Copa is continuing its rapid expansion of direct flight from cities in the US to Panama with connections to 57 other cities in Latin America.

By Marie Szaniszlo – Beginning this summer, Star Alliance member Copa Airlines will offer the first daily non-stop service from Boston to Panama City, with connections to 57 other destinations in Latin America.

“We will be the only direct, non-stop flight from Boston to Latin America,” Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron said today at the State House, where he met with government, business and community leaders. “We’re filling a void.”

Boston is currently the largest U.S. market without non-stop service to Latin America, Heilbron said.

Roundtrip flights will begin July 10 and cost between $500 and $600.

Copa will operate a Boeing 737-700 Next-Generation aircraft on the flight, with seating for 12 passengers in business class and 112 in the main cabin.

On-board service includes meals and a 12-channel audio-visual entertainment system in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with new movies monthly and complimentary headsets. Flight attendants are bilingual.

Passengers can make connections to destinations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, without customs or immigration waits for in-transit passengers. (bostonherald.com)