If that is the case then Panama is definitely South American, as it is west, not north, of Colombia. All of Panama is south of Cartagena, Barranquilla, etc ...

Maybe we should be debating this at the bar in PTY :)

pmarrsouth and Milkman, as I had some time today I researched this thing. Just for fun :)

You are both correct in that in many definitions, the split between North and South America lies somewhere between Colombia and Panama, even though Panama is in physical terms south of Colombia. (the exact line/split is fought over - from the Darien to the Panama canal. (It is not the simple modern country boundaries) Other definitions place Panama in Central America. The whole concept of "Central America" being a new thing. Others place it in South America...
So as such I bow to your somewhat supported assertion that Panama can be viewed as in "North America". But I also, as I love to argue (to learn, not to be a pain), also assert that the context of this argument is important. This is in a frequent flyer forum. We are talking airlines, and lounges, not geography. I doubt that most flyers think of Panama and thus Copa as a "North American' airline. You will not find COPA in Flyertalk's North American section....

Finally, despite all research that I can expend, Panama is not considered a North American country in any field other that old academic geographics. Which makes sense. Even in Lifemiles parlance Panama is considered southern Central America. Hence i feel your apologies even in silence :)

Wikipedia puts Panama indisputably on the continent called North America.

Hi everyone!
Trying to bring this thread from its geographical excursus back to its original topic... food. I'm travelling through PTY tomorrow and back again on Monday and intended to drop by the lounge. Is there food or at least snacks available? Or are there any other alternative lounges?

There are snacks. Packaged cookies, mini pretzels, cheeses and that sort of thing

There are 2 other lounges in PTY:

The Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network - big space, catered about the same as Copa lounge, showers are weak when I went there (only went once, as its nothing special overall). Its directly to the left after "Copa's" security. Can enter with priority pass etc

Tocumen Royal Saloon - small space but catered better than both of the above when I have been (not been in about a year or so, but there were sandwiches and soups, as well as fruit etc). It is LANDSIDE (before security, so if you are transiting then you would need to clear immigration and customs, which only takes a couple of minutes depending on the time of day). It is upstairs before the main/central security. Can enter with PP etc

Further to Pmarrsouth,
Panama is not a place to enjoy lounges. They are all extremely basic. None are worth paying for.

Yadi, first off I love a sentence that includes the terms "wikipedia" and "indisputably" :) But as per previous posts, this is a frequent flyer forum. How many programs consider Panama part of "North America"? My experience is that they, quite understandably, place Panama in Central America. Maybe the airlines need to read wikipedia?

Yup... absolutely correct. Rarely seen a lounge that was so crowded and offered such a basic atmosphere with what appeared to be randomly assembled furniture pieces as the Copa Club. Would be a euphemism to use the term "basic" to describe the snacks. Don't get me wrong, the pretzels and honey-roasted peanuts are great, but ... they could at least put out some boring cheese-ham sandwiches that you an find anywhere else. Expected a bit more in Copa's hub airport.

The pretzels and honey roasted peanuts found in Copa Club are not "great". They are horrible. And they serve the same .... on board in business class as a "snack" on a 2h regional flight. Panama has tonnes of great fresh fruit that could be served at a very low cost, but instead they serve imported processed crap.

Turns out there is another lounge in PTY that is accessible with the Priority Pass. I had a short layover in PTY on Saturday. Since my arrival gate was right near the PTY Copa Club I popped in there for a 'to-go' peanut pack, then headed over to the real lounge where they served chicken and rice.

It seems mildly embarrassing to CM that a Priority Pass lounge offers superior food to a CM's flagship lounge, but I guess if there were a business case to change things, they would.

Yeah, i'll take Britannica over Wikipedia anytime.
North America begins in part of Mexico. Panamá is definitely Central America.

Typical, but I developed an acquired taste for the Codorniú (tastes like Krug if you really focus :)) and the mixed nuts (the lovely mix they serve in the air in J, is available by request at the bar, but try not to tell everyone).

Looking forward to it!

Didn't noticed this one, definitely new for me. Thanks for the heads up!.