Copa, PTY connection questions.
Jul 3, 2015, 11:41 am
#46
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
You were on separate tickets. That's a different and much more complicated process. All the CM agents I've encountered have ultimately been able to interline across separate tickets, but it has never been easy and I'm not surprised that they were unable to do it on your itinerary.
Jul 7, 2015, 9:25 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 107
1. 50 min should be plenty. Both are in the same terminal and there is no additional security check. Even if the gates were far from each other, it should not be more than 10 minutes walk.
2. Well, this is difficult to answer. I recently flew SJO-PTY-CUN and a week later CUN-PTY-MEX. In both cases I was on different tickets and had OLCI behind me for both legs. In the second case they checked the luggage through and transfer was a breeze. In the first case, though, the agent at SJO could not do it, so I had to "enter" Panama (i.e. regular immigration and customs check), check my luggage and proceed. Everything was fast and smooth, but it nevertheless added about 30 min to the transfer (I had plenty of time). With 50 min available that would turn your transfer into a race against time. Unfortunately, you'll depend on the competence of the CI agent at St Martin, unless everything is on one ticket in which case they'll check your luggage for both legs and... go to answer #1
2. Well, this is difficult to answer. I recently flew SJO-PTY-CUN and a week later CUN-PTY-MEX. In both cases I was on different tickets and had OLCI behind me for both legs. In the second case they checked the luggage through and transfer was a breeze. In the first case, though, the agent at SJO could not do it, so I had to "enter" Panama (i.e. regular immigration and customs check), check my luggage and proceed. Everything was fast and smooth, but it nevertheless added about 30 min to the transfer (I had plenty of time). With 50 min available that would turn your transfer into a race against time. Unfortunately, you'll depend on the competence of the CI agent at St Martin, unless everything is on one ticket in which case they'll check your luggage for both legs and... go to answer #1
What I would do, with the problem OP describes, is get someone who speaks spanish to call up the copa operation people in the airport/country where luggage check-in will be, explain the issue (need interline baggage check to make connection), get them to agree they can do this no problem, and GET A NAME of who you spoke with. Better yet, call back again within a week or so of trip, get the same answer again and make sure you are speaking to someone who will be on shift when you check in.
This may sound excessive but Panama business practices can surprise americans and it is best to be prepared and have the issue surrounded pre-emptively, in a very friendly fashion.
Jul 8, 2015, 6:19 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 189
+1 Immigration and customs cab be very quick or can get back up. A high percentage of flyers just change planes at pty (Copas business model) and never use customs. If a higher amount have pty as a final destination then it can be slow. If a few non Copa planes land right before yours plan to expect the worst in waiting in line.
Jul 8, 2015, 7:48 pm
#49
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
What I would do, with the problem OP describes, is get someone who speaks spanish to call up the copa operation people in the airport/country where luggage check-in will be, explain the issue (need interline baggage check to make connection), get them to agree they can do this no problem, and GET A NAME of who you spoke with. Better yet, call back again within a week or so of trip, get the same answer again and make sure you are speaking to someone who will be on shift when you check in.
The only reason a problem might arise is if OP is on separate tickets and the check-in agent doesn't know how to interline. I've interlined with CM numerous times and they are always willing to do it, though they sometimes struggle with the process required to actually get it accomplished in their system.
Jul 16, 2015, 9:57 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 107
Seriously, it is shockingly bad. throw in bio needs and you are in serious trouble. perfectly reasonable to assume 2-3 hours total to get to airport (pty) from canal zone, and that is not worst case.
That's really not necessary. On a single ticket, the bags will be checked through.
The only reason a problem might arise is if OP is on separate tickets and the check-in agent doesn't know how to interline. I've interlined with CM numerous times and they are always willing to do it, though they sometimes struggle with the process required to actually get it accomplished in their system.
The only reason a problem might arise is if OP is on separate tickets and the check-in agent doesn't know how to interline. I've interlined with CM numerous times and they are always willing to do it, though they sometimes struggle with the process required to actually get it accomplished in their system.
Last edited by Woofdog123; Jul 16, 2015 at 10:02 am
Jul 16, 2015, 7:08 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In between PTY, MEX and CPH
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, SAS Eurobonus Silver, Connect Miles Gold, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Disc.
Posts: 585
Horrible is a serious understatement at this point. Traffic on the diablo-side of Albrook is mind-numbingly bad now (due to traffic eventually towards both bridges). Folks who haven't seen traffic on this scale don't believe my recent 3-hour adventure (inside albrook to diablo roundabout/bridge,= 30min don't like roundabout stall so decide to go north towards cardenas and loop back, spend 80 minutes *** accomplishing this via illegal turn (first possible), and another 40 getting past the main roundabout near admin bldg, where traffic backs up into balboa to get to bridge.
