Copa Airlines commenced operations in 1947, and has since grown to operate a fleet of more than 100 Boeing 737 family aircraft. In June 2012, the Panamanian flag carrier became a member of Star Alliance, solidifying its status as a major player in the Americas region. Today, Copa Airlines serves more than 80 destinations across the Americas from its hub at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The latest data from ch-aviation shows that Copa Airlines operates a fleet of 32 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, with an average age of just over three years old. The carrier is currently the third-largest operator of the 737 MAX 9, after United Airlines (78 aircraft) and Alaska Airlines (59 aircraft). Copa Airlines has two different configurations of the aircraft:
Economy class
Business class
Total
150
16
166
162
12
174
Using data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, what are the longest routes that Copa Airlines will operate with the Boeing 737 MAX 9 in December 2024?
5 Panama City (PTY) – Florianópolis (FLN)
3,262 miles
In fifth place, spanning a distance of 3,262 miles, is one of Copa Airlines’ newest routes – Florianópolis. The carrier launched flights to the city’s Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN) in June 2024, and in December, will operate 17 flights in each direction.
Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock
Hercílio Luz International Airport processed 3.9 million passengers in 2023, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak to make it the busiest year in the airport’s history. Panama City is one of the few international destinations served from Florianópolis, with the airport’s only long-haul route being TAP Air Portugal’s service to Lisbon (LIS).
Another Brazilian airport will join its network soon.
4 Panama City (PTY) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
3,285 miles
In December 2024, Copa Airlines will operate 72 flights in each direction between its hub in Panama City and Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport (GIG). The carrier does not face any direct competition on its Panama City – Rio de Janeiro route, although a number of one-stop options are available, including via Bogotá (BOG) on fellow Star Alliance member avianca.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Although Galeão International Airport handles all of the city’s international traffic, its total of 8 million passengers in 2023 makes it only the second-busiest airport in Rio de Janeiro, after Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), which saw more than 11 million passengers in the same time period. When flying in and out of Santos Dumont Airport, passengers are treated to sweeping views of Guanabara Bay, with famous landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain clearly visible.
3 Panama City (PTY) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
3,312 miles
The third-longest route operated by Copa Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 9s in December 2024 is Panama City to Buenos Aires, coming in at 3,312 miles long. The carrier will operate a total of 110 flights to and from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), which is the largest international airport in Argentina.
Photo: Miguel Lagoa | Shutterstock
Southbound flights have a block time of 7 hours and 14 minutes, with northbound journeys scheduled to take slightly longer at 7 hours and 28 minutes.
Buenos Aires sees an unusually high number of fifth freedom routes – what are they, and why are they so popular?
2 Panama City (PTY) – San Francisco (SFO)
3,320 miles
The only North American route to feature in this list, Copa Airlines launched flights to San Francisco International Airport in 2015. Today, the 3,320-mile route is flown by the Boeing 737 MAX 9, and in December 2024, Copa Airlines will operate 42 flights in each direction. Flights are scheduled with a block time in the region of 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
This route connects Copa Airlines to the major West Coast and transpacific hub of its fellow Star Alliance member, United Airlines, making it a logical addition to its network. Elsewhere in California, Copa Airlines also operates to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
How many of them can you name?
1 Panama City (PTY) – Montevideo (MVD)
3,384 miles
The longest scheduled route that Copa Airlines will fly with its Boeing 737 MAX 9s in December 2024 is between Panama City and Montevideo. The carrier’s route to General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport (MVD) in the Uruguayan capital was originally launched in 2006, and is now served three times per day in each direction.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
With the exception of services to Madrid (MAD) operated by Iberia and Air Europa, Copa Airlines’ services to Panama City are the longest direct flights from Montevideo. The Colombian flag carrier avianca offers passengers looking to travel between Panama City and Montevideo several one-stop options via its hub at Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG).
Some of these flights are the city’s only US connection.
With its strategically located hub at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport and extensive route network covering North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, Copa Airlines has carved out a niche for itself, connecting passengers to destinations across the Americas.
The Flag Carrier of Panama uses its unique position in Panama City to link more than 80 destinations across North, South, and Central America.
In addition to 32 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, the carrier operates:
9 x Boeing 737-700 1 x Boeing 737 MAX 8 (with a further 21 on order) 58 x Boeing 737-800.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
As the national flag carrier, Copa Airlines is understandably by far the largest operator at Tocumen International Airport. A limited number of services are also operated by international carriers, including:
American Airlines – Miami (MIA) Delta Air Lines – Atlanta (ATL) United Airlines – Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR) Iberia – Madrid (MAD) Air Europa – Madrid (MAD) KLM – Amsterdam (AMS) Air France – Paris (CDG).
Author :
Publish date : 2024-11-24 01:04:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
Author : theamericannews
Publish date : 2024-11-24 14:11:14
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.