A delay in 20 minute increments
Check-in at the kiosk did not work for me, probably because I was travelling to the US and a document check was required. Anyway, I was seen to immediately at the counter and later at passport control and security I didn’t encounter any delays either.
Still some “Coming soon” signs…
I’ve seldom seen the terminal this empty.
Panama City PTY – Fort Lauderdale FLL
Copa Airlines CM 265
STD: 12:03 / ATD: 12:03, then 14:18
STA: 16:16 / ATA: 18:48
B738 HP-1526CMP
Seat 29F
Obligatory legroom shot on this sold out flight.
Push-back was bang on time at 12:03, but after taxiing halfway to the runway the plane stopped.
A rainstorm was fast approaching the airport area and at first we thought that this was the reason for our halt.
12:25: The cockpit crew came on the P/A to inform that they were having an issue with one of the communication instruments, and promised to revert within the next 10-15 minutes.
12:50: “We will be returning to a gate in 5-10 minutes to have the problem fixed”, i.e. the comm device replaced.
Meanwhile, the cabin crew did a service run offering cheese snacks and beverages.
At 12:58 we were at a gate again.
13:35: “The problem has been solved but now the plane has to be refueled and the electrical activity in the area is preventing any operations”.
Refueling under a downpour.
14:15: “It will be 10 more minutes until departure”.
Surprisingly, just 3 minutes later we were actually being pushed back from the gate, taking off at 14:28.
IFE without earphones…
…and more storm clouds along the way.
The cabin crew outdid themselves and offered another round of snacks and beverages, even a different snack than a couple of hours earlier while still on the ground.
The island of Marathon, one of the Florida Keys.
At around 6 p.m. the plane turned left, out to the Gulf of Mexico, instead of right towards Fort Lauderdale. Outside massive storm clouds could be seen and soon enough the cockpit crew informed that we should be flying a holding pattern for 20-25 minutes due to severe weather at FLL, though we were circling in a relatively sunny area.
To me it seemed as if we had flown halfway out to the Gulf but checking the flight track it turned out to be just a bit.
Eventually we made it to the destination, landing 2:30 hours late.
Just like last year, FLL turned out to be an excellent port of entry. Even though I was seated way back on the plane, by the time I reached immigration there was no line at all and I wasn’t even asked any questions. That’s a first!