Copa Airlines is Panama's flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, operating from its "Hub of the Americas" at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City. Copa's unique geographic position makes it one of the most efficient connectors between North America and Central America, South America, and the Caribbean — often with just a single stop. FaresMatch advisors can compare Copa fares and help you find the best routing for your Latin America or Caribbean trip.
Trending Copa fares
One-way starting prices on popular Copa routes. Search above for live availability.
Panama CityShoulder seasonMIA → PTYMiami – Panama City- Flight time
- 2h 45m nonstop
- Airlines
- Copa
$149
BogotaFall travelPTY → BOGPanama City – Bogota- Flight time
- 1h 30m nonstop
- Airlines
- Copa
$99
LimaBook earlyPTY → LIMPanama City – Lima- Flight time
- 3h nonstop
- Airlines
- Copa
$149
HavanaWinter travelPTY → HAVPanama City – Havana- Flight time
- 2h 30m nonstop
- Airlines
- Copa
$119
Buenos AiresSpring travelJFK → EZENew York – Buenos Aires- Flight time
- via PTY
- Airlines
- Copa
$380
Costa RicaMidweek dealMIA → SJOMiami – San Jose- Flight time
- via PTY
- Airlines
- Copa
$129
Top Copa Airlines routes
Panama City's Tocumen Airport sits at the geographic center of the Americas, making one-stop connections between North America and South America remarkably short — often under 5 total flying hours from the U.S. East Coast to Colombia or Peru.
Panama City to Havana
MIA → PTY Miami to Panama City
Copa's busiest U.S. gateway — multiple daily nonstops between Miami and Tocumen, with wide onward connections.
JFK → PTY New York to Panama City
Direct service from JFK to Panama City with easy same-day connections to most of South America.
PTY → BOG/MDE Panama City to Colombia
Copa's most popular South America connections — Bogota and Medellin are both short hops from PTY.
PTY → LIM Panama City to Lima
Short, efficient connection to Peru — Copa's PTY hub makes Lima one of the easiest South American cities to reach from the U.S.
PTY → GIG/GRU Panama City to Brazil
Copa connects Panama City to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, providing an alternative to direct U.S.–Brazil routes.
PTY → HAV Panama City to Havana
Copa's Havana service is one of the more convenient routes into Cuba for U.S.-based travelers routing through Panama.
Tips for booking cheap Copa flights
Panama City's central location means connections are fast — often just 1 to 2 hours — and the airport is efficient and modern. For U.S.–South America trips, Copa's routing can be significantly shorter than competing one-stop itineraries via Miami or Bogota.
Copa's best fares on U.S.–Latin America routes tend to appear 6 to 12 weeks before departure. Holiday periods (Christmas, Carnival, Easter) book up early — plan 3 to 5 months ahead for peak travel.
Copa is a Star Alliance member, so United MileagePlus members and other Star Alliance frequent flyers can earn and redeem miles on Copa flights — useful for U.S. travelers who fly United domestically.
Entry requirements vary widely across South America. Confirm your visa status for both Panama (the transit country) and your final destination before booking. Most U.S. citizens do not require a transit visa in Panama.
Frequently asked questions
What alliance is Copa Airlines part of?
Copa Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance. This gives Copa passengers earning and redemption opportunities on United Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA, and over 40 other member carriers.
Do I need a visa for Panama when transiting with Copa?
Most U.S., Canadian, and EU citizens do not require a visa to transit through Panama City Tocumen Airport. However, requirements can change. Always check the latest entry requirements for Panama before booking, especially if you hold a non-U.S. passport.
Does Copa Airlines include checked bags?
Copa's standard fares on most routes include one checked bag. Economy Basic fares on some routes may have a carry-on-only allowance. Business Class fares include two checked bags. Confirm your fare's bag allowance at the time of booking.
What is Copa's frequent flyer program?
Copa Airlines uses ConnectMiles as its loyalty program. Members earn miles on Copa flights and with Star Alliance and partner airlines, redeemable for flights and upgrades. Elite tiers — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — unlock priority services and bonus miles.
Is Copa Airlines safe and reliable?
Yes — Copa Airlines has a strong safety record and is consistently rated as one of the top airlines in Latin America. It operates a modern Boeing 737 MAX and 737-800 fleet with a solid on-time performance record, particularly impressive given the volume of connections through its Panama hub.
Book your Copa Airlines flight today
Traveling to Latin America, the Caribbean, or South America? A FaresMatch advisor will compare Copa fares with all available routing options — including direct and one-stop alternatives — to find you the fastest and cheapest itinerary.