Intro
Welcome to this report. Today I’m returning to the DC Area on a different route and different airline than usual. I am flying through Panama (PTY) on Copa Airlines, an airline that historically has offer a great service and outstanding on-time performance. This route was also the one that would get me earlier to BWI since the layover at PTY was only 1h22 and it did not involve going through immigration or claiming bags, it was just a gate-to-gate connection.
As PTY is the hub for Copa and is in the center of the Americas, it flights virtually to every country in the continent with the exception of a few small Caribbean islands. It offers seamless connections, no matter how short they are.
I’m also taking this opportunity to visit all lounges at SDQ that are open before my departure time (6:20 am). While I have visited all of them on different trips, this time I wanted to bring to the report a lounge tour.
My journey started at 3:20 am in the center of Santo Domingo. The ride took around 35 minutes.
Check-in
Quick check-in through the Copa Priority line.
View of the terminal, which is currently under renovation. Hopefully in a few months I can bring you the final result, which is supposed to be really nice.
Transfer to the VIP terminal to start my lounge tour. This time i just used the premium lounge to get airside faster.
Lounge Tour
BeforeBoarding Premium Lounge
The first lounge I visited was the Premium Lounge. I had access using a Visa Infinite Card from a local bank, which offers 12 visits per year. As this lounge offers fast track security and immigration, I asked the staff to take me airside as soon as possible.
Food offering, same as always
After 10 minutes or so, I asked to be walked to the lounge located right upstairs, “Sala Caribe”, also operated by BeforeBoarding. Very often, when the premium lounge fills out, passengers are moved there to avoid overcrowding in the fast track security/immigration. This lounge is always busy because it’s the only one accepting priority pass.
Sala Caribe
This lounge was originally built for Iberia, but when Iberia moved away from SDQ in the mid 2010s, BeforeBoarding started operating it. It recently underwent a renovation and was given a more modern look. I had access through PriorityPass.
The lounge was completely overcrowded and there was nowhere to sit. Food offering was the exact same as the Premium Lounge, so definitely not worth the detour.
Sky The Lounge
The next lounge I planned to visit, Sky, is the nicest one, but I didn’t know it was closed until a bit later. This one requires a co-payment when using Priority Pass and offers a really nice experience, with food from a locally recognized chef, a larger variety of drinks at the bar, and a more exclusive service.
I then walked to the Copa Lounge, which is in the other terminal, recently renamed to T gates. I got access because I was traveling on Business Class. The airside renovations turned the airport more beautiful but at the same time, a large number of bus gates were added to handle additional capacity, so the place has become more crowded.
Massive duty free area
Copa Club
The lounge decor is very elegant
But the food offering was not good
Little I knew that this was a preamble of the PTY lounge (more in the next report). At least they had a Cafe Santo Domingo brewer.
Next, the Amex Lounge
Scotiabank American Express Lounge
This lounge was opened about 10 years ago and renovated more recently. It’s open for American Express Platinum customers (both local and International) and is nicely decorated, very in line with the Amex Lounges in the rest of the world. I used my USA Amex Plat to access.
The lounge was just opened when I arrived, so the food offering was minimal.
The bar, although with a poor selection, is well appointed.
I only spent about 20 minutes because it was time to board my flight and I had to walk across the terminal
My typical 6:00 am JFK flight (reported many times here). I approached the gate to say Hi to the usual ground staff and they looked at me very confused as they knew I wasn’t on their flight but still saw me at the gate area.
Boarding
Boarding was very confusing and unorganized. As I arrived, they were pushing wheelchair passengers and adults traveling with children were also boarding. No clear announcements were made, so I approached the podium and was welcomed to board.
Jetbridge
My 737-700. One of the very few remaining on Copa’s fleet.
Esteban moment
The flight
My seat for the next 2 hours, 2A. Typical US style first class seat, although with a larger pitch and more padded than the US carrier’s first class seats.
Pitch was great
No IFE (not even audio), so magazine it is…
Although the seats were refurbished recently, the cabin itself looked very dated.
A local neighbor, Arajet, who recently moved most operations to Punta Cana. My Delta flight also getting ready to push back
Push back at 6:13 am, 7 minutes early. Flight was full in Economy and only 4/12 passengers in Business. My Delta flight already pushed back as the departure time was 6:10 am, but they had to wait for this flight to also push back.
#1 for departure
View of the cargo area, which is now used for remote gates as well.
View of Santo Domingo, and immediate turn Caribbean bound
Boca Chica
The DR southern coast kissed by the sunrise
Breakfast orders were taken before departure, the options were a ham and cheese sandwich or a dulce de leche french toast. I went with the toast, which was accompanied by a fruit salad. Also ordered Copa's famous guava juice.
Panamanian chocolates were distributed after breakfast
Lavatory shot
Initial descent into PTY. Caribbean coast
Pacific coast
Panamá landings are stunning
Ships lining up to navigate through the Panama Canal
View of the Miraflores lock, the Pacific gate to the Panama Canal and the closest to the city
Landing with a nice view of Panama’s skyscrapers
Arrival
Hello PTY, Copa’s home
737s in all varieties
My next ride to BWI
Arrival at Gate 144, very close to my next flight’s gate
Last view of the Business Class cabin
Deplaning
Connecting flights
On my way to T2
Closer view of my next ride
Beautiful T2
Had some time for a quick bite so stopped by the Copa Club
Thanks for reading. See you at the next flight to BWI.
Great views of PTY on landing, thanks for sharing!
Thanks. The sky was clear, so the view was even nicer than usual!
Thanks for this look at every lounge in SDQ! It seems the majority are unremarkable, except for the Sky and Amex lounges, which both look quite nice.
The cabins on Copa's 737-700s are starting to look old. I believe the 700s are the only aircraft in the fleet with no in-seat power or any form of IFE. I assume they won't update the cabins as they'll likely retire the remaining 700s soon, but at least the seats look comfortable.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Originally this flight was supposed to be on a 737Max, then downgraded to 738, then to 737-700. While I can’t complain about Copa’s efficiency and on-time performance, they swap equipments more often than other other airlines to adjust for capacity.