Originally Posted by
Kacee
Yes that is sufficient. Copa is a well run airline and PTY is very compact.
I would suggest you buy the ticket from Copa rather than United. If you buy the UA codeshare there are several potential complications along the way. Check to see if Copa has a D fare (Business Promo) available - it often costs little more than Y. Note also that Copa is currently running a 25% PQM bonus (you won't get that if you buy through United).
btw, I am sitting in the PTY Copa Club right now.
+1 to all of the above.
I would not worry about a short connection. COPA has never misconnected me, and I have connected through PTY at least 100 times.
IME, COPA pads their schedules and flights leave the gate on time or early, so early arrival at PTY is the norm.
The only downside that I have seen for using UA codeshare is that you cannot check in on line. All of the upgrades work the same. That said, if you can book at copaair.com, the 25% PQM bonus is a plus.
The nice thing about the flight from ORD is that it leaves at a time when there are few other flights from the international terminal, so security is fast.