Terminal T1 hosts 3 airlines. It's Copa Airlines's home turf at PTY. You'll find 10 dining options, 4 lounges, 13 shops here.
Gates 2–29 in T1 are the “old side” of Tocumen
Terminal 1 at PTY is the legacy concourse that Copa Airlines still uses heavily, alongside KLM and Air Europa flights on the international side. Regulars split the airport into “old T1” and “new T2,” and most of the complaints land on the T1 side for cramped seating and rougher late‑night crowds. If you care about comfort, build the buffer and don’t plan a tight turn here, especially for overnight departures.
Layout and connection basics
T1 connects airside to T2, so a Copa-to-Copa or Copa-to-KLM/Air Europa connection usually keeps you inside security between the two terminals. Walking the full T1 concourse can take 10–15 minutes end to end at a normal pace, longer when the early evening bank hits around 18:00–21:00. Signage splits clearly between gates in the low teens and those in the 20s, but the older gates in the single digits feel more crowded and worn than the sections closer to the T2 link.
Food: what’s worth your time
Near many international gates in T1, Olive Garden draws long lines around lunch and dinner; prices land in typical airport-upcharge territory, with mains often over USD 15. Air Margaritaville Panama sits closer to some mid-concourse gates and runs as a full bar-plus-food option, good if you want a sit-down meal and a drink before an overnight to Europe. For something faster, Subway offers predictable sandwiches at lower prices than most table-service spots, and Krispy Kreme does quick coffee-and-donut runs for early morning departures before 08:00.
Cafés for short connections
Viena Café usually has grab-and-go pastries and small sandwiches, which work when you have 30–40 minutes between Copa flights and don’t want to wait on a server. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in T1 pours espresso drinks and tea-based options all day, handy for late-night Europe departures on KLM and Air Europa after 20:00. Cafe Maritano's fills a similar role with counter-service snacks; expect prices a few dollars above city cafés, but lines tend to move faster than at the bigger chains during the morning rush.
Bars and quick drinks
Bar 770 sits near one of the busier gate clusters and runs like a standard airport bar, with beer and basic mixed drinks by the glass. It’s the stop many people hit for a last Balboa or Panama Lager before boarding Copa’s regional flights. If your boarding pass shows a 40-minute boarding window, cap your stay here at 20 minutes; queues at the nearby restrooms can eat the rest of your time.
Lounges: where T1 actually wins
The Copa Club in Terminal 1 is the main lounge draw; it’s used heavily by Copa business-class passengers and Star Alliance elites and can get packed during the evening hub bank around 19:00–22:00. The Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network and The Lounge Panama (separate branding, similar concept) both sit airside and typically accept Priority Pass and other common lounge cards, making T1 friendlier if you have paid access. Tocumen Royal Saloon runs more like a VIP meet-and-greet service with lounge space, and it must be booked in advance, usually via airline or corporate travel programs.
Shopping: duty free and basics
Duty Free Americas, La Riviera, and Attenza Duty Free line big chunks of the T1 international pier, with liquor, perfume, and chocolates stacked right after security and near several gates. For non-duty-free brands, look for Felix B. Maduro for fashion, Kentucky Watch for mid-range watches, and Sunglass Hut for sunglasses at typical global mall pricing. Todo Panamá and Panama Hats sell local-themed souvenirs and the eponymous hats, while Bijoux Terner focuses on low-cost accessories that fit into a personal item.
Pharmacy and gear
Farmacia Metro in Terminal 1 is your stop for basic meds, toiletries, and last-minute items like sunscreen and bug spray, handy before heading onward to beach areas. Adoc and Extreme Planet cover shoes, casual clothes, and travel gear, including backpacks and flip-flops that can survive a week in Bocas or the interior. Prices track with big Latin American mall chains, not discount outlets, so treat this as backup, not primary shopping.
Watch out for the older gates at night
Online reviews repeatedly flag “the older section” of Terminal 1 as the place where service and crowding feel worst, especially on night flights out of Panama, so set expectations accordingly. Seating is limited near several of these older gates, and power outlets are scarce, so charge up earlier near a café or lounge before you walk down. If your boarding pass shows a remote stand departure, add 10–15 minutes for bus boarding chaos in this part of T1.
One last tip
If you have lounge access in T1 and a flight from a far-end gate, check the walk time on the screens and leave the lounge at least 20 minutes before boarding starts; lines at passport control or extra checks for Europe flights on KLM and Air Europa can add an unexpected 5–10 minutes.