I Flew to Panama on COPA AIRLINES!

Copa Airlines is the flag carrier of Panama, and operates a 100-strong fleet of only Boeing 737s.
They’ve used Panama’s geographic location in Central America quite strategically to turn Panama City into a huge connecting hub between North and South America.
When my friend ‪@MarkBrandonAviation‬ proposed a trip there in January this year, I thought it was worth giving Copa a try to go visit a part of the world that I’d never been to before!
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Airline: Copa Airlines (CM/CMP)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 (B738)
Flight Number: CM484
Seat: 22F (Economy)
Livery: Standard
Engines: 2x CFMI CFM56-7B26E
Registration: HP-1828CMP
Route: Montreal (YUL) - Panama City (PTY)
Callsign: COPA 484
Runway used: 06R (YUL) - 03R (PTY)
Date filmed: January 2024
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Outro song - "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2024
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@henrywason771]

Flying to Panama I always recommend booking seats A (left side) of the plane to have the best view of Panama city when landing

[@lucasa.quiroga1246]

That will always depend on which runway is being used, which in turn depends on the wind direction.

[@rlam95]

@@lucasa.quiroga1246which most of the time is 03R or 03L, so the recommendation is valid. On the other runways there is no view really so it’s best to always strive for that seat when flying to Panamá.

[@Mis-fe9fc]

Flew on Copa’s B737-800 from Washington Dulles and then their B737 Max-9 to Buenos Aires! All in Business Class, their lie flat seat was amazing, and I couldn’t believe that I was on a B737! Very cool experience!

[@lucasa.quiroga1246]

Panama City-Buenos Aires used to be the longest route in the world flown by a 737. It was since beaten by a few miles by Panama City-Montevideo.

[@happycanayjian1582]

2:50 Love, love, love that retro livery. 😍👍🏼

[@RoamingWithCharlie]

I like the change in takeoff music Alex! Keep up the good work!❤

[@samurisnark6940]

I didn't expect it to go that hard 🙂

[@LynxAir2K10]

Copa Airlines flies direct to Toronto from Panama City-Tocumen, using a mix of 737-800s and MAX 9s! I mean with the choice of Montreal as your stopover, getting to Toronto from Calgary would also be 4 hours and the flight to Panama City would be around 5 and a half hours

[@AidenLegends10]

WestJet does direct flights from Dublin and Edinburgh to Toronto (6-8 hrs) on a 737!

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

Sure, but it's ultimately a difference of 30 minutes and Montreal worked out better price wise.

[@LynxAir2K10]

@@AlexPraglowskiAviation I think if I go to Panama I'll try out Copa, otherwise I'll have to connect through the united states or Mexico City

[@Northernmike100]

@@AidenLegends10Have you ever flown West Jet? Great Staff, Great Lounge in Calgary but.. hey did I mention how wonderful the staff are? 😂

[@AidenLegends10]

@@Northernmike100 I have atcully, and they excited my expectations, getting on times, comfortable seats, they atcully give out complimentary snacks and drinks, on time, fact early. But that is irrelevant due to the video being about Copa Airlines.

[@miangel02]

I'm taking a flight to Panama next month with Copa Airlines from Denver, let's hope my trip goes well

[@CharlieBrown0507]

I love COPA airlines. Always a good flight anywhere I go in the Americas but mostly to Panama city.

[@kaneosaki2350]

I believe copa continues to use the continental branding because like united they are star alliance

[@coyotelong4349]

By that logic though, every airline in Star Alliance should be using a variant on the United livery 😅

[@kaneosaki2350]

@@coyotelong4349 well Copa was branded like continental while the other airlines are not. So it was probably cheaper to keep the same branding.

[@stefansamos4304]

No, copas is slightly different from continental. Both airlines were very close during the 70s-80s.

[@ice711real]

11:45 you could see the tire smoke 😂

[@CMDT79]

Bounced Landing!

[@JakobIsaiahLadiero]

@@ice711real omg it’s the guy

[@Doit4UONLY]

Took a flight with copa Airlines in May to the Dominican Republic with a 8h layover in Panama. My flight was great! Loved it!!

[@CongressSux1776]

What was great about it? I’ve flown Copa about a dozen times the last five years, and I wouldn’t ever call a single one of those flights even subpar. Copa sucks

[@CBrailfan]

Maybe you’ve just been unlucky

[@CharlieBrown0507]

@@CongressSux1776 Were you expecting a manicure and pedicure??? I flew to Singapore on the best airline "Singapore airline" for 18 hours. It is the same service. You sit, wait for food, sleep, watch a movie. what were you expecting??? a royal treatment and an announcement from the captain that you were onboard??

