Copa Airlines

The baggage didn't come when I arrived in Medellin on July 30. It has been 4 days and the baggage is still not here. Called their lost baggage office at Medellin airport but they did not speak English. As an International air carrier, you would think Copa would hire employees who speak English. A very frustrating experience.

Besides the mistakes made at the counter in Costa Rica, which was where I was coming from, the fact that they wanted to bump off people from the flight because they were overbooked and that the stewards knew little English though they were flying to an English speaking country, I had to endure one of the stewards throwing paper at me while I was exiting the plane. This is what led to it. I requested a gluten free diet weeks before my flight and received one on the flight to Panama (which was really a fruit plate). However, I was trying to explain to the male steward on flight heading into Port of Spain on 18th July 2015 that I was going to take a regular meal since I had not eaten in a long time. He just grew frustrated, maybe because he did not speak or understand English well, became angry and kept pointing to a paper saying that he had no name. I calmly said ok and accepted whatever was given - which I could not eat. I fell asleep not even knowing when my tray was taken away. As the plane landed I gave my 'Thank you' to the stewards as I passed. I noticed the male steward stopped speaking to his female coworker and glared at me. As I walked ahead a rolled up piece of paper was thrown in my path. I don't know if it was just carelessly and mindlessly thrown and was disrespectful to me. Such a pity that this is the only airline that flies to Central America.

My second time on Copa, I knew what it was like so I had low expectations. As a Star Alliance Gold passenger I was able to use the business check-in which took less than 1 minute. The agent was not sure which lounge to send me to - I have a Turkish Gold Card. Eventually I chose the SAS Business Lounge, which is one of the better Star Alliance Gold lounges at O'hare T5. It has slightly better food with excellent views of the apron and runway. Don't use the Swissport Lounge. The fight departs on time. B737-800 has the interior almost identical to a United aircraft. It's an old plane - things are a little frayed and worn but not falling apart. Seat pitch is a little tight, comparable to US airlines. There was no IFE but drop down monitors every 3 rows and free headphones were handed out. On this 5 hour flight, dinner was served 1 hour after take off. There was no choice for entree, which was a layer of cheesy baked mashed potatoes on top of seasoned sauteeed ground beef with vegetables. It was quite good in fact but portion was small. Basic uninspiring salad, packaged dessert. As usual, alcohol is free (whisky, beer, red wine, white wine). Flight attendants served several rounds of water throughout the flight but there was no refreshment service before landing. No newspaper service, no hot towels. Flight attendants seem to be professional and pleasant. Overall it's slightly better than US airlines but far below Asian carriers in economy on comparable routes in both amenities and comfort. If you're able to get a good deal on Copa then I'd recommend flying it.

Flew from Tampa to Panama in business class and Panama to San Jose in economy on 9 July. Paradoxically, the meal was better on the shorter flight in economy. On both flights, the adjoining seat was unoccupied, which makes all the difference regardless of which cabin you are in. Ground staff in Tampa were cheerful and helpful, and my luggage was waiting for me as soon as I cleared immigration in SJO. Inflight crew on the PTY-SJO segment were less personable, but they are to be commended for completing a full beverage and snack service on a 1 hour flight.

No blankets or pillows provided and I was freezing on the flight. The food wasn't good, I personally feel American Airlines is better than Copa but the flights were right on schedule and the staff were polite overall.

I had a connecting in Sao Paulo airport. The ground staff are very good - helpful and polite. Cabin staff are good. Not much entertainment option on these narrowbody aircraft. Overall good service, especially for timing.

The crew was warm and welcoming, the plane clean, and though the flight was just 1 hour and 10 minutes, they served a delicious lunch. Though the flight from Panama City to San Jose was on the expensive side for so short a hop, I may fly Copa next time from US to Panama instead of American!

Flew YUL-PTY-MGA on April 12 and MGA-PTY-YUL on April 25. The longhaul flight on the outbound was equipped with individual screen and personal entertainment system but the one on the inbound still had the overhead screens. I found that the aircraft's were new and clean the flight attendants were kind and attentive and all flights were right on time. I was able to book exit row seats on all my flights free of charge directly on their web site. And Tocumen airport is really convenient for connections as you do not have to go through customs or any other form of control when you are in transit (you simply go from one gate to the other in less than 10 minutes).

3/17/15 CM 760 from Lima to Panama. My first plane was late but I was assured over and over again that I would make my connecting flight - I literally ran from one end of Panama airport to the other to catch my connecting flight. Of course when I got to the gate a very unfriendly and cold man stated that the flight was closed (I could see that the plane was still there). I had to spend the night in Panama when my husband had already driven 125 miles to pick me up at Los Angeles airport. Food was served that tasted and looked like cardboard. My first and last trip with Copa Airlines. Never again!

COPA staff smiling cheerful and attentive to customers' needs. I flew MEX-PTY in Economy and PTY-MEX in Business Class and I was delighted. Great staff on both legs. Decent free food and free drinks in economy. Very good food and decent drinks in business class. Worth mentioning is that COPA even in economy class allow you to choose your seat before your flight and that they allow you to travel in the emergency row without extra cost (most of the airlines now charge you a fee for the emergency row: I find this practice miserable). Very efficient web check in and bag drop off. Will fly them again.