Avianca, TACA, or Copa?
Mar 2, 2013 | 7:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: OAK
Programs: WN
Posts: 88
Avianca, TACA, or Copa?
I'm in the process of booking an itinerary from IAD to UIO. As it turns out, I conveniently have three options that work out for my schedule: Avianca via. Bogota; TACA via. San Salvador; or Copa via. Panama City.
I am a United Premier Gold / Star Gold, and have never flown any of those three airlines or to any of those three hubs before. Which of those provides a better onboard product / better transfer airports? Are there any that I should avoid?
I am a United Premier Gold / Star Gold, and have never flown any of those three airlines or to any of those three hubs before. Which of those provides a better onboard product / better transfer airports? Are there any that I should avoid?
Mar 2, 2013 | 7:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 697
I would fly Copa for the possibility of a CPU. I assume this is a paid ticket and not an award ticket. If an award ticket then my reasoning goes out the window. Also what are the connection times? That would affect my decision.
Mar 2, 2013 | 8:05 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: OAK
Programs: WN
Posts: 88
Yeah, it's a paid itinerary. 2 hours in BOG, 1 each in PTY and SAL. AV/TA are A32x's the whole way, CM 73x.
Mar 3, 2013 | 1:47 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Costa Rica
Programs: UA 1K, Priority Platinum, Marriot Gold, Delta Platinum
Posts: 308
Like said above I would go with Copa as a premier gold and the Posibility of the CPU.
Also PTY is a much better airport to transit than SAL and BOG in my opinion.
Also PTY is a much better airport to transit than SAL and BOG in my opinion.
Mar 3, 2013 | 7:28 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Californa
Programs: 100000 mile flyer
Posts: 115
I just flew 4 legs on COPA long haul transiting via Panama City. Copa is a GREAT airline. Attentive service, good food, friendly FAs, and hands down winner compared to any US airline. Make sure you fly routes with the 738. In economy all 738s I flew had seat back PTVs. Leaving GRU last week, the crew made one of the funniest and worthwhile announcements I have heard in a long time:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the seat back PTVs are TOUCH screens, please touch the screens and wait a few seconds for the response. Multiple taps only confuse the system and delay the response".
Left unsaid was ..."and they really annoy the passenger whose seat back you are pounding on because you are impatient."
Smooth connections in PTY. Try to sit on the left hand side of the plane to get a great view of the Panama City and with luck, the Panama Canal. Enjoy Copa, I am flying them again for 4 more long haul legs. Row 18 on the 738 is an exit row that reclines. Row 17 is an exit row that has limited recline. 31" seat pitch. I hope that helps. Have a good flight.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the seat back PTVs are TOUCH screens, please touch the screens and wait a few seconds for the response. Multiple taps only confuse the system and delay the response".
Left unsaid was ..."and they really annoy the passenger whose seat back you are pounding on because you are impatient."
Smooth connections in PTY. Try to sit on the left hand side of the plane to get a great view of the Panama City and with luck, the Panama Canal. Enjoy Copa, I am flying them again for 4 more long haul legs. Row 18 on the 738 is an exit row that reclines. Row 17 is an exit row that has limited recline. 31" seat pitch. I hope that helps. Have a good flight.