I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately and last week had the chance to fly from Panama City, Panama to Los Angeles on Copa Airlines abroad a 737 MAX in business class. Not only was this flight my first experience on Copa’s latest lie-flat product, but it was my first flight ever on Copa.
Copa 737 MAX Business Class – My First Impressions
I’ve flown most alliance airlines, but Copa was a gap in Star Alliance that has now been filled. The airline, once partially owned by Continental Airlines, is now on its own, however still offers upgrade opportunities for United MileagePlus members. I used 40 PlusPoints to upgrade the six-hour flight from PTY to LAX. In normal times, that would be a supreme waste of PlusPoints, but we don’t live in normal times and I was happy to fly a new airline and new product.
Not that the the product was new…the B/E Diamond seat is very common and one you’ll find on American, Delta and United (on select aircraft). This one had a shoulder strap…I’m not sure why.
Copa class its premium cabin “Dreams” business class aboard the 737 MAX and in addition to the lie-flat seat offers very nice bedding including a large blanket and pillow.
After over a year of cuts to catering blamed on the pandemic, plated meals were restored in business class a few weeks ago. I wasn’t even expecting this, so it was a nice additional treat on the flight. Through July, the carrier was offering only pre-packaged meals served in disposable containers, the sort of meals you could expect in economy class.
While meals are still serve covered, it was nice to have real glasses, real cups, and a choice between two entrees served on ceramic dishware.
That said, the main course was tiny (not sure if that is obvious based upon the picture). The beef entree had literally just a few bites of beef and a thin layer of saffron. It was tasty though, and I loved the cheese crackers and dip (though I have no idea what the dip actually was…).
Service was lovely leading up the meal service and during the meal service. Then, the flight attendants disappeared for several hours…or maybe I just slept through it. But those few times I did wake up, the cabin was dark and the front galley empty.
We landed ahead of schedule in Los Angeles in the Tom Bradly Terminal.
CONCLUSION
I enjoyed the COPA experience, which is the only way to travel nonstop between Central America and Los Angeles in a lie-flat seat. That said, for a flight blocked at nearly seven hours, I would have expected a bit more in terms of catering onboard. Stay tuned for a full review in which I’ll discuss the IFE, amenity kits, and other onboard offerings, plus my ground experience in PTY.
Have you flown Copa’s new(ish) 737 MAX? How was your experience?
Can’t wait for the MAX to be more widespread in their fleet, and all-flat connections to most of South America will be possible!
You haven’t flown Air India!? Man, you gotta do that. Being in Los Angeles, you should try their SFO-DEL route. 🙂 You’ll be in for a real treat and so will we by the write up.
It will be interesting to see if the usual cheap business fares to S.A. via PTY will hold up with the lie flat seats. I am more inclined to buy now if they actually keep them similar to the past – where before I just avoided as it was standard U.S. domestic seating.
Seems like some airlines are returning plated meals, but without a real appetizer?
Damn, having lie flats on a 737 seems tight! It looks as if you had to zig zag through the cabin just to walk down the aisle!
The dip has bits of canned artichokes in a sea of cream cheese. Perfect to keep in your fridge and offer to undesirable guests along week old bread. 🙂
Is “wast” new usage for when you’re in 2 minds about “was” or “wasn’t “? I’d be saying “wasn’t’ as it looks putrid.
I fly Copa often, once or twice a month. And the thing is they are very consistent where is the US airlines are so inconsistent serving Panama , the crew still believe we are customers. Copa does a great job.
I just flew LAX-PTY-PUJ on Max9 in Dreams and it was very good. I’m not a small man by any means, did not find 3A tight by any means and had decent sleep. Was able to put the arm rest down and it allowed a bit more space for my butt & legs. Service was a bit better than what you had out of PTY… beverages + yummy almonds before meal and plenty of refills. Dinner choices were Thai chicken or ravioli. We didn’t get an arrival meal or snack- and that was fine. PTY to PUJ was full beverage service + a large bag of pretzels & cookies.
Star Alliance lounge in LAX had just reopened and I had it all to myself for about an hour. Plentiful food & beverage options, and the terrace & shower suites open. Copa Club on PTY was packed *as usual* and had limited bar service, and a spread similar to what Alaska had in their lounges during the pandemic, just not the carry out foods.
I trust Copa more than any other foreign airline. And yes, they are super consistent.
I find that COPA crews generally disappear for the while flight, but are willing to serve you if you approach the galley.
PTY isn’t a great airport, but I always enjoy passing through for some reason. It’s also cool that Van Halen wrote the national anthem.
Mathew , you were lucky to be in Business Class – you should try economy in Copa . After take off they put on the seat belt sign and leave it on for 5 hours while the crew goes to sleep somewhere . Service totally non existent !!!!!!!!!! Wouldn’t fly them again in a fit.
Copa’s “hard” product has always been better than their “soft” one. The catering needs upgrading and perhaps once we get past Covid-19, that may happen. PTY is easy and the connections are almost foolproof. That airport never closes down. Since I prefer daylight flights, we have booked them for an Orlando-Santiago and Buenos Aires-Orlando round trip in late January, again, it’s all up to the pandemic.