Seriously, it is shockingly bad. throw in bio needs and you are in serious trouble. perfectly reasonable to assume 2-3 hours total to get to airport (pty) from canal zone, and that is not worst case.
Seriously, it is shockingly bad. throw in bio needs and you are in serious trouble. perfectly reasonable to assume 2-3 hours total to get to airport (pty) from canal zone, and that is not worst case.
Totally off topic, I know. Apologies.
Jul 18, 2015, 10:45 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
...somewhere up thread was a story from one poster about copa saying they could not (i.e. did not know how or system was 'broken') interline, not even sure if the original questioner was on one ticket or not now. Over many years in Panama, when something ends up with a question mark and a bad outcome can seriously interfere with my day, I have learned to try to get on top of things pre-emptively, cooperatively, with names of people who said it could be done this way etc.
Jul 18, 2015, 11:33 pm
#53
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
somewhere up thread was a story from one poster about copa saying they could not (i.e. did not know how or system was 'broken') interline, not even sure if the original questioner was on one ticket or not now.
Sep 11, 2015, 10:55 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: North Tustin, CA
Programs: United 1K MM, AA, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood Gold
Posts: 92
We have an 8 hour PTY layover on Copa (business) in November. Could we hire a guide and see anything in Panama City?
We have cruised through the canal, don't need to try that.
Or should we just stay at PTY? Business class lounge comments?
We have cruised through the canal, don't need to try that.
Or should we just stay at PTY? Business class lounge comments?
Sep 11, 2015, 11:18 pm
#55
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Eight hours is sufficient to go to Casco Viejo. Which I would recommend. Anything over two hours in the Copa Club is too long. Just be sure to leave plenty of time to get back to the airport.
Sep 12, 2015, 6:38 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 603
Ditto that. Check the dates, a lot of holidays in Nov for Panama, which means less traffic and more time out of the airport.
Jan 19, 2016, 8:20 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,967
At PTY, there is an additional security check at the gate for all US bound flights.
50 minutes is ordinarily ample time at PTY, the only thing that might worry me here is how long it will take you to get off the aircraft, since you will presumably have to wait for everyone else to offload for them to bring the wheelchair on. If there's a later UA flight that works for you (and there may not be), you might see about changing. UA should change the ticket for free if you explain the wheelchair issue.
Copa will check them through. You will then clear US immigration and customs at IAH, which means collecting and rechecking your bags.
50 minutes is ordinarily ample time at PTY, the only thing that might worry me here is how long it will take you to get off the aircraft, since you will presumably have to wait for everyone else to offload for them to bring the wheelchair on. If there's a later UA flight that works for you (and there may not be), you might see about changing. UA should change the ticket for free if you explain the wheelchair issue.
Copa will check them through. You will then clear US immigration and customs at IAH, which means collecting and rechecking your bags.
Jan 21, 2016, 11:16 am
#58
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In between PTY, MEX and CPH
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, SAS Eurobonus Silver, Connect Miles Gold, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Disc.
Posts: 585
Yes, they do secondary checks for EU bound flights as well. At least that was the case a month ago when I flew with AF.
May 28, 2017, 9:54 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
+1 on the duty free. I have yet to find any bargains (though I am not much of a shopper).
Here is a general warning about buying duty free liquids (i.e. booze) at your originating airport and the transferring through PTY on US-bound flights. (Ex: MDE-PTY-IAD and buying duty free at MDE):
With the US-required extra security at the gate, you cannot bring liquids on board. If you buy liquids at your originating airport, you won't be allowed to bring them on with you at PTY unless you somehow have access to your checked luggage. You can buy duty-free at PTY, because they will give you the liquids on the jetway, just like in the USA.
This would apply to any airport that has secondary screening at the gate, not just PTY.
Here is a general warning about buying duty free liquids (i.e. booze) at your originating airport and the transferring through PTY on US-bound flights. (Ex: MDE-PTY-IAD and buying duty free at MDE):
With the US-required extra security at the gate, you cannot bring liquids on board. If you buy liquids at your originating airport, you won't be allowed to bring them on with you at PTY unless you somehow have access to your checked luggage. You can buy duty-free at PTY, because they will give you the liquids on the jetway, just like in the USA.
This would apply to any airport that has secondary screening at the gate, not just PTY.
On a separate note, my connection is 85 mins: enough time to visit the Copa Club?
May 28, 2017, 4:10 pm
#60
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 603
85 minutes is plenty of time to visit the Copa Club. Look for other posts here on how early Copa begins boarding though.