UPDATED POST
Keep in mind, you can make a reservation for a flight from the USA (or elsewhere) all the way to David Panama, but it will NOT be a non-stop flight.
All flights must stop in Panama City's Tocumen airport. Once you land at Tocumen, you will go through immigration and customs and then you go to the Copa counter and check your bags. Once you are checked in, you will walk to the domestic terminal at Tocumen to catch your connecting flight to David.
Thankfully, this is usually a pretty quick process.
You can typically make it with only an hour between landing at Tocumen and catching your connecting flight to David. However, I'd recommend giving yourself more than that minimal hour between the flights.
The advantage of purchasing your ticket all the way through to David is your baggage allowance.
If you book your flight from the USA (or where ever) through to David, Copa Airlines will allow you the same baggage allowance as your flight to Panama City permits. Typically international flights have a much higher baggage allowance than domestic flights.
This is good option if you have more than 1 checked bag of over 44lbs (20 kilos). Most airlines coming to Panama allow bags of up to 50 lbs and often allow up to 2 bags. Normally, Copa allows you only 1 checked bag of 44lbs (20 kilos) on its flight to David. That is, unless you booked your international flight through to David.
Find out more about flights from Panama City to David.
My comment on my original post: While there are still no direct flights from the USA to David, there are more flights to David that are not controlled by George Novey. As I explain above, for the last year or more Copa offers flights to David out of Tocumen.
This is a big improvement. You used to have to change airports in Panama City to catch a plane to David. Copa airlines, my favorite, offers flights from Panama City to David out of Tocumen airport. Air Panama continues to offer flights out of Panama
Here is that original post:
The internet is awash with hopeful information on this topic. So often it seems like it will happen. For awhile I bought into the hoopla.But I don't think it will ever happen.Or at least not anytime soon.
The short answer is Air Panama.
Air Panama is Panama's only regional airline, since Aeroplas airline closed in 2012
George Novey owns Air Panama. He is a very well connected, very wealthy, international businessman.
He is one of the main reasons there will never be direct flights to David from either the USA or Panama's Tocumen airport.
He is making oodles of money with Air Panama's flights out of the Albrook Airport.
He has no competition. There is not other airline who offers the flights that Air Panama offers.
Any direct flight from another airport into David will drastically reduce Air Panama's profits.
David is the 2nd largest city in Panama. There is alot of demand for flights in and out of David.
Maybe I am cynical. But unless Mr Novey can make money on direct flights to David, that do not originate from the Albrook Airport, I don't think there will be any.
Need to fly to David? Learn how you can fly from Panama City to David here.
Please comment below.
BIG THANKS ............. for all your input, great information, we have enjoyed all your printouts.
We are a Canadian couple from Vancouver Island, B.C. and are here in Puerto Armuelles, Coronado District, house/pet sitting, second time around (3 mo.) Last year we were also in the Corazon de Jesus area and the year before that up in Potrerillos Arriba as well as on and of time in David while applying for our Pensionado. We spent 3 months on the Isla Carenero, Bocas ................ and definitely feel comfortable in Puerto. Our first trip to Panama was in 2007 when we rented a car at the airport and got on the wrong road at the traffic circle leaving the airport and got lost trying to get across the bridge .... we since take the bus and are much happier !
Hi Shelia and Hugh,
Thank you for your wonderfully kind praise.
I feel like I should have met you. Is my memory failing me? Perhaps you met my husband Reyn while you were in Corazon de Jesus. He goes there almost everyday to surf or swim. But he goes very early in the day.
I'm glad you like Puerto. I find it a very laid back & relaxing place to be. I agree with you about driving a car in Panama City. Buses and taxis are the way to go.
We spent 4 months traveling in Panama using only bus and taxi, with our then 5 year old. We loved it and met many wonderful people that way.
If you are still in Puerto in the new year, I will try to track you down to say "hi" in person. We are in the States for the holidays right now.
- Betsy
It's a shame that they allow this borderline criminal activity to exist. What about future flights by Sunwing at Rio Hato? This is very close ( I believe) to materializing . Already flights arriving from Canada weekly.
Hi Mike,
After reading your comment I immediately Googled Sunwing.
It looks like a good airline - they still feed passengers for free.
Since they primarily serve Canada I had not heard about them.
Yes, they already offer direct flights from Toronto to Playa Blanca (not far from Panama City).
I wish they had flights going to Panama from the west cost of Canada.
My home base in the States is Seattle so that would be more convenient for me.
I would be great for the many Canadian expats (and hope-to-be expats) if they would
also fly into David - from both Toronto and Vancouver.
Thanks for your comment. I learned something, which I always enjoy doing.
Its a RIPP=OFF how it is set up !!! & the taxi ride from Tocumen, which looks more like a SHOPPING MALL than an AIRPORT, is aggravating; plus the extra hassle at Albrook !!!
We decided PAN AMA is NOT for us, specially as Boquete town is a dirty SNORE, being TOTALLY
over~hyped !!!
L v M
Hi Lance,
Wow. I am sorry you had such a bad time.
Good thing you visited Panama, now you can take it off
your list of places you'd like to move to.
We, obviously, have a different view of those places.
I hope you find what you are looking for.
- Betsy
I have talked to Copa booking agents and even made a reservation (but did not complete the purchase) of a Copa flight from Tocumen to David. Copa starts twice daily (each way) on Jan 15, 2015. And the full adult fare is $80 per person, one way, which is cheaper than Air Panama. And, no transfer to Allbrook required!! My wife, Sunny, and I are moving to Panama in early March. We currently live in Bellevue, WA. Please email a good local tel number so we might chat before we depart the USA. Happy New Year! Richard
Wow! I had heard that rumor but I don't believe it until I see it in Panama.
The Tocumen to David flight used to exist, but stopped.
I'm so happy to hear that Copa has started doing the run.
Copa is our favorite airline.
Thanks for giving me the news.
I'll send you an email in a few minutes.
I'd be interested in learning where in Panama you are moving to.
Betsy
Super old post. Copa flies to David 3 times a day. What we need is a direct flight out of Houston with an American carrier. i have heard that the airport has some major flaws & the US Aviation authorities will not approve any flights that land in David. Can anyone confirm this???
Thanks. I have updated the post now.
I have no idea if that is true that the US FAA won't approve David's airport's for aviation.
It could be. Or it could be the Panama government is trying to give more business to its own
airline, COPA. So it forces the connection to COPA in PTY. Keep in mind, the only 2 airlines
that fly into and out of David are COPA and Air Panama, both Panamanian airlines. Or it could
be that it isn't cost effective for other airlines to offer direct flights to David.
Your guess is as good as mine.
I am still thrilled there is a connecting flight to David. It was miserable when you had
to change airports to catch a plane to David.