Anyone have any experience traveling on COPA? How easy was it to upgrade? How was F/C service? Thinking about a trip to South America and this seems like a viable option. Thanks!

>>Anyone have any experience traveling on COPA?

Done it once, PTY-MIA.

>>How easy was it to upgrade?

On this particular flight, I got my upgrade at check-in. I guess it's entirely dependent upon how full it is in FC.

>>How was F/C service?

Nearly identical to CO US domestic FC service. You'll think you're on CO - their planes are equipped identically except they say "Copa" in stead of "Continental" on them.

I flew Copa PTY-LIM and LIM-PTY a year ago. And they were excellent!!!

I hafta second what dgolds said, except I think their Clase Exejutiva may even be slightly better than CO domestic FC. The food and service is equal to, or probably superior to CO domestic, although it still can't match BF.

Their fleet is all 737, so if you're looking for a 767 or 777, you're outta luck. However, their 737 fleet is very new....so new that their planes actually had a "new plane smell."

There's no EUA for Copa, but you can get an upgrade at the airport. And there should be no problem there, as Copa has very few Elites. There were only two of us in FC on the LIM-PTY flight.

Copa is a CO clone....they're 49% owned by CO. And only Panama's restriction on foreign ownership of a Panamanian carrier stops them from owning it outright. Their colors are the same, and they share the Panama City PC with CO.

BTW, the joint CO-Copa PC in Panama City is IMHO the best I've been in. Brand new, a great view of the runway, and excellent service. The attendant actually comes by and personally notifies you when your flight is about to board. Try to find that kind of service in any other PC!!!

I have always wondered: where exactly does COPA fly to/from. What is their market?

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EWR CO Platinum

COPA flys from Central to North and South America, 30 destinations in 19 countries: http://www.copaair.com/english/frame.html

I flew them on my LP Million mile run. New planes, nice service, good food (a nice plate of ham and eggs) and an upgrade based on my OP status but miles credited to LP.
I spent a few hours in the Panama airport at the PC, very nice and I slept in the 'family lounge' room quite comfortably and soundly.

BSL

Thank you onepassaddict for posting this. If you dont mind my tagging on..... I was thinking of using my miles to go from MEX to HAV (Cuba) on CM. Am I able to have the ticket issued even though my residence is in the US? I know it's a shot in the dark but do you think I can have it issued MIA-PTY-HAV?

Havana is excellent this time of year. I went in 99 and had a blast.

Question on Copa. Does CO elite status entitle you to complementary upgrades?

YES. I did it.

BSL

I echo all the comments above. You can only upgrade at the airport before the flight, but that should be no problem as I have never seen BC full, even when coach was full. COPA is based in Panama, and yes, the attendants at the COPA/CO club there are the best I have ever seen. If you're runnimg late for a connection, swing by the club; hey got my upgrade, and called the gate telling them to expect me. And of course if you actually have time to enjoy he club, it will be very pleasant. Enjoyed their flight service a lot; even heard coach passangers talking about how nice the flight was.

As stated on page 6 of the 2001 Elite Member's Guide, Copa Airlines flights are eligible for upgrades at the same windows as upgrades on CO and NW.

[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 12-15-2001).]

I've had 10 COPA flights so far.... looks like I'm the leader here. ;-)

I second that COPA is a CO clone, with service a notch above-- I remember the head of ground services boarded and shook each FC passenger's hand before departure on flights out of CCS, LIM, and EZE.

All COPA flights have Clase Ejecutiva, which is F as opposed to BF, meaning you can upgrade on COPA system-wide. Hence, unlimited elite companion upgrades into Peru, Brasil, and Argentina!! I have never tried to upgrade prior to flight date, but am almost 100% for upgrades. One exception was once when I arrived _very_ late (like 5 min. before departure) and the gate agent refused to upgrade my mom and me because they couldn't cater the extra F meal-- and they refused to let us sit in F and eat a coach meal. I can understand-- but I wasn't too happy about it.

The hub in Panama is very easy to use, and the flights are very well coordinated with a late morning bank, and an evening bank of flights. If all goes as scheduled (and I am 100% for on-time departures/arrivals), you'll have an hour max in the airport during each bank. If you happen to be in PTY between banks, then you can leave the airport for a couple bucks and venture into town: I recall that a 9 hour visa was quite a bit cheaper than a regular visa for longer-- just mention to the agent that you will only be in PTY for under 9 hours, and MAKE SURE THEY NOTE THE ENTRY TIME IN YOUR PASSPORT!!! Once they didn't note the time, and I had to pay the full fee when leaving. Full fee is like $20; the 9 hour visa is maybe $3.

Most of the time if you sit on the left window side of the plane ('A' seats) you have a great view of downtown Panama City on landing. Have your camera ready!

What else...... PTY uses the Colon, and 1 colon = $1 US. For the most part, colones and dollars, including change, are used interchangeably throughout Panama. The coins are about the same sizes, weights, and denominations as US coins-- only they have different pictures.

Watch your change before you leave to make sure you have quarters and not colones... just trade them at an airport shop before you leave so you can use them in the US.

What else about COPA..... IMO, one of the best deals for OnePass mileage is the 20,000 award within Latin America is one of the best deals: find a cheap flight into San Juan or a charter to Cancun and fly COPA into South America, with a free Panama stopover.

Have a great trip!!

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 12-18-2001).]