Pro-tip if you have Amex points, you can get business class tickets on Copa from IAD to PTY for 25,000 points (through Air Canada), and the seats are sometimes flat beds...pretty good deal.

Wow, if you thought Avian was great you will love Copa! They both get you there safely, and that's what matters.

I flew copa once. It was fine. Tbh I don’t fully understand people’s obsession with ‘better’ airlines. For the most part, they are roughly the same. All tend to nickle and dime, some slightly more, some less but their ticket prices are higher. My family sometimes claims they will never fly such and such airline, but delta is usually deemed ok. Meanwhile worst airline experience I ever had was with Delta during their crowdstrike debacle. Months and hours and hours later, still no resolution

All Copa flights go through Panama.

Copa is much nicer than Avianca! Have flown Copa recently to South America and Avianca in August to La Paz. Copa is so much better!

It’s fine, but keep in mind you’ll need to pay for a checked bag if you buy the basic economy. We did a layover in Panama which is a nice hub.

Copa is good, no complaints. I've flown it a bunch but it's been about two years.

You may be able to do a layover in Panama City (the hub). One day is enough to see the highlights of the city. Panama City airport (PTY) is small so the transfer is easy.

I mean if you thought Avianca was a good airline, Copa will feel like flying private.

Me and DH are planning to travel over the winter season to somewhere in South America (don't know exactly), and the cheapest flight we can get tickets to is with Copa Airlines. Last time we flew to somewhere in Latin America was with Avianca and it was a great experience with them. I'm a bit interested to see what Copa has to offer, but is there any negative points about the airline?