- Konrad Tillman
Copa Airlines 737 Max 9 Business Class: I'm Quite Impressed! A Quick Look.
Intro
Just yesterday evening, I got back from my latest trip down to countries 84 and 85 (hence the lack of posting😅). The main purpose of this trip was to head down to Belize to fly in the cockpit of a Cessna Caravan from Belize City to Caye Caulker with Maya Air. However, in order to get to Belize, I managed to get a great deal on Copa Airline with one leg, including the 737 Max 9 product.
This isn't a full report (I will have one published in the coming weeks), but I wanted to share a quick look at why I think Copa Airlines has a decent product, at least better than I expected.
Let's get into it.
The Seats Are More Than Adequate
Before we get into why the seats aren't too bad, one has to realize that Copa Airlines doesn't fly longer than 7.5 hours on these planes.
Seats are arranged in a 2-2 configuration and are very comfortable! I managed to get 5 hours of uninterrupted rest, which is an impressive feature for a 6-hour flight😅. The color scheme of the cabin is also impressive and reminds me of a nicer version of the United 757-200 in Business Class.
I was a little skeptical regarding a lie-flat seat on a plane as small as the max 9. However, the footwell seemed more spacious than what was pictured. I've always been a side sleeper and was able to sleep on my side; that's enough for me!
The Service
2 of the 5 flights from this trip were on Copa Airlines. The service was quite good on the LAX leg and phenomenal on the leg up to Belize. Before takeoff, meal orders were taken, passengers were addressed by name, and cute amenity kits were handed out.
The service was more polished than most flights across the US, but certainly not up there with service from Asian Carriers. Upon discussing this with the crew from Panama-Belize, I discovered that they are extremely overworked and pushed to the limits.
The Lounge
The absolute best part of the experience with Copa Airlines is the fact you have access to one of the best Star Alliance lounges in the world, the Star Alliance lounge at LAX.
While there will also be a full review posted regarding this lounge in the near future, I found, as always, the seating to be perfect with couches by the outdoor fireplace. The food was a big step up from the last time I was there, and the drinks were also spot on. Considering that this flight board is 10 minutes after the Star Alliance Lounge closes (1 am), I think one has to consider that Copa does well here by offering access to its customers.
Final Thoughts
This is a flight review that I am excited to share and would do now if I hadn't finished up the last trip to Nicaragua. Copa Airlines provided a decent offering, from the lounge to a lie-flat bed to good service. No other US carriers offer lie-flat beds to Panama, showing that Copa Airlines has a monopoly on getting some good rest down to Panama. For the price I paid, it was vastly cheaper than all the other potential airlines that could have got me there. Stay tuned for the few downsides on this flight, as the food left a lot to be desired.
