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LATAM Airlines vs Copa Airlines

A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at LATAM Airlines (LA) and Copa Airlines (CM) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.

Head-to-Head Comparison

LATAM Airlines
Copa Airlines
Country
Chile
Panama
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
LA
CM
Regulatory Authority
DGAC
DGAC
First Officer Salary
$40,000 - $80,000
$50,000 - $90,000
Captain Salary
$100,000 - $180,000
$120,000 - $200,000
Fleet
Airbus A319/320/321, Boeing 767/777/787
Boeing 737 MAX

Requirements Comparison

LATAM Airlines

  • DGAC ATPL or ICAO equivalent
  • 1,500+ hours total
  • Class 1 medical
  • Spanish and/or Portuguese proficiency

Copa Airlines

  • DGAC ATPL or ICAO equivalent
  • 1,500+ hours
  • Class 1 medical
  • Spanish and English proficiency

Pros & Cons

LATAM Airlines

Pros

  • +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
  • +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed

Copa Airlines

Pros

  • +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed

About Each Airline

LATAM Airlines

Latin America's largest airline group, LATAM operates across South America with international routes to North America, Europe, and Oceania.

Full LATAM Airlines career guide →

Copa Airlines

Panama's flagship carrier and a Star Alliance member, Copa connects the Americas through its Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International.

Full Copa Airlines career guide →

Calculate Your Salary

Model your earning potential at LATAM Airlines or Copa Airlines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.

Salary Calculator

Test Your Knowledge

Study DGAC theory questions with our free interactive quiz.

Practice Quiz