[@davisbyer4791]

No de-icing with all that frost on the trailing edge, eh?

[@butter2933]

Was there in March on Delta. Loved PTY’s new Terminal 2, such a beautiful building. Also love how Tocumen is 95% 73s lol

[@kenwaterman7799]

We've been to Panama a few times. Panama City has more skyscrapers then New York City and spread out for miles.

[@Milkoftheteax]

Great Video As always! I always wanted to fly on Copa; this video is a helpful window on what to expect when I finally do. Thanks!

[@rasho9393]

Alex flying Copa wasn't on my bingo card but i'm really happy it happen

[@Cerby1979]

Wonder if Copa will change their livery to almost resemble the bluer livery currently on the majority of United’s fleet.

[@number1522]

Interesting choice to not go for a frost spray...given the clear contamination on the trailing edge...

[@Aviationmeier]

I flew on Copa Airlines Retro Livery and Star Alliance Livery in the same day!!! My inner avgeek was literally dying of excitement! 6.5 hours on the Copa Retro Livery really is something special. It was from PTY-DEN on June 9th of 2024! Great Video!

[@BRTripReport]

Great video, Alex! I have flown with Copa several times, and they are a very consistent airline. I truly believe that their hub strategy is what differentiates them from the competition. Safe travels!

[@justjibsy]

On my way to Costa Rica in 2020 I scheduled a Copa flight with a layover in Panama City for the main purpose of seeing the canal. Hope you got to see it as well!

[@firegamer3795]

Nice vid like always ❤

[@Captain-Jordan]

Excellent video as always Alex!

[@TeddyBearGaming999]

I had a 5 hour layover in Montreal’s international terminal last summer and was thoroughly unimpressed. Can’t imagine how bad the domestic side is

[@therightguidance481]

Finally you did a video about montreal, nice video

[@davidsantiagoalzatemazo2430]

You've just flown with Copa! Great trip report! I was wishing for this one to come true and It actually happened!! Thanks Alex! 😃 I have flown with them from Medellín to Orlando (layover in Panama City PTY) and I love them!

[@newsun444]

I've seen Copa Airlines before here at Montreal and its fun finally watching someone review the airline flying from here

[@xenophondaskoutroubis5941]

Great video. You'll always be the best aviation channel 👍

[@toxifyfnlive7099]

11:45 captain Bouncy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@donwarrington4916]

there's a dip on that runway I think . We flew in with Delta a few months ago and had a pretty decent bounce as well ...

[@BismanAirwaysOffical]

Ooooh a new one! Cool video alex!

[@theEagleBeagle]

Copa just started service from Raleigh, NC to Panama City. Never a place I thought of going, but now that it's so easy, i'd consider it.

[@787_Fan13]

2:30 thx for saying because i always wondered why they look the same, and now i know😊

[@Kaii-b1h]

You should try flying Contour Airlines, there small fleet consist of interesting aircraft’s

[@goodtimes474]

Nice sunrise view.

[@nicolascastillo6456]

So nice of them to let you stretch in the aisle seat! Great review as usual

[@douggilmore3]

I flew Copa DEN-PTY-MVD Montevideo, Uruguay. The leg PTY-MVD 7:20 felt really long in a 737 economy. Flight was full as well, but I slept. There was no personal IFE except on the last leg PTY-DEN which is 5 hours so very welcome, but would be nice across the flight spectrum. All in all, good value friendly crews and overall great experience

[@Odontomango]

Thank you for your sacrifice Alex. Must have felt like a canned sardine for 6 hours.

[@JamesTayD]

Nice I needed a new Alex video :)

[@Aviation_of_Houston]

Copa Airlines received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 yesterday!

[@gmitchellfamily]

Legroom level: Encore 😮

[@MikeD-dl5lk]

Thanks for another great video Alex. I haven't flown Copa, but I have been to the Panama City airport, and I found it quite decent. It definitely had more shopping options than most airports. I think they even have two distinct terminals- one for Domestic( Copa?) and the one I was in for AC

[@airfreak75]

CM added RDU-PTY last month with surprisingly the 73G. They do not have the seatback IFE so for those alone it would be nice to see the route upgauged to at least the 738. It wouldn't surprise me if YVR or YYC were on their radar as CM and AC being Star alliance would provide connectability on both ends of either route.

