San Diego to Tocumen (SAN–PTY) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
SAN–PTY is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Copa Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 2,911 miles in approximately 6h 22m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CM Copa Airlines | 5 | 7M9 | 6h22 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Tocumen from San Diego
| Metric | SAN→PTY | LAX→PTY |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SAN | – | 109 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 5 | 24 |
| Flight time | 6h 22m | 6h 22m |
| Departure OTP | 74% | – |
Travel Essentials
SAN: PDT · PTY: EST
When it's 6:00 PM in San Diego, it's 8:00 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.
SAN–PTY Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SAN to PTY
San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Tocumen International Airport (PTY) are connected by nonstop service from Copa Airlines. With 5 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SAN to PTY Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SAN to PTY is about 6 hours 22 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 2,911 miles (4,685 km). There are approximately 5 weekly flights outbound and 5 return, totaling 10 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Los Angeles, Austin Bergstrom and Harry Reid. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Los Angeles (LAX).