Heading for Rio - September 27>October 6. 2025

[Mavica]

I've pulled the trigger on a decent airfare from Tampa, FL to Rio de Janeiro, arriving September 27, leaving October 6.  It's been a while since my last visit.  🙂 I haven't booked a room yet but it'll likely to be in Flamengo or Catete. Anyone around then, maybe we can meet.  Otherwise, anything I should know that hasn't already been posted on this forum (visa issues?), I'll appreciate a heads-up.  Thank you. 

[floridarob]

I leave SP on the 25th to Boston...almost 🤷‍♂️

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

I leave SP on the 25th to Boston...almost 🤷‍♂️

I'm flying COPA, for the first time.  Anything out of the ordinary I should know?  Thanks.

[floridarob]

Business or Economy?
Copa runs an all-737 fleet. In Business Class, it’s 2x2 lie-flat seating; in Economy, it’s the usual 3x3, which can get uncomfortable on longer flights. Service is generally punctual (weather permitting). Meals are basic in both cabins — nothing to rave about — but they do serve guayaba-pineapple juice, which I like a lot.

The crews are usually young, professional, and friendly. You’ll probably be one of the few gringos onboard.

Flights to Southern South America often arrive and depart at odd hours, so plan ahead with hotel check-ins and check-outs. I’m heading to Argentina on Copa this Tuesday in Business; if you buy early, their fares are usually very reasonable.

Connections in Panama (PTY):
Panama is an easy hub to connect through, but if you arrive in one terminal and depart from the other, be ready for a long walk. Hopefully your gates are close.

Lounge & Airport Notes:
The Copa Club is large, with free drinks, but the food options are weak — mostly bread, not much protein. PTY has plenty of duty-free shops, and if you’re buying cologne, try negotiating; sometimes they’ll “remember” a promotion.

Also, PTY has a lot of hot passengers passing through — soccer teams, gymnastics teams, etc. — so plenty of eye candy if you like people-watching.

For check-in and Brazil immigration don’t forget to print out two copies of your visa, one Brasil immigration supposed to keep the other is for you.

Did I leave anything out?

[Mavica]

34 minutes ago, floridarob said:

Did I leave anything out?

Thank you for the responses. You didn't leave anything out.

[Xclay]

7 hours ago, floridarob said:

Copa runs an all-737 fleet. In Business Class, it’s 2x2 lie-flat seating.

Good Copa summary, but...
I've never been so lucky as to get lie-flat seating on Copa and, without it, the slight recline on a red-eye make the value of business class questionable. 

Yes, all of Copa's 737-MAX 9 (“Dreams” Business Class) planes do have lie-flat seats.

However, Copa's 737-800 aircraft only have poor recliners in business class. Copa's 737-MAX 8 planes are better than the 737-800s, but its BC seats do not lie-flat either.

According to ChatGPT, Copa is usually using MAX-9 on its flights to Rio (GIG); São Paulo (GRU); and Florianópolis (FLN).

No evidence of MAX-9 deployment on Copa's flights to Belo Horizonte (CNF); Brasília (BSB); Manaus (MAO); and Porto Alegre (POA).

[floridarob]

Their seatmap online will show if that flight has eDreams seats in Business or not

[chicobalto]

I'll be there september 25 to october 1st

First time ever in Río. Didnt booked a place neither 😂 but let's see how it turns out

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, chicobalto said:

I'll be there september 25 to october 1st

First time ever in Río. Didnt booked a place neither 😂 but let's see how it turns out

Let's keep in touch before heading to Rio, maybe we can meet up.