Flying to Lima: Stopover vs Nonstop: What’s Actually Worth It?

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A Frequent Traveler Who’s Tried Them All

Every time I plan a trip from Los Angeles to Lima — where our family has a home — I hit the same crossroads:

Do I stop somewhere to save… or fly nonstop and save my sanity?

If you’ve looked into flights to Lima, you’ve probably noticed that some stopover routes offer “business class” at nearly the same price as a nonstop economy fare. It looks like a deal — but is it really?

I’ve flown this route more than 20 times, on nearly every carrier that serves it. Here’s what I’ve learned.

Stopover vs Nonstop: Why It Actually Matters

Right now, LATAM Airlines is the only carrier flying nonstop from LAX to Lima. That gives it a major advantage if you value simplicity and predictability.

Other carriers — Copa, Avianca, Aeromexico, American, United, and Delta — all require layovers. While some of those flights offer business class at a competitive price, there are serious trade-offs.

I’ve flown through:

• Panama (Copa)
• El Salvador — and once, a surprise extra stop in Costa Rica (Avianca)
• Houston (United)
• Miami or Dallas (American) — though Dallas has since been dropped
• Atlanta (Delta)
• Mexico City (Aeromexico) — where things got especially complicated

The Hidden Costs of Stopovers

Who wants to get their baggage, and sometimes customs, and then check back in!

Here’s what often happens with a stopover flight:

• Only one leg is true business class — the other is often a basic recliner
• Single-aisle aircraft are more common than wide-body jets
• Customs stops in transit countries — including full bag checks (like in Mexico City)
• Middle-of-the-night departures — think 2:00 a.m.- 4:00 a.m. from Lima
• 12+ hour travel time, versus just 7.5–8.5 hours nonstop
• Political or operational hiccups — Peru-Mexico tensions, for example, can create delays

A Cautionary Tale: The “One Stop” That Was Actually Two

Years ago, I flew with Avianca (then branded as TACA). The itinerary listed one stop. Fine, I thought.

But in reality? Two stops — one plane change in El Salvador, and an undisclosed landing in Costa Rica, where we sat on the tarmac while passengers got on and off.

We didn’t change planes, so technically it wasn’t a stop… but let’s be honest, it was.
It turned a “manageable” travel day into a marathon. No announcement. No heads-up. Just hours added with no explanation.

That kind of thing sticks with you — and makes you think twice before booking anything with a stopover again.

Miami Connections: No Picnic Either

On another trip, we connected through Miami. American Airlines used to run wide-body aircraft on this route, but not anymore. Now it’s mostly narrow-body planes with tight business class seats — a far cry from the comfort of their Flagship service.

But the worst part wasn’t the plane — it was the airport haul.

I was traveling with our son and my husband, who has knee issues. Even with a solid layover buffer, we were sprinting across terminals, sweating buckets, trying to make our connection.

Add in passport control, rechecking bags, and the chaos that is MIA customs — and it was a full-on stress test.

Price Comparison at a Glance

Fare Type	Approx. Cost (RT)	Pros	Cons
Economy (Nonstop)	$700–$900	Cheapest fare, nonstop flight	Tight seating, minimal perks
Premium Economy (767)	$900–$1,200	Extra space, priority perks, nonstop	No lounge included, not lie-flat
Stopover Business	$1,500–$3,000	Wider seats, potential savings	Longer itinerary, often no lie-flat seat
Business Class (Nonstop)	$3,500–$6,000	Lie-flat seats, full service, quiet cabin	Very expensive, narrow 767 business seats

Prices based on typical non-peak fares as of fall 2025. Premium Economy assumes a $700–$900 economy fare + ~$200 seat upgrade.

Copa’s Stopover Panama Program: A Bonus Worth Knowing

Now, if you do choose a stopover — Copa Airlines offers a genuinely appealing option. Their Stopover Panama program lets you turn your layover into a mini-vacation at no additional airfare cost.

They partner with a wide range of hotels, from cozy B&Bs to chic city stays to sprawling beachfront resorts. It’s a great opportunity to explore Panama City — or just enjoy a slower, more scenic journey — if you’ve got the time and flexibility.

Panama has beautiful beaches and a wide variety of hotels!

🔗 Explore Copa’s Stopover Offers

If You’re Trying a Stopover, Plan Like It’s Two Trips

If you decide to try a stopover (especially in Panama), don’t treat it like an extended layover. Treat it like a mini-vacation. A few travel tips:

• Book your hotel in advance — good options fill up quickly
• Pack a change of clothes/swimsuit in your carry-on — just in case your checked luggage doesn’t make it
• Give yourself a night or two — not just a 12-hour turnaround

It can be worth it — but only if you build in enough time to actually enjoy it.

Why I Usually Fly LATAM Nonstop

For me, the nonstop LATAM flight — especially on the 767 — is about as streamlined as it gets:

• 8 hours flat
• Predictable departure times
• No customs chaos or terminal sprints
• And just enough comfort (especially in premium economy) to feel good when you land
• Premium Economy has separate check-in line
• Priority check-in at LAX

Even when stopover routes look tempting, I always come back to this: Do I want to arrive rested… or exhausted from 14 hours and two airports?

Final Takeaway

Unless you really want to explore a stopover city like Panama, nonstop is the smarter play — especially if you can snag LATAM’s premium economy on the 767.

You’ll avoid:

• Surprise tarmac delays
• Miami’s customs shuffle
• Bait-and-switch “business class” recliners
• And hours of wasted travel time

And most importantly, you’ll arrive in Lima faster, fresher, and probably a lot happier.