News

Copa Airlines is adding another major city to its network of direct connections in the United States.

This week, the airline announced the launch of direct flights from San Diego, “America’s Finest City,” beginning June 25. San Diego is Copa Airlines‘ third destination in California and its 17th U.S. route.

The latest route unlocks one of California’s most prosperous regions and a perfect partner for Panama. San Diego is home to large military bases and a wealthy retirement population. Until this flight, travelers had to route through Los Angeles or Houston to reach Panama or cross the border to fly out of Tijuana’s airport.

Copa expects the new route will grow tourism and business between the regions.

“With the addition of San Diego, we enhance connectivity between Southern California and Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, fostering tourism and commercial exchange across the continent,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “This new connection will allow more travelers to comfortably and reliably access one of the most dynamic cities in the United States while integrating them into Latin America’s most extensive route network through the Hub of the Americas in Panama.”

The new service will include four weekly afternoon and evening flights on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Outbound flights from Tocumen International Airport will leave at  1:16 p.m. (local time) and arrive at San Diego International Airport at 6:15 p.m. (local time); the return flight leaves San Diego at 8:58 p.m. (local time) and arrives in Panama City at 5:20 a.m. (local time).

Copa Airlines now offers direct connections to 86 destinations in 32 countries across North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean through its Hub of the Americas in Panama City. Recent additions included Raleigh-Durham, another fast-growing U.S. region.