www.CostaRicaTicas.com

In the process of planning next trip. Noticed Copa airlines has some great deals from $339 round trip! Usually have flown United however was wondering if anyone has flown Copa. If you have any opinions or comments would be appreciated.

I've had many clients come in on COPA and I've yet to hear a bad thing. They have a very good safety record and I wouldn't hesitate to fly on them if the schedule/price were acceptable.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

FWIW, I took Copa To PTY out of New Orleans in Dec & was quite impressed. In my opinion, this is what an airline used to be. They had a little coffee/fruit/yogurt/bottled water room to the side of the gate that was all complimentary. That's right , no $$$...free.....complimentary!! Wow!!!

It was an early morning flight so breakfast was served. It was average at best but it was......all complimentary. That's right , no $$$...free.....complimentary!! Wow!!!

On the way back, there was no such break room in the PTY airport. There was however a free meal provided, again , average at best but .......all complimentary. That's right , no $$$...free.....complimentary!! Wow!!!


Try getting that outta UA....not gonna happen.

On the rtn flight I got a window seat with no seat in front of me so I had all the leg room I needed! Very nice.

No clue on baggage fees as I never check.

My only issue is their flight times. 6 a.m. departure down to PTY & 10:30 pm return back to MSY (New Orleans) but it is what it is!! I think that is the flight that continues down to MDE.

In short, I will choose Copa over the devil that is UA anytime, even with the 2 hour commute to MSY.

Two thumbs up for COPA!!!!

CostaReeker

Copa is an excellent airline. IMO, the best Latin American airline by far...best, newer planes and always on time with an efficient hub airport in PTY (Panama City).

The only complaint I would have is the price on some of their "low competition" routes, particularly in South America ... They get away charging whatever they want. If you book very early, months in advance, this is usually not an issue.

As a general rule nearly any airline is as good or better than United which is the armpit of the airline industry.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Can you no longer select a seat in advance with those $339 fares? When I tried it wasn't letting me, but their website can be a bit buggy at times.

You can select your seat when it comes time for check-in. The first 4 rows are always blocked out, but when it's web check-in time, they open up. The Exit row seats always seem to be open. But if you don't speak fluent Spanish, the flight attendants may move you. (It's one of their conditions for occupying an exit row seat). With the upgrade auction, it's very easy to get a business class seat. I always bid the minimum and get the upgrade. I use COPA or Avianca for travel to the States or in Latin America. I try to avoid US airlines whenever I can... even if I end up paying a little more.

COPA allows 2 checked bags... 50 lbs each for a total of 100 lbs... FREE.

Copa is a good airline. They have one plus which I mentioned here before. You can bid on a first class upgrade. I got it more than one time, cheap, since I think most people don't know about it. Saved a bunch and had a great trip.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

I had that problem when I booked the last flight I took with them. I don't remember the exact time frame, but I think it was about a month before the flight that the seat selection option opened on their web site. My suggestion is to just keep trying every few days.

Copa is now my go to airline for flying to MDE. Some of the positives: They allow two checked bags of up to 50 lbs each and a carry-on bag of up to 22 lbs. The planes are roomy, with enough leg room for an average size person to stretch their legs a little. They give you a hot meal, even on the short routes. Although they do have some male flight attendants, I haven't seen any of their flight attendants who are grossly fat and/or 50+ years old. The price you see on their web site includes everything (within reason).

The only negative is they fly through Panama City. I do not like that airport. Everything is very expensive. The men's room can be very far from your gate.

I've used Copa twice from San Jose to PTY. Love them.

Thank you for all the replies. I did go ahead a book Copa from Las for $339 roundtrip. Looking forward to flying a carrier other than United or American. The only hesitation was the 5:43 am departure on the return flight. I will be going back from Jaco, but just figured I will plan the night out and do some sleeping on the flight! I figured I was only going to sitting around the hotel another few hours getting depressed anyhow!!

Good decision! Could you please describe your full trip with connections? Flying SJO to PTY, then LAS? What are the times? Thanks!

Leave Las ar 11:54pm arrive Pty at 8:05am. Leave Pty at 11:24am arrive Sjo at 11:46am. Coming back leaving Sjo at 5:43am arrive Pty ar 8:01am. Leave Pty at 9:44 am and arrive Las at 2:46pm. There is a flight from Panama that leaves for Sjo 59 minutes after arrival but I did not want to take a chance cutting it to close. Had I researched it a little more and realized that you don't have to go through immigration or customs on the connecting flight I would have given that flight some thought! I believe it gets into Sjo around 9:30 am

Jeezus ... than what is Spirit! ... the flithy crotch of the industry?

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!