After flying from Miami to Panama City, it was time to fly business class from Panama City to Lima. I was expecting the same product I had on the last flight, but it wasn't the case.

Copa’s ancient Boeing 737 business class

I felt like I was going back in time to Continental Airlines when I saw this plane. The safety video was supposed to begin with Larry Kellner welcoming us.

Business class seats had the same amount of pitch as the previous flight, so they had the same amount of space. This cabin hadn't been updated in a while.

The cabin looked old, it wasn't well maintained, and leather was badly damaged and discolored.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 business class seats
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 business class seats

The overhead bins and overhead consoles looked old, even though there was no Boeing signature interior here.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 overhead service console
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 overhead bins

The screen in front of me was broken and would only go up half way.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 overhead TVs

There were no personal TVs, no power ports, no wi-fi, and no streaming entertainment in the new plane. It was a long way from now.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737s have little technology

A nice sunset makes for good inflight entertainment.

Sunset enroute to Lima

Copa Airlines has three Boeing 737-800 configurations

The flat beds on the Boeing MAX 9s seem to be one of the reasons why the airline has three Boeing 737-800s.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 business class

There are 16 business class seats and 144 economy class seats in the two types of Boeing planes. One cabin is being updated and one cabin is not.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 business class
Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 business class

16 business class seats and 136 economy class seats are included in the 154 seats on the Boeing 757s. Legrests and TVs are included in the business class product on these planes.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 business class

It's hard to know what you'll get if you swap planes between the two configurations. Not all of these products are created equally.

Bottom line

My experience in business class was not great. I have not seen anything like it in a long time on a plane. It's not just that the interior looks old, but it's also incredibly low tech in terms of passenger experience, with no entertainment or power outlets

I will have full flight reviews soon, but they are only on the website of the airline. More exciting airlines are on the way.

What do you think of the class?

exp-player-logo