I am considering a trip with my church this summer to Managua, Nicagragua for one week to work with our missionaires there.

I spoke with US today about the DM Award options and found that I have the choice of three airlines, TACA, COPA, and LACSA. TACA seems to have the most direct routing MIA to MGA non-stop while COPA and LACSA connect in either Costa Rica or Panama.

I am curious about level of service on board in both coach and biz. As the nonstop from MIA is less than 3 hours seems hardly worth the extra miles for biz, however, I've never flown coach on a central american flight. I'm curious if the pace and atmosphere in back is typical of domestic North American flights. Has anyone flown coach on any of these airlines from the North America to Central America?

I'm leaning on biz as I tend to much more happy and comfortable with a quiet, relaxing atmosphere and tend to avoid crowds. But I do fly coach the majority of the time when I'm flying domestically in North American so I'm certainly not above coach. Just asking around before I made any decisions.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

James

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US-CP; UA PE; Hilton Gold VIP; Crowne Plaza Gold

You might want to post a link to this thread over in the LatinPass forum. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hi US1,

As a DC-Based LatinPass guy.....

Consider that you can fly TACA from Washington Dulles nonstop to San Salvador, then connect to Managua. Connections in San Salvador are very easy, and you don't need to clear customs. Word of advice: make sure your connection is an hour or less... it's _hard_ to spend more than an hour entertained in the San Salvador airport. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

However, if you decide to fly from ORF....

TACA and LACSA are pretty much owned by the same folks-- meaning in-flight service will be equal. COPA is partly owned by Continental-- you will swear you're inside CO 737s... but with the option of tropical juices. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

My take: while I really like CO, and while I can also elite-upgrade as a CO elite, I'd recommend sticking with the nonstops between MIA and MGA operated by TACA. If you're planning to do a stopover for a few days, that's a separate issue... but if you're just looking for the best experience from A to B, take the nonsop. There isn't much difference in service from COPA or LACSA.

So you know, you'll get a meal, drinks, and maybe a movie from MIA to MGA-- but there may not be a movie since flight time isn't very long.