Hello from Panama! I’ve just wrapped up a long night of flying that brought me here via a unique mix of carriers. After flying Boliviana de Aviación’s A330 business class from Miami to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, I connected onto GOL’s 737 MAX premium economy to São Paulo, before finally boarding Copa Airlines’ 737 MAX business class for the six-hour overnight flight to Panama City. The final leg departed at a rather punishing 3:10 AM—but it gave me the opportunity to finally try Copa’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 business class, the only aircraft in their fleet equipped with flat beds.
I’d tried to fly this product a few years ago, only to be thwarted by a last-minute aircraft swap. That detour resulted in me reviewing not one but two versions of Copa’s 737-800 business class. So, this flight had been a long time coming, and I was eager to see how the “Dreams” business class experience would stack up.
Copa markets its 737 MAX 9 business class under the “Dreams” label, which sounds more premium than it feels in reality. The plane features either three or four rows of business class in a 2-2 configuration, and mine had three rows—generally better for service flow and bathroom access, though those benefits are modest in practice. Copa uses Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, which are fully flat but don’t offer direct aisle access for all passengers. The finishes on the seats are tasteful, and the cabin design is clean, though there’s very little privacy between seats. If your seatmate wants to stay up while you sleep—or vice versa—it’s hard to avoid each other’s presence.
That said, the seat did its job: I managed to get a decent stretch of sleep in my window seat, though sheer exhaustion likely helped. The bedding certainly contributed to my comfort. Copa provides a plush pillow and thick blanket, which made it easier to settle in for rest. Another small plus: the personal air vents allowed me to regulate the temperature, which I always appreciate on long flights.
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Copa also hands out amenity kits on these long-haul MAX flights—think southern South America, the U.S. West Coast, or the Northeast. The kits are modest but well-designed, with playful cloud graphics on the socks and eyeshades. It’s worth noting that if you happen to fly a 737 MAX 9 on a shorter route, like to Miami, you won’t get these extras.
As for in-flight entertainment, Copa’s offering is passable. There were about 90 movies and 60 TV shows available through the seatback screens, plus the flight map. However, there’s still no Wi-Fi on these jets, which was tolerable given the flight’s early morning timing, but would be frustrating during a daytime trip.
The service and catering were where the experience started to show real cracks. Copa’s onboard service is, to put it mildly, minimal. There were no printed menus, and the first “meal” after takeoff consisted of a cardboard snack box. Inside? A bland vegetable and cheese sandwich and a piece of banana bread. It was more reminiscent of an economy-class offering than anything business class should serve.
Breakfast before landing didn’t redeem the earlier impression. The options were scrambled eggs or waffles. I went with the eggs, served with what might’ve been turkey bacon and some sliced pumpkin, alongside fruit and a plain white roll. It looked unappetizing and tasted even less impressive. Even the coffee fell flat—Copa doesn’t offer milk onboard, just powdered creamer, which made the already underwhelming beverage feel like an afterthought.
The cabin crew didn’t help much either. While not unfriendly, the service was purely transactional. There was no pre-departure welcome, no personal engagement, and no refills unless you asked. The flight attendant showed up after takeoff to distribute the snack and drinks, and then again before landing for breakfast. Otherwise, there was no cabin presence at all.
So where does this leave Copa’s business class overall? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re comparing it to the flagship long-haul business class products of other major airlines, Copa falls short—no question. But Copa doesn’t exactly try to play in that league. The airline has carved out a niche as the “Icelandair of the Americas,” offering an extensive network throughout the region with short, convenient connections in Panama City. They’re known for their reliability, and pricing—both cash fares and award redemptions—often significantly undercuts competitors.
For that reason, I wouldn’t hesitate to fly Copa again, especially on overnight flights where getting rest is the top priority. If you’re lucky enough to snag a business class seat for under $1,000 between South and North America, it can be a smart choice. That’s especially true if you’re flying with a companion, since the 2-2 layout is far more tolerable when you know the person beside you.
But there’s definitely room for improvement. Better meals, Wi-Fi access, and more attentive service would go a long way. That said, those upgrades might not align with Copa’s business model. Passengers aren’t choosing Copa for a luxury experience—they’re booking for convenience, pricing, and the reach of the network.
I’m glad I finally had the chance to fly Copa’s 737 MAX “Dreams” business class. For a narrow-body aircraft, having a flat bed and quality bedding is a win. Beyond that, the experience was barebones, with lackluster catering, limited entertainment, and indifferent service. Still, if the price and timing make sense, Copa’s business class can be a good value—especially if rest is your priority and expectations are kept in check.
