first time possibly flying United/Copa...is this a decent itinerary?
Sep 15, 2022, 9:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 799
first time possibly flying United/Copa...is this a decent itinerary?
hey guys, trying to find a decent fare from NYC area to Guayaquil during the Christmas holiday 2022. I found a flight round trip from Newark to GYE via PTY, first flight outbound is United, second leg is Copa, and same coming back to Newark. $1353.00 for the fare, plus $150 for the seats. Are there any specific rules for transiting in Panama for 2 American citizens? Yes fully vaccinated and 2 American passports.
Thanks
Thanks
Sep 15, 2022, 1:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA
Posts: 101
I recently flew through PTY to South America and the transit was seamless and the same as if connecting on a domestic flight. No entry requirements as I never entered Panama. The new Copa Club (I had not been since 2018) is a much needed upgrade from the old one.
Sep 16, 2022, 6:20 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
I fly similar itineraries frequently. It's no big deal, it feels more or less like a domestic transfer in the USA. You get off your UA flight in PTY, walk to the gate of your CM flight, and carry onward to Ecuador. No immigration/customs/security in PTY for transfers. They will check your docs at checkin in EWR, but beyond that, nothing. Sounds like you got a good one-stop itinerary at a decent price. If it were me, I'd book it
The old Copa Club was not great... I started a thread about it's lack of food: COPA PTY lounge has nothing to eat?
My last transit through there was in July. Since then the new Copa Club has opened and I hear it is much better.
The old Copa Club was not great... I started a thread about it's lack of food: COPA PTY lounge has nothing to eat?
My last transit through there was in July. Since then the new Copa Club has opened and I hear it is much better.
Sep 28, 2022, 12:11 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 799
I fly similar itineraries frequently. It's no big deal, it feels more or less like a domestic transfer in the USA. You get off your UA flight in PTY, walk to the gate of your CM flight, and carry onward to Ecuador. No immigration/customs/security in PTY for transfers. They will check your docs at checkin in EWR, but beyond that, nothing. Sounds like you got a good one-stop itinerary at a decent price. If it were me, I'd book it
The old Copa Club was not great... I started a thread about it's lack of food: COPA PTY lounge has nothing to eat?
My last transit through there was in July. Since then the new Copa Club has opened and I hear it is much better.
The old Copa Club was not great... I started a thread about it's lack of food: COPA PTY lounge has nothing to eat?
My last transit through there was in July. Since then the new Copa Club has opened and I hear it is much better.
Sep 28, 2022, 12:49 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Oct 2, 2022, 9:54 am
#6
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
For me the game changer would be my UA 1K and *G on CM. In case of IRROPS I know I'll be well taken care of, whereas with B6 I'd be at the back of the bus in a middle seat next to the lav on a flight a day later if anything happens.
But if I didn't have the 1K/*G handcuffs, a direct flight on B6 is a no-brainer.