Copa AirlinesSFOPTY
Star Alliance; the only nonstop option with easy Latin America connections
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Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Panama City
Searching for flights from San Francisco to Panama City that fit your budget?
Dates
Sat, Nov 7 – Mon, Nov 9
No. of travellers & Class
1 Traveller · Economy
Triwize compares 500+ airlines to find San Francisco to Panama City flights, including round-trip, one-way, and last-minute deals from SFO to PTY.
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Round trip Flight deals
The card below shows the cheapest round-trip fares currently available. Updated every 24 hours.
Enter your travel dates to find the best prices
Tue, 17 Nov - Mon, 23 Nov
9:45SEA
17h 00mNon-stop
05:45SIN
9:00SIN
14h 10mNon-stop
08:10SEA
$653Economy · per person
Tue, 17 Nov - Mon, 23 Nov
12:05LAX
16h 35mNon-stop
7:40SIN
20:45SIN
16h 05mNon-stop
21:50LAX
$857Economy · per person
Tue, 17 Nov - Mon, 23 Nov
7:00LAX
25h 35m1 stop
12:10SIN
20:45SIN
16h 5mNon-stop
21:50LAX
$855Economy · per person
Tue, 17 Nov - Mon, 23 Nov
08:37LAX
29h 38m2 stops
05:15SIN
07:00SIN
19h 32m1 stop
11:32LAX
$873Economy · per person
Tue, 17 Nov - Mon, 23 Nov
13:18ONT
25h 57m2 stops
06:15SIN
8:45SIN
18h 27m1 stop
12:12ONT
$878Economy · per person
Tue, 17 Nov - Mon, 23 Nov
06:00ONT
21h 35m1 stop
18:35SIN
08:45SIN
26h 18m1 stop
20:01ONT
$873Economy · per person
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Best Time to Book San Franciscoto Panama City flights
Learn the best times to book flights, avoid peak travel periods, and find lower fares for your trip.
What is the Cheapest Month to Fly from SFO to PTY?April is typically the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Panama City, with average round-trip fares running well below the 12-month norm. Fares tend to ease again in September once summer travel winds down, making both months strong windows for San Francisco to Panama City flight deals.
When are Flights from SFO to PTY the Most Expensive?December is consistently the priciest month to fly from San Francisco to Panama City, as holiday travel and Panama's dry-season tourist season push demand — and SFO to PTY flight prices — to their yearly peak. Fares also climb around spring break and mid-summer.
Everything you need to know before you book
Quick Facts - Flights from SFO to PTY
Everything you need to know before you book.
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How to Find Cheap Flights From San Francisco to Panama City
Flexible travelers can sometimes find cheaper NYC to MIA flights by starting from a nearby regional airport
1 Book Early for Lower FaresBooking several weeks or months ahead can help you find better fares, especially during peak travel periods.
2 Compare Multiple AirlinesCheck fares across different airlines, as prices can vary significantly even for the same route and travel dates.
3 Travel on Flexible DatesMidweek and off-peak travel dates often have lower fares than weekends, holidays, and other high-demand periods.
4 Check Nearby AirportsCompare flights from nearby airports, as alternative departure or arrival points may offer cheaper fares.
5 Set Up Airfare AlertsUse Triwize fare alerts to track price changes and spot significant fare drops for your preferred route and dates.
6 Compare Direct and ConnectingDirect flights are faster but may cost more, so compare them with connecting options before booking.
Airports Near San Francisco
Flexible Bay Area travelers can sometimes find cheaper flights from a nearby regional airport.
| Airport | Code | Distance from San Francisco | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland International | OAK | ~20 miles | Strong low-cost carrier presence |
| San Jose Mineta Intl. | SJC | ~45 miles | Good for connecting itineraries |
| Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County | STS | ~55 miles | Limited long-haul service |
| Sacramento International | SMF | ~90 miles | Useful for connecting fares |
| Monterey Regional | MRY | ~115 miles | Limited mainline service |
| Fresno Yosemite Intl. | FAT | ~185 miles | Seasonal/limited routes |
| Reno-Tahoe International | RNO | ~190 miles | Occasional fare outlier |
Airports Near Panama City
A nearby alternate airport can mean a shorter transfer or a different fare.
| Airport | Code | Distance from Panama City | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tocumen International | PTY | Main airport | All nonstop SFO service lands here |
| Marcos A. Gelabert Intl. (Albrook) | PAC | ~5 miles | Domestic-focused airport |
| Enrique Adolfo Jiménez (Colón) | ONX | ~50 miles | Colón free-trade zone and Caribbean coast |
| Scarlett Martínez Intl. (Río Hato) | RIH | ~100 miles | Gateway to Playa Blanca and beach resorts |
A traveller’s guide
Airlines Flying From San Francisco to Panama City
Six airlines connect San Francisco to Panama City, offering daily nonstop and flexible connecting flights.Copa Airlines
United AirlinesSFO, IAHPTY
Star Alliance; frequent one-stop options through Houston
AviancaSFO, SAL, BOGPTY
Star Alliance; competitive fares via San Salvador or Bogotá
American AirlinesSFO, MIA, DFWPTY
Oneworld; flexible one-stop options through Miami or Dallas
Delta Air LinesSFO, ATLPTY
SkyTeam; reliable one-stop routing through Atlanta
AeromexicoSFO, MEXPTY
SkyTeam; convenient one-stop service through Mexico City
Flights From San Francisco
Explore the most popular flight routes, with approximate distances, flight times, and unique USPs.
