New York to Tocumen (JFK–PTY) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
JFK–PTY is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Copa Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 2,208 miles in approximately 5h 11m. Beyond nonstop, 60 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CM Copa Airlines | 33 | 738, 7M9 | 5h11-5h33 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Tocumen from New York
| Metric | JFK→PTY | TEB→PTY | EWR→PTY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from JFK | – | 21 mi | 21 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 33 | 1 | 21 |
| Flight time | 5h 11m | 3h 58m | 5h 15m |
| Departure OTP | 67% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
JFK: EDT · PTY: EST
When it's 6:00 PM in New York, it's 5:00 PM in Tocumen.
US passport holders enter Panama visa-free for up to 180 days. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of entry. A return or onward ticket is required, and immigration may ask for proof of funds ($500 or equivalent). At Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, immigration stamps your passport. Panama also requires an online immigration affidavit filled out at migración.gob.pa within 72 hours before arrival.
The 180-day allowance is generous and makes Panama popular with remote workers and retirees. Panama City's skyline is Central America's most modern, with the Casco Viejo historic quarter contrasting the glass towers of Punta Pacifica. The Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks visitor center is 15 minutes from the city center and lets you watch ships transit. Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast is a laid-back island town. Boquete in the highlands is known for coffee farms and the Quetzal Trail in Volcan Baru National Park.
Direct flights from Miami (MIA) to Panama City run about 3 hours 15 minutes on American Airlines, Copa, and Delta. Houston (IAH) to PTY runs about 4 hours on United and Copa. Copa Airlines uses PTY as its hub with connections across Latin America. Direct service also operates from New York JFK, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, and Atlanta. Panama uses the US dollar (called the balboa, pegged 1:1). Balboa coins circulate alongside US coins. No currency exchange needed. ATMs dispense US dollars. Card payments work at most businesses. The Panama Metro runs 2 lines from Albrook to the eastern suburbs for $0.35 per ride. Uber operates in Panama City. A taxi across the city costs $3 to $8.
The AirTrain connects JFK to the NYC subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station (Howard Beach is the other connection point). Subway fare plus AirTrain totals $9.25 from midtown Manhattan; allow 60–75 minutes. LIRR from Penn Station takes 25–30 minutes to Jamaica, then 8–10 minutes on AirTrain; total fare around $10–15 depending on time of day.Taxis from Manhattan to JFK are a flat rate of $70 plus tolls and tip ($85–95 all-in). Ride-shares cost $45–80 depending on traffic and time of day. A dedicated express rail (JFK Connect) has been proposed but does not exist yet.
JFK–PTY Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from JFK to PTY
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Tocumen International Airport (PTY) are connected by nonstop service from Copa Airlines. With 33 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
JFK to PTY Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from JFK to PTY ranges from 5 hours 11 minutes to 5 hours 33 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,208 miles (3,554 km). There are approximately 33 weekly flights outbound and 34 return, totaling 67 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
60 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via TEB. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Teterboro (TEB) and Newark (EWR).