Summary

  • Copa Airlines marks 20 years of NYC flights, having started operations in 2004.
  • The airline recently expanded US network with the Raleigh-Durham service and increased frequency to Tampa.
  • Copa Airlines operates a fleet of all Boeing 737 airplanes, with 97 active aircraft in total.

Panama’s flag carrier, Copa Airlines, recently celebrated the milestone of flying to New York City for two decades. The airline connects its hub at Panama City with various destinations in the US, and New York JFK Airport is an important part of that network.

20 years in New York

Copa Airlines celebrated 20 years of nonstop service to New York City and marked the event along with JFKIAT, which operates New York John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 4.

Copa Airlines New York JFK

Photo: Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines started flying to and from the New York area on June 17, 2004, and this year has completed two decades of that service. It flies to JFK’s Terminal 4, connecting its hub at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City with three daily flights. From there, the airline’s passengers have the option of flying to 85 destinations in 32 countries on the airline’s network. David DeFossey, Regional Commercial Manager, North America at Copa Airlines, commented,

“We are very proud of our 20-year commitment to providing meaningful and seamless connections for millions of passengers, bringing families, friends, and travelers to their favorite destinations. Reflecting on the past two decades, Copa Airlines remains dedicated to supporting the economic and tourism growth of New York City. We eagerly anticipate continuing our journey of connecting travelers with the vibrant cultures of the Americas and major cities throughout Latin America and beyond.”

A blend of different cultures, New York City is also home to a significant Latin American community, and Copa Airlines is ideally positioned to continue serving this diverse and growing population.

Several Copa Airlines Boeing 737 on the apron in Panama City.

Photo: Gualberto Becerra | Shutterstock

Copa Airlines’ US network

Copa Airlines has a vast network in the United States that continues to evolve according to market demand. The airline recently started nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, marking its 16th destination in the US, and also increased its service to Tampa, Florida, from six times weekly to daily.

According to data by Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Copa Airlines has more than 2,200 return flights to and from the US in July to destinations including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Baltimore, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Washington Dulles, New York JFK, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Raleigh/Durham, San Francisco, San Juan, and Tampa. Simple Flying’s Lead US journalist also reviewed Copa Airlines’ first flight from Raliegh/Durham to Panama City in the article below.

Related

Flight Review: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 Inaugural Service From Raleigh/Durham To Panama City

The first flight from North Carolina to the Hub of the Americas was pleasant and swift, with minimal wait times on both ends of the journey.

All Boeing 737 fleet

Copa Airlines flies to 32 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean and carries out these services with a fleet of all Boeing 737 airplanes. Per ch-aviation, the carrier has a total of 97 active airplanes in its fleet, comprising nine Boeing 737-700, 56 B737-800, and 32 B737 MAX 9.

Copa Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

The carrier was also affected by the grounding of the 737 MAX 9 aircraft following the Alaska Airlines blowout incident in January and had to ground its MAX fleet until it was deemed safe to fly them again. It also sought “fair compensation” from Boeing for the grounding, according to airline executives during an earnings call earlier this year.

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