Copa Airlines is an interesting airline to know about. Located at the junction of two continents, this Panamanian airline connects America from north to south. It operates a single-model fleet of about 100 Boeing 737s. But compared to other all-737 airlines that follow the low-cost carrier model, Copa Airlines is completely different. It is a full-service airline with premium cabins and some of the longest 737 routes.
Like most 737-based airlines in the world, Copa Airlines has invested heavily in the MAX, and the MAX’s troubles in the past few years have also had a significant impact on it. But on the bright side, Copa Airlines has done its best with the MAX and launched a new premium cabin called the “Dream” business class. The Dream seat is designed for Copa Airlines’ medium-haul flights, which are 4 to 7 hours long and require high sleep quality.
On a recent trip, we had the opportunity to try out Copa and its new MAX seats. We also got a tour of the relatively new terminal at the airline’s Panama City hub. The trip was a little fraught, which we’ll get to later. But we still ended up with a good feel for the airline, its new seat design, and the latest updates to its home airport.
Read on to learn more about our time flying with Copa and exploring Panama City Airport.
Pre-flight preparations in San Diego
We flew an award flight with Copa Airlines from Santiago to Washington, DC via Panama City. For anyone considering flying Copa Airlines from Santiago, here is a quick overview of the Primeclass Pacifico lounge used by Copa Airlines premium cabin passengers.
Dream Business Class Seat
We couldn’t wait to get on the bus and find our seats. It was a midnight flight and we wanted to get some sleep.
Copa’s MAX aircraft feature 12 or 16 lie-flat Dreams seats in the front row, arranged in a 2-2 configuration.
The biggest advantage of this seat – and the reason why it’s called the Dream – is that it lies completely flat, which makes for a better sleeping experience. Many airlines offer this seat as a long-haul business class seat on wide-body aircraft. You can also sometimes find this seat on other airlines’ 737s, 757s, and A320s. But lie-flat seats are more the exception than the rule on these single-aisle aircraft. So, as far as 737 business class is concerned, the Dream is fantastic.
Here are some of the seat decorations and features. There is a small partition between the seats, but don’t expect the next seat to give you enough privacy.
The Dreams branding is strong and the seat upholstery is novel.
The flight attendant came over with some pre-takeoff juice and water.
Boarding was completed on time and we departed. Since it was a night departure, there was nothing to see outside the window when we left.
Keep entertained
Each seat at Dreams is equipped with a 16-inch screen, and next to each seat is a remote control with its own small screen.
The movie and TV library is more than enough to pass the time on a few short or medium-haul flights.
The pillows and blankets were nice. Reasonable for a sleep-centric product.
Everything was going well until…
We were about to fall asleep when the first officer announced that our plane was turning around and heading back to San Diego. Apparently, one of the crew members in the back of the plane had felt an unusual vibration. This flight had taken place a few months earlier, much closer to the Alaska Airlines door jam incident and the subsequent MAX grounding. We couldn’t help but wonder if the crew had been more anxious about the MAX around the time of the incident.
As soon as the plane got back to the gate, maintenance personnel came on board. After a fifteen-minute inspection, they gave the plane a clean bill of health. We took off again, this time three hours later than planned. Were we mad? Of course. Do we blame the crew for putting safety first? Never.
Interestingly, on the same day as our flight, Copa Airlines proudly Announce According to reliable sources, it was ranked as the most punctual airline in Central America in 2023 ThripsTo be fair, in the months since our flight, Operation log The San Diego to Panama route was spotless.
The universe does have a strange sense of humor.
We ended up getting a bit of sleep on the plane and woke up for breakfast before the plane landed. Nothing special but tasted good.
We arrived in Panama City very late. But we were intact. That’s what matters.
Stroll through the heart of America
We missed our flight due to a mysterious aircraft vibration incident, so we had more time to explore Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport.
As Copa Airlines has grown in recent years, the airport’s main passenger terminal has become overcrowded. As a result, the airport has built a brand new Terminal 2, which will open in 2022. On the airport map below, you can see the new terminal on the left and the old Terminal 1 on the right.
This is a very beautiful looking building.
Copa has large lounges in both terminals. As you might expect, the lounge in the new terminal looks more up-to-date.
The decor is attractive, the WiFi is reasonably fast, and there is plenty of seating. Despite the size of the lounge, it can get a bit crowded at times, largely because it is also a Priority Pass lounge. Another downside is that Copa lounges are not known for their food, and this location is no exception.
A big plus is that the T2 lounge has a fantastic view of the ramp.
We waited a few hours here before boarding our rebooked flight to Washington, D.C., half a day later than planned. At least we got to see a beautiful sunset as the plane left Panama City.
judgment
In the end, our trip on Copa’s Dreams business class was a little bumpy. However, we got to experience the airline first-hand and its new PTY terminal, which we were looking forward to. Overall, we were very impressed with both companies.
advantage:
– The fully flat Dreams seats are better than the business class seats on most airlines’ single-aisle aircraft.
– Copa’s first-class fares are generally quite competitive, at least from our flight searches. Regional rival Avianca sometimes offers lower prices, but their single-aisle aircraft feature a basic European-style business class cabin with an enclosed economy seat in the middle, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. Copa’s economy fares are generally comparable to those on major U.S. airlines.
– The new Terminal 2 in Tocumen is very nice and new.
– You can book an extended stay in Panama City as part of your Copa flight itinerary. The city is perfect for a day or two.
– Our crazy experience aside, Copa Airlines does have a reputation for being relatively punctual.
shortcoming:
– Copa Airlines is a hub-and-spoke airline, so unless your destination is Panama City, you are guaranteed a stopover.
– Copa Airlines’ pre-MAX 737s (which make up two-thirds of its fleet) don’t have Dreams seats, but instead offer reclining seats in business class. If you want a lie-flat seat, be sure to book a MAX flight, and even then, there’s always the possibility of a last-minute equipment change.
– Half of the airline’s passenger traffic still operates through Tocumen’s old, congested Terminal 1, rather than the newer Terminal 2.
– While Copa Clubs is a comfortable place to spend time, don’t expect too much from its food or other facilities.
The airline recently Launch of services With flights to Austin and Raleigh-Durham, it’s a more viable option for U.S. passengers flying south.
If you’ve flown with Copa, we’d love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
