Copa Airlines marks its 75th anniversary with a special retro livery on a Boeing 737-800 NG, recreating the airline’s look from the 1990s. That era saw Copa expand its network and establish Panama City as the Hub of the Americas®, shaping air travel and connections across the continent.
Over 30 Copa employees — including painters, designers and engineers — collaborated at the Copa Airlines Maintenance Center at Tocumen International Airport to repaint the 737-800 NG. The transformation required more than 2,500 hours of work spanning 15 days.
After a public unveiling on Aug. 31, the commemorative retro livery departed Panama City for New York and now operates across Copa’s route network, serving more than 76 destinations in 32 countries throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
The airline also celebrated in Miami with a special event featuring the commemorative design and received a traditional water cannon salute, honoring Miami as Copa’s first U.S. route and its largest U.S. operation.
© Copa Airlines
Copa’s history began in 1947 when it launched as the national airline of Panama operating Douglas DC-3/C47 aircraft to three cities. The carrier grew steadily through the 1960s and 1970s and shifted toward international expansion in the 1980s. In 1992, Copa began developing Tocumen International Airport as the Hub of the Americas®, a strategy that has supported the airline’s continued growth leading to this 75th anniversary.
This year Tocumen International Airport also welcomed important upgrades tied to Copa’s operations, including a new Copa Club lounge and the relocation of all Copa services to the modern Terminal 2.
The new Copa Club reflects Panama’s culture and heritage while offering more than 20,000 square feet of comfortable seating, quiet areas, soft lighting, leather seating, family entertainment space, bar and culinary options, and spacious shower facilities. “La Placita,” a courtyard-style terrace with airport views, adds a local touch. The Copa Club is located across from gate 207 in Terminal 2.
© Copa Airlines
Terminal 2 strengthens Tocumen’s role as the Hub of the Americas® with a modern layout that supports Copa’s operations: 38 passenger and baggage check-in counters and 22 self-service kiosks provide efficient processing for travelers. Copa remains committed to delivering high-quality service while connecting passengers through Panama to destinations worldwide.
Onboard, Copa continues to offer a full-service experience with food, beverages and a variety of in-flight entertainment options. For longer flights, passengers can choose from a selection of movies and music channels, and use the Copa Showpass system to stream entertainment to their personal devices.
Copa operates a modern, efficient fleet composed of Boeing 737-800 NG and Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and has been recognized by Cirium as “The Most Punctual Airline in Latin America” for the eighth consecutive year.
Traveling with Copa brings passengers into the heart of Panamanian culture. As the airline celebrates 75 years, it looks ahead to continued growth and service for the next decades.
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