Copa Airlines Boeing 737 jets at Terminal 2 of Tocumen International Airport, Panama City
Airline Guide CM · Star Alliance

Copa Airlines flights through the Hub of the Americas.

Copa Airlines, based in Panama City, connects North America with Central America, South America and the Caribbean through a single, efficient hub. It is often the most direct one-stop option to cities with no nonstop from the U.S.

Find CM fares Booking help · 24/7+1 (855) 447-1880
Airline profile Updated 21 October 2026
IATA / ICAO
CM / CMP
Hub
Tocumen, Panama City (PTY)
Alliance
Star Alliance
Loyalty
ConnectMiles
Cabins
Economy, Business
Founded
1947
Official airline website

Search My Trip is an independent travel agency, not Copa Airlines. We help you compare and book CM flights; check-in, seats and onboard service are handled by the airline.

  • PTYHub of the Americas
  • 1947Year founded
  • 2012Star Alliance member
  • 30+Countries served
01
Why Copa

One stop in Panama to all of Latin America

Copa schedules most flights in banks, so connections in Panama City are usually short. From there it reaches cities in more than 30 countries across the Americas.

PTYSingle hub
30+Countries in the Americas
1–2hTypical connection

Short connections

Arrival and departure banks keep most layovers in Panama brief.

Panama stopover

Many tickets allow a stopover in Panama at no extra airfare.

United partnership

Copa works closely with United, and both are in Star Alliance.

Starlink Wi-Fi

Being added across the fleet — the first Starlink flight was in July 2026.

Why book Copa Airlines with us

  • Stopover checked

    We tell you if your ticket can include a Panama stopover.

  • Secondary cities

    Smaller Latin American cities that U.S. airlines skip — we know the connections.

  • Bag allowance confirmed

    It varies by route and fare family. We check yours before you pay.

  • 24/7 help

    Real people for changes, cancellations and refunds.

02
Routes to watch

Popular Copa Airlines routes

Nonstop from the U.S.
MIAPTY Miami → Panama City ~2h 50m Live fares JFKPTY New York → Panama City ~5h 15m Live fares ORDPTY Chicago → Panama City ~5h 30m Live fares LAXPTY Los Angeles → Panama City ~6h 00m Live fares
From Columbus via Panama
CMHPTY Columbus → Panama City See schedules Live fares CMHBOG Columbus → Bogotá See schedules Live fares CMHLIM Columbus → Lima See schedules Live fares CMHSJO Columbus → San José See schedules Live fares

Flight times are typical scheduled durations and can vary by season. Click a route to see live prices and availability for your dates.

03
How the network works

The Hub of the Americas

PTY Tocumen International Copa hub · Panama City

Almost every Copa flight starts or ends in Panama City. Its location between the continents makes it a natural crossroads for trips between North and South America.

Connections can be under an hour — make sure your bags are checked through to your final destination.

  • Central AmericaEvery country in the region.
  • South AmericaMajor cities plus many secondary cities.
  • CaribbeanCuba, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and more.
  • North AmericaMore than a dozen U.S. cities, Canada and Mexico.
04
Choose your seat

Two cabins on most flights

Copa Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 HP-9903CMP taxiing at New York JFK after a flight from Panama
Copa flies mainly Boeing 737s, including the 737 MAX, with Economy and Business on most routes — useful for longer flights to South America. A Copa 737 MAX 9 at New York JFK, arriving from Panama City. Photo: Adam Moreira, CC BY-SA 4.0
Standard

Economy

  • Fare types from Basic to Full
  • Snacks or meals depending on flight length
  • Seat selection on most fares
Front cabin

Business

  • Larger recliner seat
  • Copa Club lounge in Panama
  • Priority check-in and boarding
  • Larger bag allowance
05
Pack right

Copa Airlines baggage at a glance

Carry-on1 bag plus a personal item 10 kg
Basic faresBags can be added for a fee No checked bag
Economy, other faresVaries by route and fare Usually 1 × 23 kg
BusinessHigher weight limit Usually 2 bags

Copa's allowances depend on fare family and route. Check your booking before you fly.

06
ConnectMiles

Star Alliance status from Panama

ConnectMiles members earn miles on Copa and Star Alliance partners, including United. Higher tiers bring Star Alliance Silver or Gold benefits.

  1. 1 Silver Star Alliance Silver
  2. 2 Gold Star Alliance Gold
  3. 3 Platinum Star Alliance Gold
  4. 4 Presidential Platinum Top tier

Tier names, requirements and benefits are set by Copa Airlines and can change.

07
From our travel desk

Tips for cheaper Copa Airlines fares

  1. Add a Panama stopover

    Many fares allow a stop of several days in Panama at no extra airfare.

  2. Use Copa for secondary cities

    For smaller Latin American cities, Copa is often the shortest one-stop option.

  3. Compare fare families

    Basic fares exclude checked bags — check what you need.

  4. Check bags through

    Short Panama connections work best with bags checked to your final city.

  5. Add your ConnectMiles number

    Or a United MileagePlus number — add it when booking.

Your CM ticket in four steps

  1. Step 1 Search

    Enter your cities and dates and filter the results to Copa Airlines.

  2. Step 2 Compare

    See fares, stops and cabins side by side with taxes shown up front.

  3. Step 3 Add details

    Enter traveller names exactly as on ID and add your ConnectMiles number.

  4. Step 4 Fly

    Get your confirmation by email, then check in with Copa Airlines before you fly.

08
Good to know

Copa Airlines FAQs

Is Search My Trip the same as Copa Airlines?
No. Search My Trip is an independent travel agency. We help you search, compare and book Copa Airlines flights, but we are not owned by or affiliated with the airline.
Can I visit Panama on a layover?
Yes. Copa's Panama Stopover program lets many passengers stay in Panama for several days at no extra airfare. Taxes may apply.
Do I need a visa to connect in Panama?
Usually not if you stay in the airport, but rules depend on your passport. Check before you travel.
Which alliance is Copa in?
Star Alliance, since 2012. It also works closely with United.
How long are connections in Panama?
Often one to two hours, because Copa schedules flights in connecting banks.
Does Copa have Wi-Fi?
Copa began flying with Starlink satellite Wi-Fi in July 2026 and is fitting it across the fleet, with completion planned for the first half of 2027. Until then, not every aircraft has it.
Can I book Copa Airlines over the phone?
Yes. Our travel experts can help you compare fares, connections and bag allowances and book for you. Call +1 (855) 447-1880 any time — we're available 24/7. You can also book directly on the airline's own website.
Talk to an expert

Flying Copa via Panama?

Tell us your dates and final city — we will check connections, stopover options and fare families and find the best option.

+1 (855) 447-1880

Search My Trip is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Copa Airlines. Airline names and programme names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe the flights we help you book. Airline policies change, so always confirm details with the airline before you travel. Last updated 21 October 2026.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized: Wilfredor (CC0); Adam Moreira (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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