Copa Airlines
Panama · COPA · Active
Airline Identity
History
Copa Airlines traces its origins to Compañía Panameña de Aviación, founded on 21 June 1944 in Panama City and beginning commercial operations on 15 August 1947. The carrier grew from a small domestic operator into Latin America's most important connecting hub airline, leveraging Panama's geographic position between North and South America. Copa Holdings, S.A. was formed as the airline's parent company and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and Copa Airlines joined Star Alliance in June 2012.
Current Operations
Copa Airlines operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet (737-700s, 737-800s, and an expanding number of 737 MAX 8/9 aircraft, with further MAX 9s and MAX 10s on order) of roughly 100-plus aircraft as of 2025. Its hub-and-spoke network is centered on Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, from which it connects around 90 destinations across North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean, marketing itself on the strength of its Panama City connecting bank. The airline is a Star Alliance member and is controlled by Copa Holdings, S.A., which also owns the Colombian low-cost carrier Wingo; in recent periods it has continued to add U.S. routes (such as San Diego in mid-2025) while periodically suspending Venezuela service amid regional political instability.
Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.