Copa Airlines Launches Special Flights for World Cup 2026 Fans

Copa Airlines announced this Wednesday that it will put the first batch of 30 special flights and "attractive fares" on sale to Toronto (Canada) and New York (USA), so that Panamanians can accompany the national team in its 2026 World Cup matches. Likewise, the information explains that "as these first flights fill up, Copa Airlines will open additional flights for sale until reaching the thirty (30) flights approved in the agreement between the aviation authorities of Canada and Panama." Copa Airlines president Pedro Heilbron made a request on December 16 last for more than "sixty additional flights between Panama and Toronto to meet the expected demand over a period of approximately ten to fourteen days," he told EFE. "With this initiative, Copa Airlines brings Panamanian fans closer to the 'Sele' in the World Cup dream of an entire nation," the airline noted. Heilbron estimates that with 60 flights, approximately 8,400 fans can be transported to Toronto, as Panama is expected to receive that number of tickets for those two matches, which he said would be equivalent to 10 percent of the stadium's capacity. The airline stated in a press release that the flights, scheduled according to the match dates, with round-trip itineraries "specially designed for fans," will go on sale this Thursday, February 5. The fare for these flights will be $679 round-trip in economy class, which includes one checked bag, advance seat selection in economy cabin, the possibility of changing the date at no cost up to 7 days before the original departure, and all taxes included, the airline company's communiqué states. Panama, which debuted at Russia 2018, was paired for this second participation in Group L with Ghana, Croatia, and England. It will play against the Ghanaians and Croatians on June 17 and 23, respectively, at Toronto Stadium, and against England on June 27 at New York New Jersey Stadium. It adds that this fare will be available until March 5, 2026, or until the seating capacity on the special flights is exhausted.