Which Airlines Fly In and Out of Central America: A Traveler’s Guide

Central America’s airline network has grown into one of the most connected in the Americas, offering travelers a wide choice of carriers and routes. This guide outlines which airlines serve each destination so you can see at a glance if your preferred carrier flies where you need to go.

Once considered an aeronautical backwater of sorts (at least in comparison with other regions of the world), Central America is now as connected as anywhere else with an extensive international airline network serving the region. Each country in the region is connected to each other and to North America while most others also reach South America and Europe through a mix of full-service carriers, low-cost operators, and regional airlines. This combination gives travelers a good degree of choice in destinations, service style, pricing and scheduling.

For many people planning a trip, one of the first considerations is whether a trusted or preferred airline serves the intended destination. That can influence everything from ticket cost and baggage allowances to loyalty program earnings. Unless you are already familiar with the region’s aviation landscape, finding that information can be time consuming.

This guide is designed to make it easy. Country by country, we outline the international airlines that fly in and out of each destination, highlighting the major hubs, seasonal variations and notable new services. By focusing on the airlines themselves rather than just their routes, travelers get a clear picture of who operates in the region, how they fit into Central America’s connectivity and what that means for trip planning.

With this reference you will know if your favorite carrier is already serving your destination, and if not, which other airlines can get you where you need to go.

Regional Overview

Central America’s air travel network revolves around several major hub airports that handle the bulk of international passenger traffic. Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport is the largest and most connected. It functions as the home hub for Copa Airlines and links the region to almost every country in the Americas as well as a select group of European destinations. While direct links to the Middle East are not available, travelers can still book premium itineraries, say, business class to Qatar, by connecting through major hubs in Europe or North America.

Speaking of hubs, San Salvador’s airport in El Salvador has become an important hub for Avianca in recent years, turning it into a key regional gateway. Elsewhere, the two international airports in Costa Rica accommodate airlines from North America and Europe in keeping with the country’s status as Central America’s biggest tourism market. Belize City, Guatemala City, Managua, and the three international airports in Honduras also serve as important entry points for their respective markets. Now let’s see who flies where, country‑by‑country.

Belize

Belize’s international flights are handled at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. The country is served by a mix of full‑service and low‑cost airlines, most of them targeting the leisure market and linking Belize to major cities in North America. The lineup is dominated by well‑established U.S. carriers alongside seasonal Canadian services and a small number of regional operators from Central America. This combination gives travelers a choice between direct long‑haul flights and shorter regional connections, depending on itinerary and budget.

International Airlines Serving Belize:

• American
• United
• Delta
• JetBlue
• Southwest
• Alaska
• Spirit  (launching late 2025)
• Sun Country
• Copa
• WestJet
• Air Canada
• Frontier
• Avianca

Belize’s airline list is heavy on North American names, reflecting its core tourism markets. Regional connectivity remains limited but is gradually expanding, with Copa and Avianca adding links to Panama City and San Salvador respectively. Seasonal services from Sun Country, Alaska, WestJet, and Air Canada also run during the peak winter months.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s international flights are split between Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José and Guanacaste International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. San José is the country’s busiest hub, handling a wide mix of long‑haul and regional traffic, while Liberia caters largely to the tourism market, linking the Guanacaste coast and nearby destinations with nonstop flights from North American gateways and selected seasonal European services. Together they give Costa Rica one of the broadest international airline selections in Central America.

International Airlines Serving Juan Santamaría (SJO):

• American
• United
• Delta
• Alaska
• JetBlue
• Southwest
• Spirit
• Sun Country
• Copa
• Aeromexico
• Avianca
• Air Canada
• British Airways
• Air France
• Iberia
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Condor
• Edelweiss

International Airlines Serving Guanacaste International Airport (LIR):

• American
• United
• Delta
• Alaska
• JetBlue
• Southwest
• Sun Country
• Air Canada
• WestJet
• Sunwing
• TUI

San José handles most long‑haul connections along with a wide range of regional services. Liberia’s network is more focused on leisure travel, particularly during peak tourism months, with heavy U.S. and Canadian representation and a smaller number of European routes.

El Salvador

El Salvador’s international flights are handled by Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, located near San Salvador. The airport functions as one of Central America’s busiest hubs, largely thanks to Avianca’s extensive regional and long‑haul network. Other carriers provide direct links to the United States, Central America, and Europe, giving the country strong year‑round connectivity.

International Airlines Serving El Salvador:

• Avianca
• Volaris
• American
• United
• Delta
• Spirit
• Copa
• Iberia

Avianca uses San Salvador as a base for flights across the Americas, making it a key transfer point for travelers within the region. U.S. carriers such as American, United, Delta, and Spirit maintain reliable connections to multiple American cities, while Copa Airlines ties El Salvador into its Panama City hub. Iberia adds a direct European option with its Madrid service.

Guatemala

Guatemala’s main international gateway is La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. The airport handles a steady mix of full‑service and low‑cost carriers, linking the country to North American, Mexican, Central American, and limited European markets. The network is designed to serve both tourism and business travel, with strong regional connectivity into neighboring countries and onward links deeper into the Americas.

