Austin's aviation boom continues, with new Copa flights to Central America
Feb. 13, 2023
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3 min read
Austin's aviation boom continues, with new Copa flights to Central America
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Flyers based in Austin will have a new option for traveling to Latin America this summer.
Copa Airlines plans to launch nonstop flights between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Panama Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, giving the Star Alliance carrier its 15th U.S. route.
With a new route from Austin, passengers can connect to 55 Latin American cities through Copa's "Hub of the Americas" at PTY.
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Copa, based in Panama City, already operates flights from cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. More recently, the airline announced it would begin nonstop flight service from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Panama City on June 28.
Since Copa is a member of the Star Alliance, passengers can earn and use miles with any of the 26 partner airlines, such as United Airlines, Lufthansa or Air Canada. Plus, flyers with Star Alliance Gold status can receive benefits like priority boarding and airport lounge access.
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The flag carrier of Panama will operate four weekly flights from Austin on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Flights will depart from Panama at 9:18 a.m. and arrive in Austin at 2:04 p.m. Returning flights will take off from Austin at 3:34 p.m. and land in Panama at 8:16 p.m.
The new service also continues a boom for Austin's airport, which has emerged as one of the nation's hottest aviation markets in recent years. Carriers like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines have all aggressively grown schedules there. Several overseas airlines — such as KLM and Virgin Atlantic — have also added high-profile new routes there.
“This exciting announcement has been years in the making,” Jacqueline Yaft, the CEO of AUS, said in a statement. “This route will provide economic and tourism benefits for generations to come.”
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Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees