copa???????

[TheBatmanDude]

Any experience flying these guys? they go orlando to Bogota. Do the planes run on rubber bands? thx.

I would say Copa is okay. However, they did kick me off the plane once in Panama on a return trip. They said they had no room. From what I understand the airlines can legally overbook (to a point). It wasn't that bad. Free 5 star hotel room, free tour, free breakfast, lunch and dinner, free voucher.

Basically, I have no beef with Copa. If it is a lower fare, go for it.

[GrizGator]

I have flown Copa twice. The good news is that it flies from Orlando. The bad news is that the prices can be hit or miss....and you must connect through Panama City. This summer I found the fares to be competitive (actually better than Avianca and American when I booked less than 4 weeks from my trip). The flight ran on time. I had relatively short lay-overs in Panama (2 hours or less). They partner with Continental. The planes appear to be old Continental planes. The seating is not that comfortable (small seats with little leg room), but you are only in the plane for about 3 hours from Orlando to Panama. If you get a good fare, I agree with Encino...take it....and it sure beats the drive from Miami (at least for me, as it's 4 hours to Miami vs. only 1 hour to Orlando).

Griz

[Flaco]

They overbook big time and are poorly organized. Get there way early so that they do not sell your ticket. Be first in line to board, as the overhead space is limited and you might end up with your carry on in your leg space otherwise. In LA I was allowed only 20lbs for my carryon, and (2) 50lb checked bags, and they would not let me pay more for extra weight. I had to leave stuff at the airport to make the weight on my bags. Jet was relatively new, and ok shape. One delay on my connection in Panama. Meals were small portions, but ok

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by Flaco

. In LA I was allowed only 20lbs for my carryon, and (2) 50lb checked bags, and they would not let me pay more for extra weight. I had to leave stuff at the airport to make the weight on my bags.

Are you serious about that?? That is complete bull****!!!! That alone sucks!!! On trip longer than a 10 days I alwasy end up stuffing over 50 lbs??

[GrizGator]

Hmmmm. Yes, they do have the 50 lb. limit per bag....as do most of the airlines now. When I used Copa in Miami and Orlando, they were allowing you to pay for overages. Might want to call on that one.

I agree that overhead space is limited (because the planes they use are the 3+3 design, meaning only one overhead bin on each side)....but not different than other airlines that fly a similar sized plane.

Food was OK, but I don't fly for the food on any airline. At least they serve food on all flights, even the 1 hour flight I took from Panama to Medellin (turkey sandwich, chips, and a small candy bar plus drink).

I don't find Copa to be any worse than any other airline I've flown south, other than perhaps LAN Chile.

Griz

[LastLion]

I understand the weight limit, but to have to leave your stuff at the airport, that is outrageous!!!! If you cant throw a 20 or $50 at them for the extra weight , that doesn't make sense!

This is good info, if it is fact, I would boycott COPA !!!! Continental is still at the bottom of my list, so if they are partners, it should make for an awful pair!

[STM]

Ha, Lastlion, COPA , Orlando to Bogota less then $500 R/T.
And get there early in the morning 11am, come home late 6pm flight.


I don't see why Griz didn't use COPA all the time, with that time schedule.

[GrizGator]

Well, to each his own. I don't doubt the story about the weight limit....but I also know that this was not an issue in either Miami or Orlando....they were allowing folks to pay the overage. I just can't figure out why so many people insist on taking so much luggage. 100 lbs. of luggage plus a 20 lb. carry-on is quite a bit. Heck, my wife and step-daughter went to Colombia for a month and took all kinds of stuff for the family. They had a total of 4 bags, none of which exceed 50 lbs. and a carry-on.

Bottom line is that for a good price and the convenience of leaving from Orlando, I'll take Copa if the price is right. STM, I would have been flying them all along if I had been able to get those kind of deals from the get-go. I tend to shop on price, so for most of the last few years, I've flown American or Avianca, whichever was cheaper. Copa was often not in the game....not that I remember. Not sure whether there prices weren't competitive....or they did not fly the route.....or I just didn't want to deal with a connection (especially when I was flying down to Bogota for long weekends every 3 weeks after I was married). Of course, all of this will be moot if an when Jet Blue finally starts flying direct to Bogota from Orlando!

Griz

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by STM

Ha, Lastlion, COPA , Orlando to Bogota less then $500 R/T.
And get there early in the morning 11am, come home late 6pm flight.
.

STM are you throwing that east coast short flight **** at us poor westerners!!

Griz, so you can load 2 bags for free and one carryon???

Hey for a 4 hour flight I would fly it. Don't need food and I would probably be there once a month if a had a gal down there I was serious about at that price.

Not from here, the best flight here is out of Los Angelos, leave at midnight get to bogota by 7:a.m. Not bad timing if you can sleep on the plane!!!

But minimum 7 hours, if you go thru houston 10 hours+, atlanta 11+ !!!