Copa, PTY connection questions.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AA PLT MM, BA, UA, AC
Posts: 798
Copa, PTY connection questions.
I generally fly OW airlines and know little about *A airlines/hubs. I am considering Copa for an upcoming trip because I can stopover in PTY and I can add some miles to my UA Mileage Plus account. My questions:-
What is PTY airport like for connections? The COPA flights I am looking at have a two hour connection in PTY is this sufficient?
Does PTY have a good duty free store, I'm primarily interested in liquor not cosmetics or tobacco.
Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
What is PTY airport like for connections? The COPA flights I am looking at have a two hour connection in PTY is this sufficient?
Does PTY have a good duty free store, I'm primarily interested in liquor not cosmetics or tobacco.
Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
Last edited by startpacking; Aug 16, 2012 at 12:49 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In between PTY, MEX and CPH
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2 hours is more than sufficient. Personally I regard PTY as one of the most transfer friendly airports I've ever seen. You can walk through the whole place in 10 minutes, there's no extra security check (they do perform a gate check if you're boud for the US though) or immigration.
Lots of duty free shops, actually the place looks more like a shopping centre with a runway. I'm not impressed with the selection of liquor though. Put that might just be me.
Ah, at peak hours it can be very cramped.
Bottomline is you won't be bored, and 2 hours is more than enough.
Lots of duty free shops, actually the place looks more like a shopping centre with a runway. I'm not impressed with the selection of liquor though. Put that might just be me.
Ah, at peak hours it can be very cramped.
Bottomline is you won't be bored, and 2 hours is more than enough.
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
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PTY is easy. You simply walk off the plane into the waiting crowd, find a monitor for your next gate, and the walk is most likely less than 10 minutes. No separation of arriving/departing passengers, no security for transit. US-bound departures will have extra security (and liquid confiscation) at the gate.
Having the typical equatorial weather with afternoon showers and a simple airspace and airfield layout, PTY has no complicated weather/capacity issues like NYC. Copa itself sells a lot of 45-minute connections and can manage them well.
Having the typical equatorial weather with afternoon showers and a simple airspace and airfield layout, PTY has no complicated weather/capacity issues like NYC. Copa itself sells a lot of 45-minute connections and can manage them well.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
To expand on the liquid confiscation, when you are getting on a US-bound flight you will go through a hand luggage inspection and pat-down at the gate. They will deny boarding to any liquids except for duty-free stuff that you will get on the jetway.
Therefore, unlike the US, you cannot carry on a drink that you bought on the concourse. Also, if you buy a liquid at the duty free at your originating airport, you cannot carry it on your US bound flight in PTY. You won't have access to your checked luggage, so you will be out of luck. For example, if I were to buy booze at the Medellin duty free when flying MDE-PTY-IAD, I would lose it at the gate. There is no size exception, so even a small bottle of perfume would be lost. I am not sure what they do about medical stuff.
Note: Many of the store operators have multiple stores. In one case, I shopped at a store that was not the closest to my gate. When I went to check out, I was told that I had to make my purchase at their store closest to the gate, as that location did not service my gate. Annoying, especially since "my" store was closed due to an electrical problem.
If you are headed to your Latin America destination, they will actually give you your stuff in the store to carry out. As far as I know, the classic duty-free system of collecting your stuff on the jetway only applies to North America-bound flights.
#6
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Just South Of North
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Super Easy!
PTY has got to the the best/easiest international airport I have ever connected through. No security/customs/immigration recheck or clearance required.
Airport is well laid out & easy to navigate.
Word of warning though; Copa likes to Pre-board SUPER early!!! Two weeks ago we were flying PTY>UIO. Departure time was 7:05pm, they started the pre-boarding at 6:05pm. Wasn't an issue as we were at the gate already.
If you are flying in Business, make sure you try their Rum of the Month. Had a rum from Panama & one from Costa Rica, DAMN FINE STUFF (-:
Airport is well laid out & easy to navigate.
Word of warning though; Copa likes to Pre-board SUPER early!!! Two weeks ago we were flying PTY>UIO. Departure time was 7:05pm, they started the pre-boarding at 6:05pm. Wasn't an issue as we were at the gate already.
If you are flying in Business, make sure you try their Rum of the Month. Had a rum from Panama & one from Costa Rica, DAMN FINE STUFF (-:
#9
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In between PTY, MEX and CPH
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Tricky. I have a really good on time performance with Copa, I cant remember ever being late and I surely never missed a connection in PTY, but 33 minutes is risky.
#10
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That's an awfully long time to be in those seats though. No availability on UA metal?
#11
#12
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#13
Anyway I think the 33 min. is too close. Alternative is 7 hours but might be nice to spend the afternoon in Panama City on route to GIG.
#14
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
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#15
Join Date: Oct 2011
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try the canal
There are also beaches, jungles and downtown Panama City within taxi distance, though given the country's developing world status (e.g. the airport's power went out just as we arrived) you'd have to be pretty confident in your travel skills to go there.