Is Copa owned by United?

No, Copa Airlines isn’t owned by United Airlines. However, both Copa and United are part of the Star Alliance, so you can book flights on both airlines through either program.

Which country is Copa Airlines from?

Copa Airlines is based in Panama City, Panama, and is the country’s flag carrier.

Where does Copa fly in the U.S.?

Copa Airlines currently flies to 17 destinations in the U.S.: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Raleigh, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

Can I use United miles on Copa?

Yes, you can use United miles to book Copa Airlines flights when booking through United, since both airlines are part of the Star Alliance.

Does Copa Airlines have business class?

Yes, Copa Airlines has business class seats. You’ll find lie-flat Dreams business class seats on Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes from select cities. Other planes will have a business class with seats that are more like a domestic first class seat (not lie-flat, but bigger than economy).

Copa Airlines Review: 4 Things You Need To Know for 2025

Updated: September 5, 2025, 3:00pm CDT

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Table of Contents

Flying Copa Airlines
1. All Routes From the U.S. Fly Through Panama City
2. Copa Airlines Offers a Stopover Program
3. Booking With Points May Get Easier This Year
4. There are 2 Types of Business Class Seats
Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

The author traveled as a guest of Copa Airlines. All opinions are the author’s own, and the airline had no input in this article.

You may not be familiar with Copa Airlines, but if you plan to visit Central or South America, this Panama-based airline is bound to appear in your flight searches. With 17 gateway cities in the U.S. and over 90 destinations, Copa Airlines offers a convenient way to access the Americas.

Since Copa isn’t well-known to U.S. passengers, I wanted to share 4 essential things you should know before booking your next vacation to Central or South America on Copa Airlines.

Flying Copa Airlines

I flew Copa Airlines for the first time in June 2025 to experience what the airline offers. I spent 3 nights in Panama City, Panama, and in addition to exploring the city, I was able to visit the Copa Airlines training facility, where I experienced every AvGeek’s dream: to try out the emergency slide (without an emergency)! Check out episode 14 of “The Upgraded Points Podcast” for a trip recap.

1. All Routes From the U.S. Fly Through Panama City

Copa Airlines connects 91 destinations in 32 countries across North, Central, and South America, including 17 destinations from the U.S. to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY):

Copa Airlines plane at Panama City PTY — A Copa Airlines plane at PTY.

Hot Tip:

In June 2025, Copa Airlines was added to seats.aero, one of our favorite award search tools.

2. Copa Airlines Offers a Stopover Program

One of the best things about flying Copa Airlines is the Stopover program, which allows passengers to add a 24-hour to 7-day stopover in Panama City for no additional flight cost. It’s a great way to see Panama City on your way to another destination.

Copa Airlines stopover program — Add a free stopover in Panama. Image Credit: Copa Airlines

As part of the Stopover program, Copa Airlines has partnered with hotels, restaurants, and activity providers to offer discounts and perks for Stopover guests.

The hotel I stayed at during my trip, Hotel La Compañía Casco Antiguo (a Hyatt Unbound Collection hotel), is a Stopover program partner hotel. As part of the program, Stopover guests get free breakfast for 2 guests at El Santuario and perks like a craft beer tasting and a tequila tasting at the hotel’s restaurants.

To book a Copa Airlines Stopover ticket, select Multi-City/Stopover and check the button next to Add Stopover in Panama.

3. Booking With Points May Get Easier This Year

Currently, Copa Airlines doesn’t have 1:1 transfer partners in the U.S., so the only easy way to earn Copa Airlines ConnectMiles is by transferring from Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll get a 5,000-mile bonus after transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, so you’ll end up with 25,000 Copa miles after transferring 60,000 Marriott points.

However, redeeming Copa Airlines ConnectMiles may get easier this year. During my trip, I chatted with a Copa Airlines executive who told me they are working on securing a partnership with a major transferable currency, most likely Capital One.

So, while we don’t have any official information yet, don’t be surprised to see Copa Airlines added as a new Capital One miles transfer partner later this year.

Hot Tip:

Copa Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, which means you can book flights through partners like United Airlines. However, if you want to take advantage of Copa’s Stopover program, you must book directly.

4. There are 2 Types of Business Class Seats

Copa Airlines exclusively flies 737 airplanes. If you’re booking business class on Copa Airlines, note the plane type and route to determine which type of business class seat to expect.

Copa Airlines business class 737 800 — Business class on a Copa Airlines 737-800 plane.

Dreams business class is a newer product with lie-flat seats, while the regular business class is similar to domestic first class. Regardless of the type of business class seat, the cabin is always in a 2×2 layout:

Boeing 737 MAX 9 (version A): 16 Dreams business class seats
Boeing 737 MAX 9 (version B): 12 Dreams business class seats
Boeing 737 MAX 8: 16 “regular” business class seats
Boeing 737-800: 16 “regular” business class seats

Look for the Dreams business class product on 737 MAX 9 planes flying to/from select cities:

Buenos Aires (EZE): All flights
Los Angeles (LAX): All flights
Miami (MIA): CM 485, 226, 227, 481
Montevideo (MVD): All flights
New York (JFK): CM 809, CM 812
Rio de Janeiro (GIG): All flights

San Diego (SAN): All flights
San Francisco (SFO): All flights
Santiago de Chile (SCL): CM 227, 498, 395, 475
São Paulo (GRU): All flights
Washington Dulles (IAD): CM 443 and 444

Bottom Line:

Copa Airlines only flies 737 airplanes. Dreams business class with lie-flat seats is only found on Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, while Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 737-800 planes have an older-style business class similar to a domestic first class seat.

I flew between Chicago and Panama City on a 737-800 and sat in the regular business class seats. While this wasn’t the newer Dreams business class product and didn’t have lie-flat seats, it was still a comfortable way to fly.

Copa Airlines business class on a 737 800 — I had plenty of space, but there wasn’t a footrest.

My seat was similar to what you might find in a domestic first class cabin: a 2×2 configuration with wider seats and more recline than economy seats. There was a pillow and blanket on each seat for added comfort. However, there wasn’t any footrest like you’d find in international premium economy.

Hot Tip:

Copa Airlines flight attendants are required to know Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Final Thoughts

Copa Airlines is a Panama-based airline that connects North, Central, and South America through over 90 destinations, including 17 U.S. cities. If you’re flying from the U.S., you’ll always fly through Panama City, Panama. If that’s not your final destination, consider taking advantage of Copa’s Stopover program, which allows you to add a 24-hour to 7-day stopover for no additional flight charge.