[@afdkj]

Montreal is closer to Panama than Los Angeles. You are only adding 1:30 to you trip!

[@meltingtomato]

Sweet, Alex just published a video on Copa!

[@davidjames6879]

I have flown to (SEA-)PTY many times, from as far back as the Continental airlines days, also on Delta and United. Copa was the most recent and as Alex says, the service was very good. Fortunately on the r/t in economy, the middle seat was open both ways. I will definitely use them again, as family becons there.

[@benworsfold3674]

Great video Alex. Please can you consider finding some Saab 340, j41 or emb120 flights, I really enjoyed flying on the emb and think it would be great fun👍

[@miniena7774]

10:35 Kudos to them!

[@CaptainVan234]

Bro, you should do this full time!! I love your videos!

[@davidcole333]

Wonderful trip report. I can't imagine being your size and sitting in THAT seat! I'm a full foot shorter than you and feel cramped on the window seat of a 737. It's a little bit better on the A320 as they have a bit more room at the shoulder and usually have slimmer seats. But yeah, if I were you, I wouldn't board a plane if I wasn't in premium economy or better. I hope you enjoyed your time in Panama City.

[@RealSaulGoodman78]

737-800 looks amazing but I’ll always love the 737-200

[@JulianBark]

Flew Copa Business Class LA to Aruba in late April and flights were on time and comfortable. Also flew Copa from LA to Buenos Aires back in 2019 and it was also a good experience. I’m 6’3” so I have to fly business on longer flights and Copa business class is very reasonable.

[@stere0xide]

Another great video Alex! For another full service flight I'd suggest the AeroMexico flights that have catering and service that puts AC to shame. We flew them from Vancouver to Mexico City and were pleasantly surprised by it, having experienced both WS and AC flights to Mexico prior to that.

[@briankenney1433]

Was there any price difference? I'd factor in the cost of Air Canada Bistro into their ticket to see how it compares to AeroMexico

[@stere0xide]

@@briankenney1433 the Air Canada flight was actually more expensive when we booked it funny enough, but WestJet was cheaper. The timing for the Aeromexico flight was also more convenient

[@AndreasG32]

I flew BWI to Panama City, great airline.

[@Footballofficial616]

First. Also huge fan 😀 w planes 🔥🔥

[@matiasjacobsen2647]

Really glad to see an airline like Copa getting some representation, they fly down here to Argentina and all around the americas

[@Mack8994]

Nice video Alex. Did you spend time in Panama City? My home country and I’ve flown Copa many times. They are consistent.

[@PanAmguy-np7et]

Also can you explain to me how you got to the Tocumen Airport Open day 0:24? I'm in Panama for 2 weeks and I would like to know how to reserve tickets or something.

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

We were asking a few locals about spotting locations and they mentioned they were holding an Open Day the exact weekend we were there.

[@PanAmguy-np7et]

@@AlexPraglowskiAviation Thanks, I guess you were there at the right time.

[@GermanDiManzo]

Special meals in COPA are only offered in Business Class (flights longer than 2 hours) except Gluten Free that is required by law to Argentina. So, don't expect much from them.. They implemented this policy during COVID and now they make it standard.

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

COPA has a 48-hour StopOver in Panamá City if you want to see it before resuming flight to your destination.

[@PaoPanama]

It's a 6 night max Panama stopover over option without buying an extra ticket.

[@michaelweibel9891]

Hi Alex, Air North/ Yukon Air picked up a new to them 737-800!! Hopefully you make it up here for a review

[@stanleovart]

9:03 😂 i first heard that meal option was a banana opium cake. What!??? Well, typical style for the countries down here 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@wuzen-productions]

Going to Caracas from Toronto on Copa airlines tomorrow 👌

[@mvg2993]

That landing... yikes. Were the conditions difficult or do they just hate tires in Panama?

[@karlossargeant3872]

I hope to fly on Copa Airlines for sure.

[@Useroon]

Copa just started service in my home airport!

[@FireDawg276]

I flew COPA in 2000 from SJO - PTY. I’m 6’1”, and I couldn’t tolerate the seat pitch back then either even though it was only a 1 hour flight. I don’t know how you were able to endure 6+ hours.

[@stefansamos4304]

Buddy, you’re 6’1”. You’re special…

[@Dexter037S4]

YUL reached capacity in the 60s, it's why the white elephant/auto racing track Mirabel was even built.

