Update on my CM409 Flight for Jan 11, 2024 from SFO->PTY

It is scheduled to fly out tonight on the 737max9.

I called COPA again today Jan 11 (23 minutes on hold) and got some conflicting information from my previous call. When inquiring about tonight’s max9, she said that it was a plug panel and had passed inspection. This was in conflict with the previous rep who reassured me it was not one of the 21 of 29 in their fleet that required inspection.

I then asked the rep to give me a refund of my non refundable fare given the inconsistent information and lack of transparency regarding the planes safety AND to honor the same offer that Alaska Air is offering their customers (full refund on non refundable flight). After multiple back and forths she wouldn’t budge saying that my fare didn’t qualify. She recommended I file a complaint on COPAs website.

I hung up and I stewed for a bit trying to scheme ways to get a refund or to proceed with legal actions, however I shortly realized that I could likely get a future flight credit if I cancelled.

So I called back again and after another 30 minutes on hold, the rep was happy to offer me an open ticket no questions asked. The open ticket must be used before 1 year from the date I booked the original fare. It can used through any origin or destination airport. There was a $75 rebooking fee per pax. My original fare was business promo ~3600 (SFO->PTY->LIM) in their lie flat dream suites.

As you recall, yesterday I had already booked a nonmax9 intinerary with United (SFO->HOU->LIM), anticipating I would fly COPA) so I will keep that.

I am a bit concerned by COPAs conflicting accounts and lack of transparency. Given this id rather not fly any max9s. As this is a developing situation, I didn’t want to go through the uncertainty again in 10 days when I return.

Overall, I would’ve preferred a refund, and perhaps I could get one if I spent more time dragging this out, however, at this time I need to move on with life and I am happy with my solution for the time being. I get the certainty and security of a nonmax9 itinerary and I won’t lose the money I originally spent on original the COPA flight. I had been planning a trip to Buenos Aires so I will book later in the year when all the max9 drama settles and we have more information.

If you don't want to fly on any MAX9's that's your prerogative, but Copa has not been flying any of the frames with the same plug door as Alaska on SFO-PTY (nor LAX-PTY). See the post upthread, but all frames with tail numbers -9901 through -9908 are not subject to the grounding since they have a different plug door.

Thank you for this explanation, it's clear and it makes sense. The photo of HP-9908CMP shows the difference (in exterior appearance) clearly: with a small round "porthole" placed slightly higher, rather than a single rectangular window whose appearance matches other windows. This is the first I've heard/seen of this variant, and explains why some of COPA's MAX9s are still flying while most sit on the ground waiting for inspections.

Is there a designation for the two different aircraft types? It would be helpful to know how to distinguish/describe them without resorting to photos (I like photos, but it's awkward to not have a verbal/textual way to disambiguate them). Obviously, the distinction is kind of important right now.

Are there any other airlines operating in the US (Alaska, United, etc.) that have the "other" door-plug-type (still flying) MAX9?

Warren B, this looks like good news for you:

I am also scheduled to fly on a Max 9 on Monday from PTY to MIA. Looking at the past week of flights, a few have flown, and a few have been cancelled. I am getting worried, since flights are now no longer available, so just crossing my fingers here.

I see on expertflyer that Copa has a mix of Max 9s and 737-800s on Monday. Maybe ask them to switch you to one of those 800 flights? That seems likely to reduce the risk of cancellation. Might be a window of opportunity for you now before a cancellation. Should that happen, you’ll be in the same boat as everyone else on your cancelled flight.

Yeah, a good idea. However, the number I call has a busy dial tone and then hangs up on me. Not sure what's the best number to use (I've been trying on: 786-840-2672). I also booked Basic Economy, so not sure if they'll even let me change my flight.

We are scheduled on CM193 SJO-PTY on Sunday, Jan. 14. It is still showing 737MAX9 as the equipment.

Checking on FlightAware I see that CM193 has flown most of this week, but was cancelled today and one other day. However, I have no way to see if they plan to fly it on Sunday, if it has been cancelled, if there will be an equipment swap, etc. The Copa app only shows the status as far out as 'tomorrow,' and I'm sure if I deal with this on Saturday my options will be extremely limited or none.

Is there some way to determine in advance if this flight is going to fly or not? Traveling with family and lots of luggage this time, so learning about a cancellation at the airport will be extremely difficult for us. I'd like to deal with this as early as possible, but I have no idea how to predict what will happen.

Any ideas?

I'm guessing that even Copa doesn't know the answer to that question right now. They are under great stress, and it probably comes to how well they are able to move around crew and planes -- much of that involving planes that are not Max.

This morning the flight is now showing a 737-800 as the scheduled equipment. I know there are never any guarantees, but that's the best situation we could hope for at the moment.

At least as of right now, all Copa flights to MIA today are still flying, so maybe this situation is starting to resolve itself.

Well, I just checked my reservation and they had rescheduled me for a different flight out on Tuesday (without even informing me). And, calls don’t get annywhere. Unfortunately, my schedule is quite rigid so that wouldn’t work so I submitted a refund request. I’m under the assumption that it should be approved, due to irrops right? Luckily, I had booked a backup option just in case.

That is the logical conclusion, yes. YMMV depending on the individual agent who reviews your request, along with the fare class of your ticket. Good luck I hope it works out!

On their MAX9 info page, they do mention refunds for affected passengers -> https://www.copaair.com/en-gs/news/i...ecommendation/

We flew CM193 SJO-PTY yesterday and it was indeed on the 737MAX9. It had the first type of door plug described by dkc192. I attached a pic of the plane we flew.

It was a smooth... and yet they still left the seatbelt sign on the entire time.

In suspect that seatbelt use (on all aircraft types, worldwide) has gone up a bit in the past week.