Copa Airlines

ORD-PTY-GIG-PTY-ORD. Overall I think their service is consistent with 3 stars; they're the United of Panama. I'll fly them again if I have to and only when they offer the lowest fare. One thing that really turned me off was that they didn't hold the connecting flight for late arriving passengers delayed due to bad weather in Chicago. We took off 1.5 hours late from Chicago. When I arrived I was greeted at the end of the jet bridge by a staff member already holding a new boarding pass for me. They put me on the next flight 6 hours later. They could have and should have held that flight for 10 minutes for me and other passengers connecting to Brazil. Seat pitch is very tight but that's expected for a 3-star airlines and on a B737. Their turnaround time on the ground was so short that I don't think their cleaning staff had enough time to clean thoroughly. As a result seat pockets still have trash in them. Equipment shows sign of ageing even though they claim to have one of the youngest fleets; I flew on a B737-800. Hot meals were served (all of my flights were over 5 hours) but portion was tiny. Typically airlines food. Dessert was a cookie. On the way back the meal choices were exactly the same no variation between routes. It looks like either chicken with rice or spaghetti with beef whenever you get on a COPA flight. I did notice that their alcoholic choices were better than on United. One thing they were free. Another thing is you could get more variety: red white whiskey vodka and rum. FAs were very average in their service. I asked for tea but the FA completely forgot. Another time I asked for water but my request was also forgotten. They were clearly overworked. Only 3 FAs serving a full economy section with meal and drink service. If you're in the back you can expect to wait for 1 hour before you can get a meal or a drink.

POS-PTY-LIM. Overall fairly positive experience but very expensive at $800. Aircraft in Trinidad was a new Embraer and while roomy and comfortable - we had exit row seats - the most noticeable feature was how cold the plane was. Given that it was 30+ degrees outside this seemed a bit ridiculous. I mentioned it to one of the crew and was given a blanket promptly. One of our party was told in Port of Spain that 'due to a computer issue in Panama' one of our travel party - who had been unable to check in online - would have to have a standby boarding pass for the connection to Lima but that she would definitely be able to travel on the flight. This was not true. In actual fact the flight was massively oversold and the airline had suspended check in that morning. If we had done as we were told and wait there is no way she would have boarded and she would have been stranded for 2 days like many other passengers were. We were lucky. The second flight was of course full but the crew worked hard and food/drinks were fine as was the IFE on overhead screens. Crew were slightly less friendly on this second flight but they were much busier. Overall a good onboard experience only marred by a degree of ineptitude by some of the ground staff.

MAO-PTY-MAO in Business class. I can say that Copa has a very consistent product but their business class model is ageing and not worth the price paid no PTVs seats are 80s model does not recline properly. On embraer aircraft you feel cramped even in business FAs provide blankets and pillows for everyone take your orders on arrival with welcome drinks. Food is good you get entree main dish and deserts the service is friendly but will avoid spending my money on Copa business class they say they are fitting their newer planes with ptv and skyinterior I hope they are.

PTY-CUN. Good experience on all counts. The crew was very warm and accommodating the seat was comfortable but standard for premium class. The food was well prepared and presented. Overall a god solid performance.

I few to Panama from LAX in business class and it was the best flight I've taken. As a Continental mileage plan member I was able to wait in the Admiral lounges in both airports. The food beverages and service exceeded my expectations. We had so many food courses on the flight back to LA that I could not eat it all. Very comfortable seats and fabulous flight attendants.

They offer good service and good prices. I travelled last year from Panama City to Los Angeles in business cabin and everything was perfect. Flight attendants are very helpful and friendly. Catering is very good they offer you a wide selection of food and they have a good selection of drinks.

San Jose Costa Rica to Panama and Panama to Orlando. Both flights very enjoyable. Friendly crew spoke English very well complimentary beverage and hot meal service even on the short segment to Panama. Spotless Embraer 190 and 737-800 aircraft's with decent legroom. Both flights on time. Baggage loading took over 30 minutes but would definitely travel Copa again.

ORD-PTY-SJO: ORD-PTY: older 737-700. Interior was very dated and the seating cramped with a very tight pitch. Old tired seating. Crew polite and efficient though their English (inc'l captain) was weak. IFE was a joke you could barely see the LCD screens. PTY-SJO on an E-190 which was a nice aircraft. More generous space and a more professional crew. SJO-PTY-ORD: Check-in at SJO is an ordeal. SJO-PTY segment was a late flight and was delayed as a result. Equipment was a newer E-190 very nice a/c. Excellent crew very polite and helpful. PTY-ORD segment delayed one hour with no announcement. Ground crew rough and unfriendly. 737-700 in a little better shape than outbound; but still worn seats and very cramped. Captain and crew spoke good to excellent English. Food was okay - typical airline fare. Not sure if I'll go with them again: dislike the flight schedule and so many hours in old cramped plane.

Trinidad to Rio return. Food was typical airline fare and service was excellent. I ordered vegetarian food it was not on board but the crew made something up for me that was excellent. Cabin crew were polite. Seating was ok and I will definitely use them again.

Los Angles to Tocumen and back and was completely satisfied. The 737's were in top shape inside and out. Food was typical airline fare but the service was excellent. Cabin crew were polite but they need more English speaking personnel. Seating was tight so placement at the central Exit door was appreciated on the return flight. I will definitely use them again.