Copa Airlines on September 20, 2018 put its new Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 (above) into revenue service.
The first route from the Panama City hub was to Tampa.
The new type was introduced to San Francisco (pictured top) came the next day on September 21.
The airline issued this statement:
Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S. A., and member of the global Star Alliance network, began its new MAX Era with the first commercial flight of its modern Boeing MAX 9, which departed September 20 from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama to Tampa, United States (below).
The passengers aboard this flight were the first to experience the comfort, convenience and sustainability of the MAX 9, which elevates the airline’s daily world-class service.
“This first flight marks the beginning of a new era for Copa Airlines. We are very proud to have the latest Boeing technology available to our passengers. The MAX 9 means more efficiency in our operations and greater comfort for our passengers, but, above all, it represents a symbol of development and growth that motivates us to continue innovating and promote Panama as a powerhouse of the industry,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.
The inaugural flight of Copa Airlines’ MAX 9 was the focus of an event held at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, honoring Copa’s new MAX Era. The celebration featured the participation of company executives as well as government officials.
Flight CM393, which departed Panama at 9:10 a.m. and arrived at the Tampa International Airport at 1:35 p.m. (local time), where the vessel was greeted with a traditional water salute. After a ceremony with airport authorities and Copa Airlines executives, flight CM394 departed from Tampa at 3:24 p.m., arriving at the Tocumen International Airport at 5:48 p.m. (local time).
“The MAX 9 embodies Copa Airlines’ commitment to continuously improve, seeking to offer our passengers a more comfortable and convenient flight experience. We are proud to have one of the most modern aircraft in the industry as part of our fleet, which will allow us to be more efficient, more environmentally friendly and transport more passengers to our farthest destinations,” said Pedro Herrera, Copa Airlines Director of Flight Operations.
The MAX 9’s first commercial flight allowed its passengers to enjoy for the first time the new and modern Business Class Dreams, with 16 lie-flat seats. Each seat has a 16-inch touch screen with remote control power and USB connectors, and two compartments for storing personal items.
Passengers aboard the new Economy Extra and Economy class enjoyed a renewed experience thanks to newly redesigned modern and stylish Meridian seats, power connectors and USB ports, as well as compartments for storing personal items. In addition, Economy Extra passengers will benefit from more legroom and priority status when boarding their flight.
In addition to the comfort and convenience offered by the MAX 9, sustainability is another differentiating factor of this aircraft, thanks to the incorporation of the most advanced and silent engine in the world, the LEAP-1B, and aerodynamically updated AT winglets (located at the ends of wings), which improve fuel consumption by 14% and reduce emission of polluting gases by 50%.
The new MAX 9, officially presented on September 18 in Panama, is the first of the five aircraft of its class that the airline will receive between October and December of this year, which will operate on the airline’s longest routes starting with San Francisco in December 2019.
The pictured HP-9901CMP was delivered on August 31, 2018.
Top Copyright Photo (all others by Copa Airlines): Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9901CMP (msn 44161) SFO (Mark Durbin). Image: 943609.
Copa Airlines aircraft slide show:
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