You Can Fly Nonstop To Panama From This California City For The First Time Ever

There’s exciting news for California travelers looking to put their passports to use!

Long gone are the days of making the treacherous drive to LA for financial and convenience’s sake, since the rest of Southern California lacks international reach.

After years in the making, Copa Airlines, Panama’s prestigious flagship carrier, was finally granted the green light to make history, as San Diegans like me can now fly direct to Panama for the first time ever.

With so many San Diego beaches polluted with bacteria right now, it’s all the more reason to go ‘splorin’ this summer!

Copa Airlines gives Southern Californians the chance to not only visit Panama, but also connect to nearly 50 Latin American/Caribbean destinations that were not as easily accessible before.

Before Copa’s inaugural flight on June 25th, San Diego (SAN) only served 10 international destinations, and 6 of those are in North America.

Copa’s entry into San Diego is massive news. As an avid traveler, allow me to explain why…

Deuces, Tijuana & LA! ✌️

The fact that there are multiple shuttle services catering to travelers from San Diego to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) shows you the need for international flights.

Copa is the answer…for now. As you may have heard, SAN’s much-needed glow-up is almost complete.

There’s no official news if new airlines or destinations will be added to the revamped terminal, but Copa is undoubtedly leading the charge for more adventures.

As wild as it may sound to outsiders, a majority of San Diegans cross the border into Tijuana to fly to popular destinations such as Cancun or Mexico City, typically on no-frills airlines (although Volaris now offers $1 Wi-Fi).

The point being that crossing the border can be a real headache, even with the one-of-a-kind loophole, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX).

Rates seem to go up every year for what’s essentially an express pass to go through customs without actually setting foot in Mexico since Tijuana’s airport quite literally hugs the controversial “wall”.

With common break-ins for free street parkers, expensive parking rates for the on-site lot, and hefty CBX fees, you’re easily spending triple digits before you even get the chance to convince customs you’re not a smuggler.

In other words: thank you, Copa!

Hello, Panama! 🇵🇦

Circling back to why Copa’s new flight is such a draw, one of many reasons this particular route excited me was the opportunity to explore Panama, an under-hyped country that completely blew my mind with its captivating culture, phenomenal food, and undiscovered Caribbean paradises.

I was fortunate enough to score a seat on the inaugural flight, which drew immense fanfare. So much so San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria made an appearance.

After chatting with him for a moment, it was clear he understood the magnitude of this event. Perhaps the biggest reason is how connected Panama is to the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Panama’s Stopover Program

The passengers next to me were off to Costa Rica. Had they known about Panama’s Stopover program, they could’ve double-dipped two countries for the price of one.

There’s no additional cost to extend your stay between when you have a layover in Panama as long as it’s between 24 hours and 7 days.

I highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to explore Panama’s wild side, or take a walking tour of Casco Viejo, the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Panama City with vibrant, timeless structures at every turn — Ancon Expeditions is who I used (they are an official partner of Copa’s Stopover program).

5-star Hotel La Compañia (a Hyatt brand) is also a partner. This is where I stayed and couldn’t have possibly loved it any more.

This historic property makes a perfect base with centuries-old world wonders at your doorstep and 2 rooftop bars offering sweeping city views.

Copa Airlines Is Safe, Punctual, And Comfortable ✈️

If there’s one thing I become too preachy about in the travel world, it’s that travelers are often too loyal to their favorite metallic birds, to the point of becoming alarmed at the idea of trying any airline they’ve never heard of before.

While Copa is a major player in Latin America, some Americans may not be familiar, so here’s a few comforting facts:

• Certified as a 3-star airline
• One of the world’s safest airlines, according to Airline Ratings
• The ‘Most Punctual Airline in Latin America (89.46% on-time arrivals)

Downsides for Copa Airlines:

• Alcoholic beverages were not available in Economy seating for this route
• Wifi is only offered for Copa Showpass

Travel Tip: Before venturing off to Panama or any of Copa’s connections, check out our new Entry Requirement Checker to avoid any hiccups!