Hello from Panama! After flying Boliviana de Aviacion’s A330 business class from Miami (MIA) to Santa Cruz de le Sierra (VVI), and then connecting to GOL’s 737 MAX premium economy to Sao Paulo (GRU), I then continued in Copa’s 737 MAX business class to Panama City (PTY). This was a 6hr20min flight, departing at the rather ungodly hour of 3:10AM.
I was looking forward to finally flying Copa’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 business class, which is the carrier’s sole aircraft type featuring flat beds in business class. I had intended to fly this a couple of years back, but there was a plane swap at the last minute, so I reviewed Copa’s 737-800 business class (actually, two versions of the carrier’s 737-800 business class).
In this post I wanted to share my initial thoughts, and then soon I’ll have a full review. Long story short, I think Copa business class can represent a great deal, given the generally excellent pricing, and plentiful award availability. It’s nice to get a flat bed and some decent amenities, but this is about as no frills as business class gets, from the food, to the service, to the lack of Wi-Fi.
Copa’s 737 MAX business class seats are at least flat
Copa’s Boeing 737 MAX 9s have what the airline markets as its “Dreams” business class. Planes either have three or four rows of business class, and I was on a jet with three rows of business class (which in theory is preferred in terms of service levels and lavatory access, but manage your expectations when it comes to both). 😉
Copa uses the popular Collins Aerospace Diamond seat, so the cabin is in a 2-2 layout, meaning there’s not direct aisle access from every seat.
These aren’t really competitive long haul business class seats nowadays, but for a narrow body jet, it’s of course still better than not having a flat bed. Copa did a pretty nice job with the finishes of the seats, as I quite like the color scheme.
I do wish the airline had created a larger privacy shield between the two seats, because you really have no privacy from the person seated next to you, and that can be less than ideal when one person is trying to sleep, while the other wants to be awake.
While this seat isn’t about to win any awards, I did manage to get some solid sleep in my window seat, though in fairness, I was also really tired.
Copa has an okay entertainment selection on its 737 MAXs, with around 90 movies, 60 TV shows, and the map feature. Rather frustratingly, Copa doesn’t have Wi-Fi on these jets. That wasn’t a huge deal on this very early morning flight, but for a daytime flight, that’s less than ideal.
Copa’s business class bedding is excellent
To Copa’s credit, the airline offers excellent bedding, with a plus pillow and thick blanket. This made it easy to get cozy, and on top of that, the individual air nozzles helped with regulating airflow.
There was also an amenity kit offered, which I found to be surprisingly cute, especially with the clouds all over the eyeshades and socks.
Do note that these special amenities are only offered on the carrier’s longest 737 MAX 9 routes, to Southern South America, to the West Coast of the United States, and to the Northeast of the United States. You’ll sometimes see 737 MAX 9s operating shorter flights as well (like to Miami), but the improved soft product isn’t offered on these routes.
Copa’s business class service & catering is lackluster
You should fly Copa business class for the ability to get some rest, but you can kind of forget about the rest of the product. Admittedly this was an awkwardly timed flight, but I still found the food to be quite bad. There were no menus, and there was a snack after takeoff, and then breakfast before landing.
After takeoff, the flight attendant simply passed out cardboard boxes, intended as a snack that passengers can help themselves to at any time. I’m sorry, but does this really look like a business class meal?
This snack consisted of a vegetable and cheese sandwich, which tasted (and looked) like nothing. There was also a banana bread dessert of sorts.
Then before landing breakfast was served, with the option of scrambled eggs or waffles. I selected the scrambled eggs, with turkey bacon (or something) and sliced pumpkin. This came with a side of fruit, plus a white roll. Honestly, this wasn’t impressive at all, especially as the main meal on a (sort of) long haul flight.
The coffee situation wasn’t good either. Copa doesn’t even have milk onboard, so if you want to add something to your coffee, the only option is powdered creamer. Bleh!
The crew on this flight couldn’t have been more indifferent if they tried. The flight attendant working business class wasn’t rude in any way, but he wasn’t in any way charming, or proactive, or anything. After takeoff, he was in the cabin once to hand out the snack and offer a drink, and then he emerged before landing to offer breakfast and a drink.
There was never a greeting after boarding, offering a drink refill, checking to see if anyone wanted anything, or anyone being addressed by name.
I’d consider flying with Copa again…
There’s a challenge with assessing Copa. If you compare Copa to the long haul business class products offered by a vast majority of airlines nowadays, Copa wouldn’t compare favorably. But I also don’t view that as a totally fair comparison, as Copa has a unique business model, as it’s like the Icelandair of the Americas:
- Copa has an incredibly expansive network in the Americas, and connects all kinds of markets with one stop that other airlines don’t serve efficiently
- Panama is an efficient hub with short connection times, and Copa also has an impressive on time performance, so Copa will generally get you where you need to go in a timely fashion
- Copa’s business class pricing is largely much lower than the competition, and award availability is also typically much more readily available, including in business class
So if I were redeeming miles and had the option of flying nonstop on a wide body in business class or on Copa through Panama at the same cost, of course I’d choose the former. But if there’s no award availability, and Copa has a sub-$1,000 one-way business class ticket from deep in South America to North America, there’s not another airline that can compete with that kind of value.
I do wish that Copa invested a bit in its passenger experience, from offering Wi-Fi, to improving the meals, to having friendlier service. But honestly, I’m not sure there would be a return on investment for that with the airline, since an amazing product isn’t why people fly with Copa.
I will say that if I flew Copa again, I’d absolutely do an overnight flight once again, since the lack of Wi-Fi and fairly limited entertainment would be less ideal for a daytime flight. Furthermore, I’d prefer this product if traveling with a companion, since I like these seats when I’m traveling with someone, while I’m not as much of a fan if I’m next to a stranger.
Bottom line
I’m happy I finally had the chance to fly Copa’s 737 MAX “Dreams” business class. For a 737, this is a pretty nice product, given that you get a flat bed, and the bedding is comfortable as well. Beyond that, though, don’t expect much, from the food, to the service, to the lack of Wi-Fi.
I wouldn’t hesitate to fly Copa again if the price or schedule were right, since the airline has a unique business model in the Americas. But if there were another airline with an equally convenient schedule, I’d almost certainly choose that.
What do you make of Copa’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 “Dreams” business class?
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