News

It just got a lot easier to fly to Panama City from central Texas. Copa Airlines is launching direct service to Austin, starting July 6.

Flights will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing Panama at 9:18 and arriving at AUS at 14:04. The return flight will operate on the same days, departing AUS at 15:34 and arriving back in Panama at 20:16, Simple Flying reports.

This is the first time Copa has offered direct flights to and from the Texas capital, the Live Music Capital of the World, one of the hippest and fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Many of the world’s biggest tech companies have major operations in the Austin area, including Dell and Tesla. And it’s a perfect fit with Panama City’s growing technology, real estate, and arts scene.

Beyond Austin, the flights will connect Panama directly with central Texas, including San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country. 

“Incorporating this new route represents a window of opportunities to increase commerce, tourism, and cultural and educational exchanges between the state capital of Texas, Panama, and our entire region,” said Copa Airlines‘ Vice President of Global Sales and Distribution Christophe Didier. “We’re pleased to offer greater connectivity to our passengers and contribute to the growth of tourism and commerce in Panama and the countries we serve.”

This is also big news for Austin, which understands the importance of linking with the “Hub of the Americas.”

“This exciting announcement has been years in the making,” said Jacqueline Yaft, Executive Director and CEO at AUS airport. “We are thrilled to welcome Copa Airlines to Austin, Texas, and cannot wait for Austinites and Central Texas to discover the gem of Panama City, Panama, a destination rich in culture, history, and community. AUS is proud to bring more convenient options for connecting Central Texas to Central and South America.”

Copa now serves 16 destinations in the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco, and Washington.