land of volcanos
Welcome to the return leg of my trip; SAL to YYZ
After spending a week in Central America's smallest nation, it was time to jet back to Canada.
Route & Aircraft details
Aircraft Registration: N603AV
Aircraft Type: Airbus A320
Operator: Avianca El Salvador
Delivered: 2013
MSN: 5840
departure & boarding
We arrived at Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport around 5:30AM. The airport was already busy as the morning bank was in full swing.
As the sun began to rise, the departure lounge slowly began to fill. Along with our YYZ flight were flights departing to IAD, MCO, EWR, BOS, LAX and numerous destinations in Central America.
Despite being an early flight, SAL offered a good, yet small selection of breakfast options. From the restaurant I did some spotting. Here in N687TA, the same aircraft I flew from YYZ on. This aircraft was bound for BOS.
This A321, N692AV, was preparing for the LAX flight which was next to our aircraft.
Our aircraft swung into the gate about 1 hour prior to departure from SJO. I was hoping that it would have been a NEO aircraft.
Before getting to the actual departure gate, a second security screening was done. The agents confiscated items like coffee that were bought after the first screening which I found weird. Boarding was delayed about 30 minutes for an unknown cause.
in-flight
Upon bording LRC626, I was quick to notice it was an updated Avianca interior. I was seated in the exit row, with more than adequate leg room.
Seat 15A had a clear view of the tarmac and of the other aircraft.
As we were slightly late, cabin crew set the mood lighting. We taxied to the main runway as the crew did the security briefing/
IFE route map
Taxi & Takeoff
View of the volcanos
Our aircraft flew outward over the eastern coasts of Central America. The views in the distant were of Belize and the Barrier reef.
Our breakfast service came about 1 hour into flight. The option I chose was the Ham and Cheese Crepe. This is one of two meals we got in flight as there was also a ham and cheese sandwich near to arrival into Toronto.
More inflight pictures as we made our way over the Gulf and over Florida.
Lavatory
Cruise over the USA
arrival
As we approached Canada, views of southern Ontario could be seen.
Descending into YYZ
Over the GTA
Landing and arrival at the gate by T1.
One last look at the chariot.
Below is a photo from the canonization of Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero. It was an absolute privilege to be able to spectate something so important to Salvadorian people.
The mountain ranges of the nation's northern region.
Hello Jaz350,
Glad to see the return trip to back to Lester B.
Very odd about confiscating drinks purchased post-security. Is that because it’s flying over the U.S., maybe? The only place I can remember seeing anything like this is out of China, where they were stripping people of water bottles during jetway security checks for a PEK-DTW flight.
Always disappointing to take a half-hour delay with new explanation, much less apology. These things happen, but communication should be a must!
Nice to get a couple of meals on this flight — although I’m not sure that crepe dish is doing much for me in terms of aesthetics.
A very nice tourist bonus as well… especially those last two shots in the mountains. Very idyllic.
Thanks for sharing this, and happy flying!
Actually they were confiscating dry packaged coffee beans which were sold in the departure hall. Also I assumed the delay was for the late arrival of our incoming aircraft but I'm glad we were soon on our way. I was not a fan of ham and cheese with any type of food but it wasn't too bad. Thanks again for reading!
HI JAZ350, thanks for another nice report! The cabin looks really nice and modern with the mood lighting and IFE, also the seats look comfortable. Certainly nicer than any A320 operated by a US carrier. I'm also a fan of Avianca's new-ish livery. Avianca often have good fares in J from DC. If it weren't for my mindless loyalty to AA/oneworld, I would be so tempted to fly them from IAD.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I agree with you, it was a big step up from my YYZ-SAL route which had the TACA interior. I also think that Jetblue's newer cabin is also quite nice compared to that of the other carriers. I was once loyal to AA/BA when I lived in BGI as they were the go-to airlines back in the day.