| Route | Approx. Distance | Approx. Flight Time | Why It's Popular |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco – Los Angeles (LAX) | 337 mi | 1h 15m–1h 30m | High-frequency California shuttle route |
| San Francisco – New York (JFK) | 2,586 mi | 5h 30m–6h 00m | Transcontinental business & leisure route |
| San Francisco – Chicago (ORD) | 1,846 mi | 4h 10m–4h 30m | Major Midwest connector hub |
| San Francisco – Seattle (SEA) | 679 mi | 1h 55m–2h 10m | Key Pacific Northwest tech-corridor route |
| San Francisco – Honolulu (HNL) | 2,398 mi | 5h 05m–5h 20m | Top West Coast gateway to Hawaii |
| San Francisco – Denver (DEN) | 967 mi | 2h 20m–2h 35m | Major Mountain West connecting hub |
| San Francisco – Tokyo (NRT) | 5,150 mi | 10h 15m–10h 45m | Leading Asia-Pacific gateway from the Bay Area |
| San Francisco – London (LHR) | 5,367 mi | 10h 20m–10h 45m | Major transatlantic business route |
| San Francisco – Mexico City (MEX) | 1,887 mi | 3h 55m–4h 10m | Top Latin America gateway from SFO |
| San Francisco – Panama City (PTY) | 3,339 mi | 6h 52m–7h 15m | Copa’s only nonstop Bay Area–Panama link |
Flights to Panama City
Explore the most popular flight routes, with approximate distances, flight times, and unique USPs.
| Route | Approx. Distance | Approx. Flight Time | Why It's Popular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami – Panama City | 1,035 mi | 2h 45m–3h 00m | Busiest U.S. gateway to Panama |
| Atlanta – Panama City | 1,497 mi | 3h 35m–3h 50m | Delta's leading Latin America connector |
| New York (JFK) – Panama City | 2,218 mi | 5h 10m–5h 30m | Major Northeast–Panama business route |
| Houston – Panama City | 1,519 mi | 3h 35m–3h 50m | United's primary Latin America gateway |
| Los Angeles – Panama City | 3,275 mi | 6h 45m–7h 05m | Top West Coast route to Panama |
| Bogotá – Panama City | 273 mi | 1h 05m–1h 20m | Busiest short-haul regional hop |
| Mexico City – Panama City | 1,502 mi | 3h 10m–3h 30m | Leading Mexico–Panama connector |
| San Francisco (SFO) – Panama City | 3,339 mi | 6h 52m–7h 15m | Copa's only nonstop West Coast–Panama route |
| Madrid – Panama City | 5,070 mi | 10h 30m–10h 50m | Major transatlantic gateway to Panama |
| San José, Costa Rica – Panama City | 332 mi | 1h 00m–1h 10m | Popular short-haul Central America route |
Millions of Travellers Saving Big
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Panama City?
A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Panama City takes approximately 6 hours 52 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes, covering about 3,339 miles, depending on winds and routing. Connecting itineraries typically add 4 to 5 hours or more.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SFO to PTY?
April is generally the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Panama City, based on 12-month fare averages, with September also offering relatively low San Francisco to Panama City airfares. December is typically the most expensive.
Which airlines fly nonstop from San Francisco to Panama City?
Copa Airlines is the only carrier currently operating nonstop flights between SFO and PTY, with roughly 12 weekly departures. United, Avianca, American, and Delta also serve the route with one-stop connections.
Which San Francisco Bay Area airport should I fly from to Panama City?
SFO offers the only nonstop service to Panama City and the widest schedule overall. Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are worth checking for connecting itineraries, since fares from nearby airports can occasionally undercut SFO to PTY flight prices.
How far in advance should I book a flight from San Francisco to Panama City?
For this route, booking around 13 weeks (about 3 months) ahead typically offers the best balance of price and flight choice. Booking within the final two weeks before departure usually costs significantly more.
Are there budget or last-minute flights from SFO to PTY?
Yes. Avianca frequently offers some of the lowest base fares via connections through San Salvador or Bogotá, and last-minute SFO to PTY flight deals can appear closer to departure on off-peak days, particularly midweek and in the afternoon.
What is the distance between San Francisco and Panama City?
San Francisco and Panama City are approximately 3,339 miles (5,372 km) apart by air, making it one of Copa Airlines' longest routes from the U.S. West Coast.
Is it cheaper to fly one-way or round-trip from SFO to PTY?
It varies by carrier and season, but comparing one way flights from San Francisco to Panama City against round-trip fares is worth doing on this route — connecting carriers in particular can price one-way tickets competitively, especially for flexible or one-directional trips.
Does United still fly nonstop from San Francisco to Panama City?
United previously operated nonstop SFO–PTY service but shifted to one-stop itineraries on this route in early 2026. Copa Airlines remains the only carrier flying nonstop between the two cities.
Plan your Trip
Terms and Conditions : Fares are sourced across 500+ airlines and include all taxes, surcharges, and Triwize service fees. Displayed prices are subject to change until ticketed. Tickets are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and subject to airline restrictions; name changes are not permitted. Triwize Coins are earned on qualified bookings, hold no cash value, are non-transferable, and may be modified or discontinued at any time. See full Terms for details.