You Can Now Fly Nonstop From San Diego to Panama — And Connect to the Caribbean

Aircraft landing at San Diego, California, USA
The first touchdown happened just after 6 p.m., golden light washing over the tarmac at San Diego International Airport. Copa Airlines has officially launched its new nonstop service between Panama City and San Diego, opening a new gateway between Southern California and 86 destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean. The new route is more than a schedule expansion—it’s a strategic connection that will drive tourism and business growth between two dynamic regions.

“The launch of this new route strengthens our destination network and expands travel options for our passengers, reaffirming Copa’s commitment to efficiency, punctuality, and the high service standards that set us apart,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “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. 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.”

This is Copa’s third California destination, following Los Angeles and San Francisco, and its 17th route to the U.S.—underscoring the airline’s growing presence in the North American market. The new San Diego-Panama City route operates four times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—departing Tocumen International Airport at 1:16 p.m. and arriving in San Diego at 6:15 p.m. The return flight departs San Diego at 8:58 p.m., arriving in Panama at 5:20 a.m. the next morning. That means travelers in Southern California now have direct, convenient access to the Caribbean—without long layovers or multiple connections. Destinations like Aruba, Curaçao, Montego Bay, and Saint Lucia are all a single stop away.

“We are thrilled to welcome Copa Airlines to San Diego International Airport and celebrate this exciting new nonstop service to Panama City,” said Kimberly Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This route will boost opportunities for business and leisure travel to Central and South America like never before. We look forward to a successful partnership with Copa.” The move opens up San Diego for another way to connect to Copa’s broad mix of destinations within the Caribbean region. And for those traveling the other way, San Diego offers a vibrant mix of beach, culture, and heritage—from the historic Hotel del Coronado to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo to the colorful food stalls of Old Town.