Copa Airlines

Orlando-Quito-Orlando via Panama on an award ticket using my OnePass miles. I make frequent trips to South America and after flying US carriers many times I was shocked by how different the experience was. All flights left on time aircraft were quite new and well-maintained onboard service was warm and professional (they actually thank you with a smile when picking up garbage and service items and treat you as if they value your business) they permit non-elite customers to book exit row seats the food was edible liquor was available free of charge and the transfer in Panama was absolutely painless and stress-free. Given the efficiency of the ground crew in Panama and the airline in general short connection times in Panama should not be a problem. I also had an issue with my reservation that needed to be worked out prior to my departure and instead of being placed on hold for an unreasonable amount of time or waiting in line for an hour at the airport check-in counter only to be greeted by someone who treats you like the enemy a Copa representative assisted me through their 24-hour live chat service after only having to wait 30 seconds and spared me a lot of time and headache.

LIM-PTY. Nice flight helpful FAs and a nice breakfast. Got into Panama a few minutes early and had plenty of time to make my connection with Continental Airlines.

Copa changed my flight time Cartagena-Bogotá from 1250 to 2009 and did not tell me. I noticed this by chance and spent over one hour trying to get through to someone to put me on an earlier flight. No explanation no apologies.

Bogota to Cartagena and back. The flight was just over an hour but plane was clean and seemed modern and well maintained. The flight attendants and ground staff pleasant and friendly flights good value for money.

SJO-EZE via PTY. The first flight in a clean Embraer 190 crew friendly and attentive service was ok. In PTY we de-boarded the plane on stairs but took hours for the bus to leave to the terminal even though everyone was on it. Boarding in PTY was quick and we were greeted by attentive flight attendants who were not that friendly. Inflight a nice meal and checked the cabin every now and again. I have to say however that the entertainment system in this B737-800 was very poor limited to overhead video screens. Also the seats on the plane are comfortable but could recline a little more.

JFK-PMA-CTGA-JFK. I have flown Copa for a number of years and this is the first time I faced disappointment on both flights. Attendants indifferent and inattentive. After serving the meal they disappeared for the rest of the flight. Copa used to give a beverage first and then another with your meal. Now it's just the beverage with your meal. My gluten-free meal never appeared. On the flight down to Panama one toilet was out of working order. They did leave and arrive on time however.

MAO-PTY-AUA-POS-PTY-MAO I am a Copa frequent flyer I should say their ground service is still good but onboard is going downhill. Only snacks offered even on long flights crew indifferent and pretend to be doing a favour for you. Airport agents always desperate to solve overbooking problems but in general they are value for money and they are still better than some US legacy carriers.

Copa Airlines MVD to JFK through PTY and back. At check-in in in Uruguay I was upgraded to Clase Ejecutiva on both segments of the flight which was a surprise. First leg of the flight over 7 hours long so after a good meal and some drinks decided to go to sleep. The seats were hard and not comfy for sleeping. Inflight entertainment so-so. Had the chance to experience the Copa Airlines lounge at PTY no great surprise either. Second leg of the journey as good as the first part only a bit shorter. Return trip nearly the same except that there was no Inflight Entertainment on first leg and the second leg went without wine. All in all a good experience but for long trips especially with children prepare one or two movies and some reading because you can suffer quickly in B737'S.

I'm having the worst experience with Copa Airlines as I'm sitting at the airport. They don't know how to handle their business I will never use them again. First they mess up my flight back home and was told to standby - I'm now on waiting list for 12 hrs and still no seats assigned. My boyfriend and I had to take different flights in order to get home.

MEX-SJO-MGA-MEX. First time traveling with Copa and I was pleased with their product. All flights on time nice hub in PTY very nice catering good selection of beverages and friendly FAs. The planes (B737NG) have a good entertainment system on flights longer than 3 hours with overhead TV screens. They play a selection from four featured films and one sitcom which are updated monthly.