I have two stopover programs on my radar: Turkish Airlines’ stopover program in Istanbul and Copa Airlines’ stopover program in Panama City.
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Stopover programs let travelers who book airfare with select airlines take advantage of steep discounts at their stopover location. Usually, it involves a stay of at least one night, allowing travelers the chance to experience their connecting city before continuing on their way to their final destination.
You can find them in places like Madrid, Iceland, and Qatar—but not all are created equally.
When it comes to time and value, Copa Airlines’ Panama Stopover Program is unmatched. The program lets you stay for over two weeks in the country while enjoying discounts for major hotels, restaurants, tours, and attractions. Here’s what you need to know, plus how to take part.
Inside Copa Airlines’ newly expanded Panama Stopover Program
When you book a flight with Copa Airlines that includes a stop in Panama City, you can join the Panama Stopover Program for free. Copa Airlines currently serves over 85 destinations across the Americas and the Caribbean, connecting Americans to 32 countries with over 400 daily flights.
The revamped program has expanded the list of discounts available and doubled the total time that you can stay in the country without a visa. The program allows those with connecting flights to stay for 15 days, which was previously capped at seven.
You can stay in Panama City for the duration of your stopover or head to the coast to popular spots like Bocas del Toro or Coiba National Park. You’ll have the chance to explore local gems like Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO site, along with the world-famous Panama Canal.
To join the program, head to the Panama Stopover Program page. There, you’ll see a list of hotels, restaurants, tours/activities, packages, and transportation offers. Each lists the discount rate, which is up to 48%, in some cases.
To take advantage, you first need to book your flights. Then, you’ll present your email confirmation and/or voucher at checkout, which confirms that you’re in the stopover program and should receive the discount.
I recommend building out your stopover itinerary before booking flights. That way, you know how many days you need to stay in Panama. The big decision is whether or not to leave Panama City to explore other parts of the country. As you explore the Panama Stopover Program offers, you can start to put together prospective destinations based on the available discounts.
