NEW YORK – Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A and a member of the global Star Alliance airline network, celebrated 20 years of nonstop service to New York City with an event with JFKIAT – the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This special occasion highlights the value of facilitating seamless connections from the U.S. to Latin America, as it bridges cultures, drives economic growth, and enriches travel experiences across the Americas.
Copa Airlines began flights to and from the New York area on June 17, 2004. With 2024 marking two decades of service and operating three (3) daily flights from JFK’s Terminal 4 to the Hub of the Americas in Tocumen International Airport, in Panama City. Serving 85 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean, Copa Airlines offers more connectivity to and from the United States than any other hub in the region, with 16 U.S. gateways.
“We are very proud of our 20-year commitment to providing meaningful and seamless connections for millions of passengers, bringing families, friends, and travelers to their favorite destinations,” said David DeFossey, Regional Commercial Manager, North America at Copa Airlines. “Reflecting on the past two decades, Copa Airlines remains dedicated to supporting the economic and tourism growth of New York City. We eagerly anticipate continuing our journey of connecting travelers with the vibrant cultures of the Americas and major cities throughout Latin America and beyond.”
At its inauguration, New York was Copa Airlines’ fourth U.S. destination, providing the fastest, most direct, and on-time service to Panama City and other Latin American destinations. Located in the heart of New York, the city is known for its dynamic blend of history, culture, and modernity, making it one of the most influential and iconic cities. With a diverse population, including a significant Latin American community, Copa Airlines is ideally positioned to continue serving this diverse and growing population.
“We are very pleased to mark this anniversary with our longtime partners at Copa Airlines, who share our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience,” said Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer at JFKIAT, the operator of JFK Terminal 4. “We wish Copa a very happy anniversary and look forward to our continued partnership with them in the future.”
New York City residents can continue benefiting from Copa’s world-class, award-winning service. Maintaining its leadership in the Latin American region, Copa Airlines was recognized by Cirium as the “Most Punctual Airline in Latin America in 2023” and has been recognized nine times during the past ten years. Achieving an impressive on-time arrival rate of 89.46%, Copa Airlines was among the top three most punctual airlines globally in 2023.
Most recently, the Airline was recognized as one of the Top 15 International Airlines worldwide and the only one from the Americas region in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The article Copa Airlines celebrates 20 years of connecting New York with Latin America and the Caribbean first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.