by Jennie C. Trow – Marketing Director
Many of our clients inquire about the differences between flying on Air Panama and Copa Airlines to the Chiriqui Province. Both airlines are dependable and offer good service; however, there are differences between the two.
Air Panama
Air Panama flights depart from the Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport, located in Albrook within the city limits of Panama. This is the main airport where majority of domestic flights depart and some international flights to Colombia and Costa Rica. This airport is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Panama City, and could be less traveling time depending on the time of day and where your hotel is located.
On flights to David you are allowed to check in up to 30kg. free of charge and a carry on item that weighs no more than 4kg.
Air Panama flights arrive/ depart to Enrique Malek International Airport, normally there are 3 flights daily flying from Panama City to David and David to Panama City.
Pros: The Albrook airport is smaller and located closer to downtown Panama City. If visitors will be flying to multiple destinations in Panama, this airport is more convenient. Also it is less crowded.
Type of Airplane: Focar 100 and number of passengers: 100
Type of Airplane: Boeing 737 – Number of passengers 147
Cons: N/A
Copa Airlines
Copa Airline flights depart from Tocumen International Airport; most likely you will arrive to this airport when you come to Panama. This airport is approximately 20-25 minutes from downtown Panama City. Again this can vary depending on the time of day and where your hotel is located. Copa Airlines has specific lines at the airport for the David, Chiriqui domestic flight.
Visitors who are only flying domestic (Panama – David – Panama) are allowed to check in a total of 20kg of luggage free of charge and carry on 5kg. If a visitor is flying directly on an international flight and then connecting to a flight to David they do not have to worry about their baggage limit as they are entitled to the international baggage limit. This is the same case if you are flying from David and then on to an international destination. However, please double check all this information on Copa’s website or speak directly to an agent.
Visitors arriving from an international destination will have to go through customs and immigration and then make their way to the area for their domestic flight. Visitors traveling domestically will go directly to the domestic flight area after checking in their baggage, they will not have to go into the main part of the international airport.
Copa Airlines flights arrive/ depart to Enrique Malek International Airport, normally there are 3 flights daily flying from Panama City to David and David to Panama City.
Pros: This is a convenient option for international visitors that will travel directly David from their international flight.
Cons: If you are staying in Panama City, you may have to leave earlier than usual to arrive to Tocumen International Airport due to traffic. The international airport in general is further away from downtown Panama City.
Type of Airplane: Embraer 190 ARA – Number of Passengers: 94
Type of Airplane: Embraer 190 ARB – Number of Passengers: 100
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