Avianca adds Braille row markers to Airbus A320 planes for accessibility

Key Takeaways

• Over 60 Avianca Airbus A320s now have braille and high-contrast row markers for visually impaired travelers.
• Braille signage was developed with INCI and installation completed at Avianca’s Medellin maintenance center.
• Avianca plans restroom braille signs by 2025 and has trained over 5,500 employees in accessibility support.

Avianca, one of the top airlines in Latin America, is making air travel much easier for people with visual impairments. The company has added new, clearer row markers on over 60 of its planes, using braille and high-contrast numbers to help travelers find their seats on their own. These updates focus mainly on Avianca’s large group of Airbus A320 planes, which fly most of the company’s domestic and international routes. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this change is not just about basic requirements—it shows a new way of thinking in the airline industry about making travel open and comfortable for everyone.

Making Travel More Accessible: What’s New on Avianca’s Planes

Let’s start with what’s changed on board. On 60 planes in Avianca’s Airbus A320 family, you’ll now find row markers that are easy to spot and feel. Each row sign has:

• Braille: A tactile writing system used by people who are blind or have low vision. Braille lets people read by touching raised dots that spell out numbers and words.
• High-Contrast Numbers: Large, bold numbers that stand out against the background, making them much easier to see for travelers with low vision.

These upgrades mean that if you have trouble seeing, you can find your row without having to ask for help. The ability to move around more confidently can help reduce anxiety and make travel feel more independent.

The braille supplies for these new row markers were created in partnership with Instituto Nacional de Ciegos (INCI), Colombia’s national institute for the blind. This organization helped ensure that the braille is easy to read by touch and is sturdy enough to last through the daily demands of air travel. All of the manufacturing and installation work took place at Avianca’s main maintenance center in Medellin, following strict guidelines to keep up both safety and quality.

Beyond the Row Markers: More Braille Coming Soon

While the new row markers are a big step, Avianca’s work is not finished. The airline plans to put braille signs in other places on the aircraft, such as restrooms, by 2025. This will make moving around inside the plane even easier for passengers who are blind or have low vision. These plans will cover all Airbus A320 aircraft as part of a larger effort to make every flight as accessible as possible.

These upcoming additions show that Avianca’s promise is ongoing and not just a one-time effort. The airline wants each part of the cabin to be easy for travelers of all abilities to use safely and with dignity.

Part of a Bigger Program: Avianca Accessible

These new features are one piece of the company’s wide-ranging “Avianca Accessible” program. This program reaches every step of the travel journey, not just what happens inside the plane. Since it began, more than 50 practical steps have been put in place to help passengers with different needs. Here are some key actions:

• Staff Training: More than 5,500 Avianca employees have taken special classes to help passengers with disabilities. This includes support for people who are blind, have physical challenges, intellectual disabilities, or are neurodivergent (having brains that work in unique ways, like autism or ADHD).
• Digital Accessibility: Avianca’s website has been redesigned so all travelers can use it easily. The site is now set up to give personalized information based on your specific needs—whether you have a visual, hearing, intellectual, or physical disability.

The aim is not just to make flights easier but to help before and after you reach your destination, too. By making information and staff support better, Avianca wants all travelers to feel informed and confident at every step.

Why This Matters: Industry Change Motivated by Empathy

Michael Swiatek, the Chief Accessibility Officer at Abra (which owns Avianca), summed up the heart of the program, saying, “Avianca Accessible is built on empathy, common sense, and universal design… We want more and more travelers with disabilities to enjoy a comfortable travel experience adapted to their needs.”

This means Avianca isn’t just checking a box to meet airline rules. Instead, the company believes everyone has the right to travel comfortably and safely. This push for inclusion goes beyond what regulations require and aims to set new standards for all airlines.

Deep Dive: The Role of the Airbus A320 in Avianca’s Efforts

The Airbus A320 family of airplanes is very important for Avianca. These planes make up most of their fleet and connect key cities across Latin America and beyond. Because these aircraft are used so often and serve so many different types of travelers, making them accessible has a big impact.

When over 60 Airbus A320 planes are updated with braille and high-contrast row markers, it covers most of Avianca’s busiest routes. People traveling for work, family visits, or holidays all benefit. This move helps many passengers, especially those who may never have felt comfortable flying before, to take these journeys with less worry and more independence.

By bringing in these upgrades across the Airbus A320 fleet, Avianca is not only helping those aboard right now but also teaching other airlines that these changes are both possible and worthwhile.

How the Partnership Worked: Bringing in INCI’s Expertise

Avianca did not work alone. The airline teamed up with Instituto Nacional de Ciegos (INCI), Colombia’s top authority on supporting people who are blind. INCI’s experience made sure that the markers would be truly helpful. They checked that the braille could be easily read by touch—meaning the dots are the right size, the spacing is correct, and the materials can stand up to constant use.

