LACSALR

DEFUNCT AIRLINE: LACSA ceased operations on October 1, 2013, following its merger with Avianca. This guide provides historical information about Costa Rica's flag carrier. For current travel, refer to Avianca.

LACSA (Líneas Aéreas Costarricenses) was the flag carrier of Costa Rica and one of the most important airlines in Central America. Founded on September 12, 1945, in San José, Costa Rica, LACSA operated for nearly 68 years as a symbol of Costa Rican aviation and a key regional carrier.

At its peak, LACSA served over 40 destinations across Central America, North America, and the Caribbean, operating a modern fleet of Airbus and ATR aircraft. The airline was particularly known for its strong presence at San José Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), which served as its main hub and focus city.

LACSA was a Oneworld alliance member from 2007, alongside partner carriers including American Airlines, British Airways, and Iberia. This membership provided seamless connections across the alliance network. In December 2012, LACSA was acquired by Avianca, and operations were fully integrated by October 1, 2013, when the final LACSA flight operated.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION: The policies below reflect LACSA's final baggage rules before the merger. For current policies, see Avianca.

Carry-On Allowance (Final 2013)

Personal Item (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 18" x 14" x 8" (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
• Must fit under the seat
• Examples: Backpack, purse, laptop bag

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
• No weight limit on most flights
• Included on all fare classes

Checked Baggage (Final 2013 Rates)

Domestic Flights (within Central America):

Bag	Fee	Weight Limit
1st Bag	Included	50 lbs (23 kg)
2nd Bag	$35-45	50 lbs (23 kg)
3rd+ Bag	$75-100	50 lbs (23 kg)

International Flights (US/Caribbean/Europe):

Bag	Fee	Weight Limit
1st Bag	$25-50 (varies by route)	50 lbs (23 kg)
2nd Bag	$50-75	50 lbs (23 kg)
3rd+ Bag	$100+	50 lbs (23 kg)

Oneworld Alliance Benefits: Oneworld Gold members and LACSA frequent flyer elite received:

• +1 free checked bag on international flights
• Priority baggage handling
• Oversize/overweight fee waivers

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Included	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboards	Included	Oversize fee waived
Bicycle	$50-75	Must be boxed
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Sports equipment	Standard fee	Varied by item

Cabin Classes (Historical)

Business Class (Final Configuration):

• Available on select routes to Miami and New York
• Wider seats with increased pitch (38-40 inches)
• Priority boarding and dedicated overhead bins
• Enhanced meal service with premium beverages
• Amenity kits on international flights
• Lounge access at SJO through Oneworld partnerships

Economy Class:

• Standard 31-32" pitch on Airbus A320 fleet
• 3-3 cabin configuration
• Complimentary beverages on all flights
• Snacks on short-haul regional flights
• Light meals on flights exceeding 4 hours
• Personal device streaming and WiFi on select aircraft

Fleet (Final Configuration)

LACSA's final fleet consisted of:

• Airbus A320 (narrowbody, 150 seats): Domestic and regional flights
• Airbus A321 (narrowbody, 170+ seats): Longer regional and transatlantic routes
• ATR 42/72 (turboprops): Regional focus cities and smaller Central American airports
• Airbus A330-200 (widebody, 240 seats): Long-haul transatlantic service to Europe

The fleet was modern by Central American standards, with average aircraft age of 12-15 years at the time of integration.