Copa Airlines and United Airlines are adapting their flight operations to meet the changing demands of passengers amid rising travel activity. Copa Airlines, the flag carrier of Panama, has announced plans to expand its service between Panama City and Boston, USA. Starting April 1, 2025, the airline will increase its weekly flights from seven to ten, responding to growing passenger demand.
The added flights will utilize Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with two daily services on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Passengers can expect flights to depart from Panama City at 07:29 and arrive at Boston’s Logan International Airport at 14:06 local time. The return flight will leave Boston at 15:36, getting back to Tocumen Airport at approximately 20:41 local time. Tickets for these new services are already available for purchase on the airline's website. This expansion reflects Copa’s commitment to improve connectivity between Latin America and the United States, providing travelers with enhanced options and quality service.
On another front, United Airlines has taken steps to improve its flight services to South Africa by requesting flexibility from the Department of Transportation (DOT). This request, filed on February 14, was modeled after similar flexibility sought by Delta Air Lines earlier.
United is asking the DOT to allow it to use one frequency on its Newark (EWR) to Johannesburg (JNB) route to facilitate additional flights to Cape Town (CPT) throughout the year. According to United, increasing the frequency during peak travel seasons would enable six flights per week from Newark to Johannesburg and four flights to Cape Town. Notably, this request aims to capitalize on stable passenger demand, which the airline believes indicates potential for growth.
Thorsten Lettnin, United’s Director of Sales for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Israel, previously noted, "United's proposal for year-round flexibility for one frequency is comparable to Delta's request for two frequencies during peak season." It’s important to mention this request doesn’t affect United’s existing services between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Cape Town.
United is seeking permission to operate all its flight frequencies to South Africa via different routes, where it originates from Newark, connects through Johannesburg, and arrives at Cape Town before returning to New Jersey. This approach is contingent upon demand and will operate year-round if granted by the DOT.
The DOT has previously permitted Delta Air Lines to operate flights between Atlanta and Cape Town via Johannesburg, showcasing the precedent for flexibility within this regulatory environment. Delta’s service was noted for significantly benefiting customer preferences, enhancing service options during high-demand periods.
Based on aviation analytics from Cirium, the last time any US airline successfully operated eighth freedom flights—which allow carriers to pick up passengers within another country—was back in March 2023. At the time, Delta had also run flights between Atlanta and Cape Town, signaling the interest and potential profitability of these routes during peak travel seasons.
When United requested additional flexibility, it echoed similar sentiments as Delta, emphasizing its potential benefits to the flying public. The company highlighted this flexibility’s necessity, predicting improved service to Cape Town during peak travel months, establishing new connecting routes through Cape Town, and efficiently managing traffic during conditions affecting Johannesburg’s operations, like high-altitude weather challenges.
The growing travel demands for airlines to offer more flexibility have led both Copa Airlines and United Airlines to make strategic adjustments to their route operations. Whether for seasonal increases or the enhancement of existing flights, these airlines are focusing on optimizing their offerings, carving out more efficient ways to serve their customers.
With Copa Airlines increasing its service frequency to address the pent-up demand for flights between Latin America and the United States, and United Airlines pushing for regulatory changes to improve its South African routes, both carriers are showcasing their commitment to adapt to market needs and passenger preferences.