International Airlines Serving Guatemala:

• Avianca
• United
• American
• Copa
• Volaris
• Delta
• Spirit
• Iberia
• Aeromexico
• Frontier

Avianca and Copa provide critical regional connections throughout Central and South America, making Guatemala City an important transfer point in the region. U.S. carriers — American, United, Delta, and Spirit — keep the country well‑linked to major U.S. hubs with year‑round service. Mexican airlines Volaris and Aeromexico add consistent links to Mexico City and Cancun, while Iberia’s Madrid route offers a direct European option. Low‑cost carrier Frontier has expanded options for travelers seeking budget‑friendly access from the United States.

Honduras

Honduras has three main international airports: Palmerola International Airport in Comayagua, Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, and Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport in Roatán. Palmerola is the newest facility and aims to serve as a modern hub for international and regional service. San Pedro Sula remains an important commercial gateway, while Roatán focuses mainly on leisure traffic to the Bay Islands.

International Airlines Serving Palmerola International (XPL):

• American
• United
• Spirit
• Frontier
• Copa
• Aeromexico

International Airlines Serving Ramón Villeda Morales International (SAP):

• American
• United
• JetBlue
• Spirit
• Copa
• Frontier

International Airlines Serving Juan Manuel Gálvez International (RTB):

• American
• United
• Copa
• Tropic Air (regional)

American and United maintain strong coverage across all three airports, with Roatán seeing frequent tourist flights from Miami and Houston. JetBlue connects San Pedro Sula with New York, while Spirit and Frontier target budget‑conscious travelers. Copa integrates all three gateways with its Panama City hub, and Tropic Air provides short‑haul regional service into Roatán from Belize.

Nicaragua

International air service to Nicaragua is handled by Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua. This gateway connects the country to destinations in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, with a mix of full‑service and low‑cost carriers. The market is expanding, with new routes planned to Canada and Europe in 2025.

International Airlines Serving Nicaragua:

• Avianca
• American
• Copa
• Spirit
• United
• Aeromexico
• Conviasa
• SANSA (regional)

Avianca operates multiple services linking Managua with Central American capitals and several cities in South America. American Airlines runs regular flights to the United States, with United and Spirit adding additional North American options. Copa Airlines flies between Managua and Panama City, providing further links across its network in the Americas. Aeromexico connects Nicaragua with Mexico City, and Conviasa serves Havana in Cuba. Late in 2025, WestJet will launch service from Montreal and Iberia will begin flights to Madrid, giving Managua direct connections to Canada and Europe.

Panama

International service to Panama is concentrated at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, the busiest and most connected airport in Central America. It serves as Copa Airlines’ home base and hosts a wide mix of carriers from the Americas, Europe, and beyond.

International Airlines Serving Panama:

• Copa
• American
• Air France
• Avianca
• British Airways
• Iberia
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Turkish Airlines
• LATAM
• Aeromexico
• Delta
• Southwest
• Spirit
• Sun Country
• WestJet
• Air Canada

Copa Airlines operates the largest share of flights, linking Panama with destinations throughout the Americas and select cities in Europe. U.S. carriers such as American, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit provide strong links to the American market. European carriers including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Iberia connect Panama City directly to major European capitals. Panama also promotes its “Panama Stopover” program, allowing Copa’s connecting passengers to spend up to seven days in the country at no extra airfare.

Major Airlines in Focus

• Copa Airlines. Operating from its base at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Copa connects every Central American capital with destinations across North and South America, the Caribbean, and selected European cities. Its hub model makes it a leading choice for multi‑country itineraries.
• American Airlines.
American serves all Central American countries from multiple U.S. hubs, including Miami, Dallas–Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Los Angeles. It combines high‑frequency leisure routes with business‑oriented schedules, making it consistent year‑round.
• United.
United operates into all Central American countries, with Houston as the main gateway. Additional flights from Newark, Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco offer extensive options from across the United States.
• Avianca.
Operating from strong bases in San Salvador and Bogotá, Avianca links Central America with South America, North America, and Europe. It offers frequent short‑haul services between capitals and deeper regional access.
• Spirit Airlines.Spirit has expanded quickly in the region, building a budget‑focused network from Florida and Texas into most markets. Low base fares make it popular for short‑haul leisure trips.

Traveler Considerations

• Flight options vary by season. Winter is the busiest period, with expanded service from North America and Europe to match tourism demand. Off‑season schedules can mean fewer non‑stop flights and reduced frequencies.
• Hubs like Panama City, San José, and San Salvador provide more choice and faster onward connections, while smaller gateways like Belize City, Roatán, or Liberia are convenient for direct access to specific destinations but generally have fewer airlines and flights.
• Full‑service airlines typically include checked baggage, meals, and greater schedule flexibility. Low‑cost carriers operate on a base‑fare model with extra charges for luggage, seat selection, and onboard services. Choosing the right type of airline can make a difference for both budget and comfort.

Closing

Central America’s airline network now rivals other regions in connectivity. A wide mix of full‑service global carriers, regional specialists, and expanding low‑cost airlines serves every country, giving travelers options for nearly every budget and itinerary.

By knowing which airlines operate to your destination, you can plan with confidence, matching your preferred carrier to both your travel style and schedule. This guide puts that information in one place, helping you find the most suitable airline to get you where you want to go with minimal hassle.