Carrier Adds Four 737-800s To Fleet

Panama's Copa Airlines placed an order this week for four Boeing 737-800 airplanes, in a deal valued at approximately $282 million at list prices. The order brings to 34 the number of Next-Generation 737s Copa has ordered.

"Copa Airlines continues to validate the technology and economics of the Next-Generation 737 by providing passengers with innovative route options and increased flight frequencies using the 737," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President, Sales, for Latin America and the Caribbean, John Wojick. "Flying out of Panama with the Next-Generation 737s, Copa is able to provide passengers with flights where they want to go, nonstop."

Copa now operates 24 Next-Generation 737s, with ten - including those announced Wednesday -- remaining to be delivered.

"This new order reinforces our commitment to our passengers by allowing us to continue expanding through additional frequencies and destinations, offering our passengers the most comfortable and convenient options for travel between the most important Latin American cities" said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.

Copa was the first carrier in the Americas to incorporate blended-winglets on the 737-700. All of its Next-Generation 737s use the distinctive curved wing ends, which Boeing says improve fuel efficiency and lift while reducing engine wear and carbon dioxide emissions. Copa also was the first in the region to order its planes with the Vertical Situation Display (VSD) system, which provides pilots with an easy-to-understand flight-path view.

Copa operates from Tocumen International Airport, on long routes between the United States, South and Central America, and the Caribbean. It flies four of the world's longest 737 routes from there -- to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Sao Paulo and Los Angeles.

FMI: www.copaair.com, www.boeing.com