This summer, travelers from Austin will have a new choice for going to Latin America.
The Star Alliance carrier Copa Airlines intends to begin nonstop service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Panama Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, adding a 15th U.S. route.
Passengers can now connect from Austin to 55 cities in Latin America using Copa's "Hub of the Americas" at PTY.
Flights are already offered by Copa, a Panama City-based airline, from destinations including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
Recently, the airline made the announcement that on June 28, nonstop flights would start operating between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Panama City.
Because Copa is a Star Alliance member, customers can accrue and redeem points with any of the 26 participating airlines, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air Canada.
Additionally, travelers who have Star Alliance Gold membership can benefit from privileges like priority boarding and access to airport lounges.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the national airline of Panama will fly four times per week from Austin.
Flights will leave Panama at 9:18 in the morning and land in Austin at 2:04 in the afternoon.
Returning aircraft will leave Austin at 3:34 PM and touch down in Panama at 8:16 PM.
The new service also contributes to the expansion of Austin's airport, which has recently become one of the country's hottest aviation markets.
There, schedules for airlines like American Airlines, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines have all aggressively expanded.
Several foreign airlines have also added well-known new flights there, including KLM and Virgin Atlantic.
The CEO of AUS, Jacqueline Yaft, released a statement saying, "This wonderful development has been years in the making."
"This route will boost the economy and tourism for a long time to come."
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