Copa Airlines has a well-deserved nickname for its home and hub airport in Panama City, Panama: the “hub of the Americas.” And that it is. This Star Alliance-member carrier does just that connecting travelers from dozens of cities in North and Central America with the Caribbean to South America with shorter travel times than other airlines, and often, at a lower price. In exchange, travelers commit to flying on narrowbody planes (sometimes for as long as seven hours), but still while enjoying amenities from a full-service airline. Here’s why you should consider it for a north-to-south (or vice-versa) trip.
The power of location
Based in Panama (halfway between North and South America), the airline’s main hub is perfectly positioned for short and medium-haul flights serving as a bridge between the Americas. And since the airline does not operate a wide-body fleet, Copa is more nimble and able to serve niche markets that other airlines cannot do as easily.
With Copa, you can fly between dozens of destinations with just one short stop in Panama City (an itinerary no other airline can offer with the same short travel time since there is relatively little backtracking when flying Copa due to its central hub).
Copa serves nearly three dozen destinations with a huge concentration in the United States. These travelers can easily connect in Panama City across the Caribbean and both Central and South America. In many Copa destinations (like Mendoza, Argentina or Florianopolis, Brazil), it is the only airline flying such a long distance giving it an edge over the competition.
The ideal fleet for the job
Copa flies an all Boeing 737 fleet that includes its original -700 and -800 models, but also its newer and longer-range 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 planes. This American-made fleet of planes gives the carrier a scope that is unrivaled for a non-U.S. airline, but with some sectors being at least four or five hours, it pays to know which cabin you are experiencing.
Traveling with an airline that has just one fleet type is beneficial. If there is a mechanical problem with one aircraft, it can easily be swapped out with another. Crews are also equally proficient making the risk of delay or cancellation far less likely. Plus, smaller planes like the B737 are able to reach destinations with shorter runways than the widebody planes of other airlines.
Business class is not created equally
The airline is making major changes to its aircraft. This is because Copa wins the prize for operating the longest sectors for a 737 on the planet, and this means that even in business class, comfort is sometimes sacrificed. That’s why those paying top dollar should search for routes operated by the airline’s newest B737 MAX 9 planes. These are the only aircraft to be fitted with fully-lie-flat beds in a 2-2 configuration. Do not just assume that a plane with a 2-2 layout has the same experience.
With so many planes stuck in the old layout, this can be a tough one to decipher unless you look deeply for the exact aircraft type. It will take years for the airline to retrofit the number of aircraft it has planned for this new flat-bed design. I have flown it, and it’s light years better than the recliner seats the airline uses on its longer flights (sometimes as many as seven hours).
No matter what aircraft you get, the inflight service is the same. The meals are not elaborate, but they are tasty enough. If you are hoping for a hot meal, Copa does not turn on the ovens unless the flight is over 3.5 hours. Meals arrive rather unceremoniously on a single tray.
To me, dining on a plane is a form of entertainment and a way to pass the time on longer flights so Copa’s meals can be a disappointment for some used to more impressive presentations on other long-haul airlines. This is most probably due to a lack of galley space on the smaller planes that Copa flies.
One thing I do not like is that Copa sometimes does not serve the main meal right after take off (as most other carriers do to allow people the maximum time to sleep). On some flights, Copa’s service protocol is to wait several hours until it is meal time at the destination, and then wake everyone up to serve the meal. Friendly word of advice: ask about the timing so as not to be disturbed.
Economy class is a tight squeeze
The one flight I took on Copa in economy was one of its longest from Santiago to Panama City. With an all Boeing 737 fleet, the 3-3 configuration and only two lavatories in the back of the plane can be a tight squeeze. I recommend paying for an exit row or one of the Economy Extra seats at the front of the plane for more space.
Copa offers hot meals in economy on longer flights and light snacks on shorter ones, all free of charge.
Entertainment ranges from great to nothing
Depending on the aircraft, the planes will have different types of entertainment options. Some, like the Boeing 737-700 have none at all while the newest Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes have individual touch screens at each seat. Both the Boeing MAX 8 and 9 models have “Showpass,” which is a digital entertainment system accessible via your own smart device or computer.
The standard Boeing 737-800 planes have drop-down overhead screens, which means everyone is forced to watch the same movie simultaneously. Like everything else with Copa, I find great value in researching the aircraft type in advance to determine the best seat and entertainment offering in advance. It’s hard to avoid certain planes, however, since that may be the only option flying to your destination.
An impressive new hub airport terminal
For years, the airline operated out of an overflowing, overcrowded terminal that could not handle the crowds that would converge on it for two hours and then disappear. Since Copa operates as a hub-and-spoke airline, dozens of flights are timed to arrive and depart at the same time to allow for maximum connectivity between cities. The airport can be packed and then empty within hours after flights depart.
The new terminal is a striking change with curving lines, soaring ceilings, tons of glass and a more futuristic look. In short, I love it. With the new terminal comes an expanded Copa Club, which is the airline’s membership lounge. If you have a business class ticket or certain elite status tiers from a Star Alliance member program, you can get in for free.
It’s a beautiful space with great views of the planes, but do not arrive hungry. I always wonder why the airline skimps on the food service. It’s mostly finger food like sandwiches and crudites, but at least there is an open bar that seems to keep everyone busy.
ConnectMiles and the Star Alliance program
The airline’s frequent flier program is very popular with travelers in Central America as well as its other destinations. It offers the chance to earn or redeem miles on Copa or any other Star Alliance member.
In case you are interested in a little history, the now-defunct Continental Airlines acquired a large share of Copa in the late 1980s and continued to partner with and provide support for decades. This is why the livery, onboard product and loyalty program shares many similarities with Continental, which later merged with United.
Like other U.S. programs (and unlike other programs in Central and South America), elite status members are treated to complimentary upgrades when space is available. Imagine getting a free upgrade on a seven hour flight to Buenos Aires! I like how the program also offers free upgrades to elite members on award tickets, which is a nice perk, as well as the option to upgrade a traveling companion.
Members can use miles or upgrade certificates they get for reaching certain status tiers to fly up front, too. There are other ways to upgrade, even if you do not participate in the ConnectMiles program. This includes a bidding system where economy class passengers can place a bid before departure with the highest offers given an upgrade based on space.
Another benefit that I appreciate for having elite status with United, a partner Star Alliance carrier, is that I can use miles or points from my United MileagePlus accounts to upgrade to business class on Copa. This is typically how I upgrade my flights to business and represents great value in exchange for loyalty to one of Copa’s partner airlines.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
