Copa Airlines' new destinations include Raleigh-Durham and Tulum
Copa Airlines is planning to launch a couple of new routes to North America in the coming months: one to a fast-growing East Coast airport in the U.S. and another that's soon to be a major airport for leisure travelers in Mexico.
The Panama flag carrier on Monday announced new service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) from its home base Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama.
Its 16th U.S. destination, Copa will operate the route four times weekly with its Boeing 737-800 aircraft starting in late June.
Also announced Monday, the Panama City-based carrier said it would add two additional cities beyond RDU. It will join the growing list of airlines planning service to the brand-new Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport (TQO) in Tulum, Mexico. The airport is set to welcome international airlines for the first time next month, and in the process, it will give travelers a much easier link to the popular Mexico beach destination. In South America, Copa will add service to the Brazilian destination of Florianopolis.
In the U.S., however, Copa's new flights to RDU are the show-stopper.
Copa's service to Raleigh-Durham
Copa's nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham and Panama City, Panama, launches June 21.
From the outset, Copa will operate four weekly round trips, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Here's what the schedule looks like:
- RDU-PTY: Departs 4:20 p.m. and arrives 7:46 p.m.
- PTY-RDU: Departs 8:56 a.m. and arrives 2:28 p.m.
The 737-800 Copa will fly for the route has 16 business-class seats, 24 premium (or extra legroom) seats, and 120 seats in the main cabin.
How to get in: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Copa's growing US route map
Copa executives on hand for the route announcement Monday said adding an RDU pin to its U.S. route map is part of its larger goal to grow capacity 10% to 12% over each of the next several years in line with its growth last year, chief commercial officer Dennis Cary said.
"Part of our growth strategy is both adding more service in places we already fly, but also adding new routes," Cary said in an interview with TPG.
Here's what Copa's summer 2024 route map to the U.S. looked like prior to the RDU service announcement, per aviation analytics company Cirium.
The airline added nonstop flights to Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) last year.
According to Cary, part of Copa's growth is fueled by demand from travelers well outside Panama who are not only interested in flying the carrier to a final destination in Panama City but also interested in using the airline to connect to one of its dozens of destinations in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. This is something that's far more prevalent today than, say, five years ago, he said.
"The development of the U.S. traveler, and particularly the U.S. leisure traveler, into parts of our network is definitely expanded versus what it would have been in 2019," Cary said. "That's part of what makes these new routes exciting: We're not only reliant on our core customer base in Latin America, but really developing a following here in the U.S."
Travel better: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers
RDU gaining international footing
Meanwhile, Copa's arrival at RDU is just the latest bit of good news the airport has gotten of late.
Just last month, it was one of the U.S. airports that benefitted the most from a major route shakeup at Frontier, which launched around a half-dozen new routes to RDU.
It's also now a crew base for recent startup low-cost carrier Avelo, and it has gained a number of routes via another startup airline, Breeze.
But RDU isn't just getting new routes aboard domestic-centric, ultra-low-cost carriers.
Aeromexico, for instance, will launch nonstop service from there to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) this summer. Lufthansa will also begin serving RDU with nonstops to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). That's on top of Air France's nonstop to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which launched last fall (replacing a prior Delta Air Lines route).
The airport has existing transatlantic service to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) aboard American Airlines. Air Canada flies to both Toronto and Montreal from RDU.
Even before unveiling the Copa route, RDU was set to see seats to international destinations increase by 75% this summer, compared to five years ago, according to Cirium data.
"We're adding new airlines and new destinations at a record pace," airport authority board chair Ellis Hankins said at Monday's event, noting major expansion plans at the airport for the coming years to accommodate the growth.
"Gate management challenges are a great problem to have," Hankins said.
The airport saw a record 14.5 million passengers in 2023, narrowly surpassing the mark set in 2019. After adding service to 25 nonstop markets last year, it's already gained five new destinations in the first few weeks of 2024.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.