Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines, officially known as Compañía Panameña de Aviación, S.A., is the national airline of Panama and operates as a subsidiary of Copa Holdings. It was founded on 21 June 1944 and commenced operations on 15 August 1947. The airline is headquartered in Panama City and uses Tocumen International Airport as its main hub. Copa Airlines is a member of Star Alliance and operates flights to 85 destinations across 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

Initially, Copa Airlines operated domestic flights but shifted to international routes in 1980. It allied with Continental Airlines in 1998, which led to a brand change. Continental later exited its stake in 2008, and Copa Airlines became fully independent. The airline acquired AeroRepública in 2005, rebranding it as Copa Airlines Colombia.

Copa Airlines' fleet consists of 103 aircraft, all from Boeing. The airline operates Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9, and 737 MAX 10 models. It also has a freight division and Wingo, a low-cost airline in Colombia.

Copa Airlines offers a frequent flyer program called ConnectMiles, which replaced MileagePlus in 2015. It provides Copa Club lounges at several airports. Business Class passengers receive priority services, lie-flat beds on select aircraft, and in-flight meals. Economy Class passengers have personal entertainment and meal services depending on the route.

Copa Airlines has faced one fatal accident, Flight 201 in 1992, and one hijacking attempt in 1994. It continues to expand with new routes, including flights to Raleigh, North Carolina; Florianopolis, Brazil; and Tulum, Mexico in 2024. The airline suspended flights to Venezuela in July 2024 due to political issues.

Copa Airlines was founded on 21 June 1944 as Compañía Panameña de Aviación, S.A., by Panamanian investors in partnership with Pan American World Airways, which held a 32% stake. The airline started operations on 15 August 1947 with three Douglas C-47 aircraft, offering domestic flights within Panama. In the 1960s, Copa Airlines expanded beyond Panama and began international flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Colombia. In 1971, Pan American World Airways sold its stake, making Copa Airlines a fully Panamanian-owned company.

In 1980, Copa Airlines discontinued domestic flights and focused entirely on international routes. The same year, it acquired its first jet aircraft, a Boeing 737-100, replacing smaller propeller planes. Until the early 1980s, Copa Airlines competed with Air Panamá Internacional, which had a larger market share. During the 1990s, the airline expanded its network to include major cities in Latin America, including Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogotá, Havana, Guayaquil, Lima, Mexico City, and Caracas.

In 1992, Copa Airlines entered a strategic alliance with TACA Airlines, allowing the use of Tocumen International Airport as a regional hub. The agreement helped Copa Airlines become a significant player in Latin American air travel, attracting airlines such as LACSA, Aviateca, and NICA to the network. This alliance ended in 1998 after the six-year agreement expired. In the same year, Continental Airlines acquired a 49% stake in Copa Airlines, leading to a closer partnership that included code-sharing, branding similarities, and technical collaboration. Continental later reduced its ownership, fully exiting by 2008.

In the 2000s, Copa Airlines continued to expand its route network, adding services to cities such as Los Angeles, Cancún, Orlando, São Paulo, Quito, and New York. In 2005, the airline acquired 90% of AeroRepública, a Colombian domestic airline, and later rebranded it as Copa Airlines Colombia. In December 2005, Copa Holdings launched an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, making Copa Airlines one of the few Latin American airlines listed on the stock market.

In 2007, Copa Airlines became an associate member of the SkyTeam alliance but later decided to join Star Alliance in 2012. In 2008, Continental Airlines sold its remaining shares in Copa Airlines. The airline continued to expand, adding destinations such as Montevideo, Córdoba, Guadalajara, Punta Cana, and Washington, D.C. During the same period, the airline modernised its fleet with new Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 aircraft.

Copa Airlines joined Star Alliance in 2012, aligning itself with global airline partners. It continued to expand with the introduction of new routes to Las Vegas, Recife, Willemstad, Liberia, and Iquitos. The airline also introduced a mobile website and a new frequent flyer program, ConnectMiles, in 2015, replacing MileagePlus. That year, Copa Airlines resumed domestic flights within Panama for the first time in three decades, launching services to David, Chiriquí.

Between 2015 and 2019, the airline added flights to new destinations, including San Francisco, Belize City, Holguín, Chiclayo, Rosario, Mendoza, and Denver. In 2016, it placed an order for 61 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft valued at $6.6 billion. Copa Airlines also introduced Wingo, a low-cost airline based in Colombia, to expand its regional operations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Copa Airlines, like other airlines, faced operational challenges. It reduced its fleet and temporarily suspended several routes. However, by 2021, the airline resumed services and expanded its network, launching new flights to Armenia, Colombia; Cúcuta, Colombia; and Atlanta, United States. In 2022 and 2023, Copa Airlines introduced additional destinations, including Santa Marta, Manta, Baltimore, Austin, and Barquisimeto.

In 2024, Copa Airlines expanded further, adding flights to Raleigh, North Carolina; Florianopolis, Brazil; and Tulum, Mexico. However, in July 2024, the airline suspended flights to Venezuela due to political instability. Despite challenges, Copa Airlines continued to strengthen its fleet by receiving additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and focusing on operational efficiency.

In 2025, the airline announced plans to increase its presence in key markets across North and South America, exploring new destinations and partnerships. Copa Airlines continued to modernise its fleet, improving fuel efficiency and sustainability efforts. The company also enhanced its frequent flyer program, ConnectMiles, to provide better rewards and travel benefits for its passengers. As of 2025, Copa Airlines remains the leading airline in Panama, operating an all-Boeing fleet with over 100 aircraft and serving 85 destinations across 32 countries.

Copa Airlines aims to provide safe, reliable, and efficient air travel while connecting the Americas through its hub in Panama. The airline focuses on offering high-quality service, maintaining operational excellence, and ensuring customer satisfaction. It is committed to expanding its network, improving passenger experience, and using modern technology to enhance efficiency. Copa Airlines works to strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, and maintain strong industry partnerships. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are also key priorities. The airline continues to invest in its fleet, employees, and innovation to remain a leading carrier in Latin America while delivering consistent value to passengers.

Copa Airlines envisions being the most preferred and efficient airline in Latin America, recognised for its strong network, punctuality, and service quality. It aims to strengthen its position as a key airline connecting North, Central, and South America through its hub in Panama. The airline strives to maintain high operational standards, adopt sustainable practices, and enhance the travel experience with modern technology. It seeks to build strong relationships with passengers, employees, and business partners while continuing to grow responsibly. Copa Airlines remains committed to innovation, safety, and excellence, ensuring long-term success and leadership in the aviation industry.

Copa Airlines has received several awards for its service quality, punctuality, and operational excellence. It has been recognised as the most punctual airline in Latin America multiple times by Cirium and FlightStats. The airline has also won Skytrax awards for being the Best Airline in Central America and the Caribbean. Copa Airlines has been acknowledged for its safety standards, customer service, and fleet efficiency. It is a member of Star Alliance, strengthening its global presence. Copa Airlines continues to maintain high operational standards and is recognised as one of the leading airlines in Latin America for its reliability and service.

Copa Airlines offers a range of products and services designed to provide a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers. The airline operates international flights across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, with a focus on connectivity through its hub at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Copa Airlines ensures high operational standards, punctuality, and customer satisfaction while offering different travel classes, a frequent flyer programme, airport lounges, and in-flight services.

Travel Classes

Copa Airlines provides two main travel classes: Business Class and Economy Class.

Business Class offers premium services, including priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling. Business Class passengers have access to Copa Club lounges at selected airports. The seats are wider and more comfortable, with extra legroom, reclining features, footrests, and adjustable headrests. On long-haul flights, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft include fully flat-bed seats. Business Class passengers receive complimentary meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment, including a personal screen with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and music.

Economy Class provides a comfortable experience with standard seating, adjustable headrests, and personal entertainment screens on newer aircraft. Passengers receive complimentary snacks and meals on medium and long-haul flights. Alcoholic drinks are available for free on all international flights. Copa Airlines also offers Economy Extra, which includes more legroom, priority boarding, and extra comfort.

Frequent Flyer Programme – ConnectMiles

Copa Airlines operates ConnectMiles, a frequent flyer programme that allows passengers to earn and redeem miles. ConnectMiles offers various membership levels, including Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Presidential, each with increasing benefits. Members earn miles based on travel distance and class of service. Miles can be redeemed for free flights, seat upgrades, extra baggage allowance, airport lounge access, and priority services.

ConnectMiles is linked with Star Alliance, allowing passengers to earn and redeem miles across other member airlines, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Air Canada. Members with elite status receive additional privileges, such as extra baggage, airport lounge access, and priority boarding.

Airport Lounges – Copa Club

Copa Airlines operates Copa Club, a premium airport lounge available for Business Class passengers, ConnectMiles elite members, and Star Alliance Gold members. Copa Club offers comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, free Wi-Fi, business facilities, and customer service support. The flagship Copa Club lounge is located at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, with additional lounges in San José (Costa Rica), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Guatemala City, Bogotá, and Medellín.

In-Flight Services

Copa Airlines offers complimentary food and drinks on all flights, with full meals provided on medium and long-haul routes. Business Class passengers receive multi-course meals with a selection of beverages, including wine, beer, and spirits. Economy Class passengers receive snacks on short flights and hot meals on longer journeys.

The airline provides in-flight entertainment through personal screens on newer aircraft, offering movies, TV shows, music, and games. Passengers on older aircraft can access overhead screens or listen to audio channels. The Boeing 737 MAX fleet features advanced entertainment systems, including touchscreen monitors and USB charging ports.

Cargo Services

Copa Airlines operates Copa Cargo, which provides air freight services for businesses and individuals. The cargo division transports general goods, perishables, pharmaceuticals, and special shipments across Copa Airlines' extensive network. Copa Cargo uses dedicated Boeing 737-800 freighter aircraft for larger shipments.

Additional Services

Copa Airlines offers various additional services, including group travel options, special assistance for passengers with disabilities, and travel insurance. The airline provides online check-in, self-service kiosks at major airports, and a mobile app for booking and managing flights. Copa Airlines also allows passengers to purchase extra baggage, select preferred seats, and upgrade to Business Class through bidding programmes or direct purchases.