Copa Airlines offers easy access to Panama and beyond

Editor's note: Tampa International Airport Manager of Communications C.J. Johnson recently traveled to Panama City, Panama, aboard TPA's nonstop flight on Copa Airlines. This is a travelogue of his experiences and recommendations.

There's nothing quite like traveling to a new destination, especially when it's an adventure to Panama City, Panama - known as the "Crossroads of the World" for its vital location between North and South America and the famously important Panama Canal.

I recently flew nonstop from TPA to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) aboard Copa Airlines , which has been operating at TPA since 2013 . The airline recently increased service to PTY to 12 nonstop flights a week from Tampa International Airport.

Copa has also made it easy for Tampa Bay travelers to explore Panama, even if their final destination is elsewhere. They provide a complimentary stopover program with all sorts of hotel, restaurant and activity deals for passengers who are connecting through PTY to any of 47 Latin American and Caribbean destinations.

For context, I've been on a personal quest to visit as many countries as I can, and I hadn't yet made it to Panama. This trip would mark my first visit to Central America, bringing my personal "countries visited" tally up to 42. It would be a short trip, less than 48 hours on the ground, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was excited to try out Copa Airlines and explore this unique city.

After I breezed through check-in and security at TPA, Copa was kind enough to upgrade me to a business class seat for the less than three-hour flight from TPA to PTY. I was able to kick back, relax and enjoy the delicious onboard meal of beef, rice and salad once we had taken off. While Wi-Fi service isn't currently offered aboard Copa, the airline offered plenty of movies and shows to help pass the time.