Copa Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on Wednesday, July 3rd. The aircraft registration HP-9801CMP left Boeing Field, in Seattle, towards Panama City on a 7:15 hour non-stop flight.

The Panamanian carrier now has a fleet of 100 Boeing 737 jets, 67 of them 737NG (nine 737-700 and 58 737-800) and 32 737 MAX 9, in addition to the only 737 MAX 8.

Copa’s plan is to receive another six 737-8s in the coming months, not counting another 15 737 MAX 10, the largest variant of the narrow-body aircraft, which is still pending certification by the FAA.

Copa Airlines 737 MAX cabin configurations (Copa Airlines)
Copa Airlines 737 MAX cabin configurations (Copa Airlines)

The Copa Airlines 737 MAX 8 is configured with 166 seats in three classes: 16 in Business, 24 in Economy Extra and 126 in Economy.

It is the same capacity as one of the 737 MAX 9 configurations, but the 737-8 offers slightly less passenger comfort.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 (Airbus777)
Copa Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 (Airbus777)

This is because business class does not have as spacious seats while some seats on the 737-9 have greater recline. See seat chart comparison.

One of the first destinations where Copa Airlines will deploy the 737 MAX 8 will be Asunción, Paraguay, with its debut expected in September.