Fly to Panama from Atlanta, LA, NY and other cities from $252 nonstop

There is a big sale on flights to Panama happening now. It's a great time to plan a visit to the Central American country and enjoy its beaches and lush rainforests. This deal involves nonstop airfare from several U.S. departure cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and New York City as low as $252 roundtrip.

There are lots of regular economy fares to Panama in this sale, which means you'll get a free checked bag as part of the ticket. That's a nice bonus. That won't apply to the cheapest fares on United or Copa, where upgrading to check a bag will cost you up to $90 roundtrip. So be sure to double-check before you book and see what checking a bag will cost you if you plan to bring one. It's a big consideration when choosing an airline.

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Thanks to Scott’s Cheap Flights for tipping us off to this deal. Its Premium membership is available for $49 per year, while the Elite tier option is available for $199 per year. The latter offers access to deals on premium economy, business- and first-class tickets.

As always, if you are flexible with your plans, it will typically help you find better prices.

Deal basics

Airlines: American Airlines, Copa, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
Routes: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York and other cities to Panama.
How to book: Search Google Flights and book directly with the airline.
Travel dates: Best availability from September through mid-November 2022, and January through May 2023.

Related: Exploring Panama during a mileage run

Sample flights

You can fly nonstop from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in October on Copa for only $252 roundtrip. It's an economy ticket, which means you'll have to pay extra for checked luggage. Still, that's a great price for this route in the fall.

The same price is available for this route in March.

Copa also has great availability from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Panama. We found lots of nonstop fares for less than $300 roundtrip, like this spring deal.

Delta has the same route from Los Angeles to Panama City on sale in January for only $322 nonstop. It's their basic economy tier, so you only get a free carry-on. But the price is low enough that even paying $60 to check a bag means you're still saving money.

Delta also has lots of availability for nonstop flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Panama City. Here's one basic economy ticket in October for only $272 roundtrip.

You can fly from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Panama in January for only $296 roundtrip on American. This isn't a nonstop flight -- there is a layover in Miami each way -- but the price is nice and it's a main cabin ticket. That means you get a free checked bag.

Maximize your purchase

Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

If you've been thinking of visiting Panama, this sale is a great opportunity to do so at unusually low prices.