[@apenguinplays2238]

I’m gonna be going through Montreal airport in two days from now

[@e.1145]

i was on HP-9908CMP on CM472 PTY-LAX on that day lol

[@jamesw5126]

MAX 9 PTY to Montevideo, Uruguay 7.5 hours business pod on a 737. Awesome.

[@charlieolson2156]

Ah yes the left main touchdown and bounce. Lovely

[@GastónM-x3s]

I was in a flight to Panamá city from Cancun and only was 3 hours

[@NatesPlaneSpotting]

Cool

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

Bienvenue á Panama 🇵🇦

[@wikidsaviation]

you should try avelo airlines!

[@jazzcupjoey]

Copa's registration is a sentence lol

[@claycassin8437]

So did I!

[@etos2]

Hi Alex, what about Tocumen airport vs Montreal? 😊

[@carlospalomeras3497]

In wich airline you will be traveling donesticly?

[@luckydropwhat5austinshao303]

copa is great! but when i took the flight from montreal to panama the food was pretty mid.(i had churros)

[@TeddyBearGaming999]

Those seats are the exact same as united use on their newer 737 interiors. I find them pretty uncomfortable on longer trips

[@freshpotatolikesaviation]

I still am questioning Copa's livery, from the side and window/engine views it literally looks like United

[@JohnAnderson-sq8lt]

Hi Alex, I am a subscriber. I have a question, I live in Barrie Ontario, near the Simcoe airport, a small local airport that handles private jet and props daily. I drove by the other day and notice about 8 Dash 8 400s , some with logos still on, showing LOT, I think that is Polish Airlines, also some former Air Canada units, would you know anything about these aircraft?

[@crjetpilot]

Would be interested to know how much legroom you’d have had in seat 21F on any other airline? Even if it was an A330, or a 787, I doubt you’d have any extra space (comparing apples to apples). I’ve flown on Copa several times. I’d rate them well above average,if not to the top. Great product, consistently great customer service! The seatbelt sign is at the captain’s discretion. Perhaps there was forecasted turbulence along the route, or reports from other aircraft of turbulence. If you choose to leave your seat, it’s at your own risk. That’s how things go in today’s lawsuit happy world.

[@ManuelGuzman067]

Thought it looked like United airlines and Continental logo ✈️

[@killercan10]

YUL. I still don't get why they didn't go for broke on Mirabel and complete it all the way with the projected 6 total runways. Instead they banked on Dorval, with no room to grow it.

[@40cal2]

That livery looks.... similar....

[@Capt.Umber_Raina]

Definitely gives a “you may copy my homework just make a little bit different for the teacher” kind of energy 😂😂😂

[@40cal2]

YES lol

[@Hamza-ek8xy]

6:25 what song is this? Thank you

[@Chickenbus22]

I’ve done 7 hours on a 737-800 from Panama City to Buenos several times. Copa has an excellent operation, though the service is pretty meh

[@lonistewart3405]

Did the plane get deiced?

[@Northernmike100]

I’m Canadian and Montreal is my Mothers home town, as well as what I consider to be an awesome city. That being said, YUL is one of the worst Airports in Canada. Ottawa, Calgary and many others are so much better!

[@BismanAirwaysOffical]

Couldn’t you fly from YYZ to panama city instead on YUL?

[@Canadian76]

Thought they shut down years ago

[@BottomLin3Op]

I always thought United owned Copa or had some type of dealing with them.

[@jasonputerbaugh9965]

I like copa airlines

[@davidlp6510]

How tall are you? I'm 6'2" and I wonder if it would be the same for me.

[@viscount757]

What was your fare?

[@stevencampbell9762]

Have you ever been to Jamaica yet?

[@Patrickair4444]

I wonder why Copa airlines doesn’t serve Edmonton Calgary or Vancouver

[@NayTableIguess]

I know u will never reply but can u fly from Winnipeg to Puerto Vallarta on Westjet

[@charlesthistlethwaite]

Copa got unceremoniously dumped in the United Continental merger after following CO from SkyTeam to the Star Alliance and suffers from limited code share connections with UA. Most of the 737Max flights are timed as red-eyes which is where their lie-flat dreams product really shines (I'm 6'4“ and can't do the 31“ pitch either). YVR or YYC to PTY would be one of the longest 737 flights in the world.

[@FalIenz]

I swear copa airlines livery looks like united airlines livery idk why