Separate tickets - question
 

Because both segments cannot be on a single ticket as the first one is revenue and the second an award, I need to buy a positioning one-way from Bucaramanga to Bogota to catch my Int'l departure out of Bogota later that evening. The Int'l flight departs around 10:30 PM. Although both will be Avianca coded flights, (the Int'l one is operated by Aerogal), out of an abundance of caution I will assume that they will not protect me in case the first flight is late. Therefore I want to give myself at least 4 hours between flights. There is a flight departing Bucaramanga at around 5 PM which arrives BOG at 6 PM and that gives me 4-1/2 hours. Is this enough? I need at least 2 hours to check-in, so I can tolerate a 2 hour delay on the flight to Bogota.

Are the flights usually on time? There are more than 10 schedules to BOG every day, but I don't want to leave too early and then sit in BOG for > 6 hours. The flight before the 5 PM is a 3 PM which gets in around 4 PM so that will mean an almost 7 hour wait. Obviously this one is safer but my preference would be for the 5 PM, unless schedules are known to start going wonky in the evenings. FlightStats gives the 5PM flight an on-time rating of only 65% with an average delay of almost 1 hour!!!

AeroGal is at least a division of Avianca. I don't know if that would help your cause in case of a delay.

I don't know the answer to your question but with those stats I might not chance it.

If it's any consolation the main Bogota airport is really nice, almost a shopping mall. There is more to do over on the domestic side.

Be sure to include an ice cream from Crepes & Waffles upstairs!

IIRC someone had an issue with multiple terminals there?

Have you called Avianca and asked how they would handle this? I found them very helpful.

We flew round Colombia some this past winter. Some flights were delayed. Given the stats you quote, I'd err on the side of extra time. Maybe you could go into the city for a couple hours?

We got stuck in the Bogota airport domestic terminal for maybe 6 hours. It was pretty boring and not particularly comfortable. We wrangled our way into the lounge which at least was more comfortable.

We arrive in Colombia from Ecuador in a few days at the start of two months there and, having read of yestravel's experiences in her trip report, I am definitely erring on the side of caution as far as air travel is concerned. I am planning and hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

Do come back and let us know how you get on.