Making these changes in Avianca’s Medellin facility allowed the team to monitor the quality closely. It also gave staff time to learn the best ways to clean and maintain the new markers, which is an important part of keeping them helpful for everyone, flight after flight.

Future Commitments: Expanding and Improving Accessibility

Avianca is not stopping with just row markers and restrooms. The company’s commitment to accessibility is ongoing. By the middle of 2025, Avianca hopes that every single Airbus A320 it flies will have these braille and high-contrast updates. Plans also include looking at other ways to make cabins easier to use for people with all sorts of disabilities.

This drive to keep improving sends a clear message to the airline industry: making air travel open and welcoming for everyone should be the goal.

Comparing Avianca’s Approach: A Model for Other Airlines

Here’s how Avianca’s accessibility work stands out:

• Beyond Compliance: Many airlines only follow the minimum rules required by law. Avianca is doing much more by bringing in extra features and training.
• Passenger Comfort: Each update is designed with real travelers’ needs in mind. This means more comfort, confidence, and freedom for all passengers, not just those with disabilities.
• International Reach: Because the Airbus A320 flies all over Latin America and to other countries, these changes benefit a wide range of people from different backgrounds.

Other airlines can see that these improvements are not just possible but practical—and that they make sense for everyone.

Real-Life Impact: What This Means for Travelers

For a traveler who is blind or has low vision, finding your seat independently makes a huge difference. It can help you feel more in control of your own journey. Accessible signs also mean less need to rely on other passengers or crew members, which can help keep travel private and self-directed.

There are other pluses, too:

• Faster Boarding: When people can find their seats on their own, it can make boarding the plane quicker for everybody.
• Less Stress: Knowing the signs are easy to see and touch means less uncertainty, which can be a big relief before a long trip.
• Higher Confidence: Feeling included helps travelers choose flights with more freedom, which can indirectly boost travel demand.

Staff: The Front Line of Accessibility

Having the right tools on board is important, but so is having trained staff. Avianca has invested in its people just as much as its planes. More than 5,500 team members have now learned:

• How to help someone who uses a wheelchair, cane, or guide animal.
• Ways to support passengers with unique learning or thinking styles.
• The best communication methods for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech challenges.

Travelers can now expect a more understanding and helpful experience, from booking to landing.

Digital Support: Help Before the Journey Starts

Avianca knows that many challenges begin before you even see the plane. That’s why their website was changed to support all types of disabilities. Visitors can find travel tips, the best routes, and details about what to expect at the airport, all personalized for their needs.

Travelers can use these resources to plan their trip, know what help is available, and make requests up front. Having this information online saves time and gives peace of mind.

For more details about what airlines are required to do for accessible travel, you can visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s accessibility page.

Broader Impact: Spreading Good Practices in Latin America

While many advances in accessible travel often start in Europe or North America, Avianca is showing that strong changes are also being made in Latin America. With its focus on the Airbus A320, Avianca is setting an example for other airlines in the region. This will likely encourage them to look at their own fleets and see what more can be done for all travelers.

By sharing their work and inviting outside groups like INCI to help, Avianca is driving more honest talks about what real accessibility looks like—not just checking off a list.

Summary Table: Key Features at a Glance

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Accessibility in Aviation

Avianca’s steps, especially on the Airbus A320, are far-reaching. As more airlines see these benefits, it’s likely that similar updates will spread to other fleets and regions. The long-term goal is that one day, accessible air travel won’t be special—it will just be the standard everywhere.

In the meantime, Avianca’s current upgrades already mean smoother trips, more independence, and better experiences for thousands of passengers each year.

For those planning a trip with Avianca, or any travelers looking for helpful accessibility information, it’s a good idea to check official websites and support lines before booking. With more airlines joining in, the sky is becoming a friendlier place for all.

This thoughtful approach shows what’s possible when airlines work together with disability experts and put travelers’ needs first. The recent progress—especially the addition of braille and clear markers on Airbus A320 jets—marks an important step in making flying better and more open for everyone.

Learn Today

Braille → A tactile writing system using raised dots, enabling blind or visually impaired people to read with their fingers.
Airbus A320 → A popular narrow-body jet aircraft, forming a significant portion of Avianca’s fleet for domestic and international flights.
INCI → Instituto Nacional de Ciegos, Colombia’s national institute for the blind, consulting on accessible solutions like braille signage.
High-Contrast Numbers → Large, bold numbers on row markers, providing easier seat identification for those with low vision.
Digital Accessibility → Designing websites and digital tools to be usable by people with disabilities, including visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments.

This Article in a Nutshell

Avianca has equipped over 60 Airbus A320 jets with braille and high-contrast row markers, aiding travelers with visual impairments. This initiative, developed with INCI, includes further plans for restroom signage and digital accessibility. Avianca’s approach sets a new standard, making the skies easier and more independent for all.
— By VisaVerge.com

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