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Copa Airlines, the flag carrier of Panama, has established itself as one of the most reputable airlines in Latin America. Operating a modern fleet of over 100 aircraft and serving more than 80 destinations in North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean, Copa Airlines has become a go-to choice for travellers seeking a comfortable and reliable flight experience.
A key aspect to note is that Copa Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which is the largest global airline alliance. This means that you can redeem your miles earned through with other Star Alliance partners, providing greater flexibility and options when booking flights with a wide range of airlines and destinations to choose from.
It has a modern fleet of over 100 aircraft: Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 9, and Embraer E190 planes. Its hub is located at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama. Copa Airlines is a major player in the airline industry, known for its quality of service and exceptional reputation.
In this article, we will delve into the various aspects of Copa Airlines to provide a comprehensive review of the airline so that you can determine if it is the right choice for your next flight.
Where Does Copa Airlines Fly?
Screenshot – Flightsconnection.com
Copa Airlines offers vast flight destinations throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. The airline operates flights to over 80 destinations in more than 30 countries, including major cities in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Some of the airline’s top destinations include Panama City, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Cancun, Santo Domingo, Lima, and Sao Paulo. With its extensive network, Copa Airlines provides passengers with a wide range of travel options, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travellers looking to explore different parts of the Americas and the Caribbean.
What Changes Have There Been To Copa Airlines
Here are some changes we’ve noticed over the last year or so. It seems Copa is reducing service to brazil while putting more of its firepower over to North America, especially the USA but some expansion in routes to
Removal by Copa Airlines of many Brazil destinations, especially the North (Recife, Fortaleza, Salvador)
Recently Copa has removed many destinations in Brazil, especially the North of Brazil, such as removing services to cities such as Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador, forcing many flyers on those regions to need to layover in Sao Paulo, Brasilia or Manaus, most likely their 2nd layover making, Copa inconvenient.
Massive Expansion Into North America(Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore and others)
Copa Airlines now flies to Monterrey, Mexico, and expanded into Mexico City’s new Santa Lucia Airport as well, increasing services to metropolitan Mexico City.
For flyers out of Monterey, Mexico (pop 5 million) looking to fly to other destinations in South America prevents an attractive alternative option to laying over in Mexico City when heading South. Monterrey, Mexico, is only a few hour drive South of the US border, but laying over the USA Is an unattractive option; where first of all, Mexicans need a VISA, and even if you have one, you are a Citizen/Resident, every still has to do immigration and customs even for an international to international layover a huge pan in the head. An easy airside transit in Panama City without immigration, customs or any additional security is a much more stress-free option.
They’ve also added many new destinations in the USA, such as Austin, Atlanta, and
Washington/Baltimore BWI.
Copa Airlines vs Delta Airlines For Flying Out Of Atlanta
Copa has been flying to Atlanta for close to 2 years now, and it appears they are having success flying out of the world’s busiest airport. For those who live in Atlanta, the flight to Panama presents an attractive day-free fight option. Delta has a near monopoly on direct Latin America flights, and the vast majority of them red-eye fights, leaving you exhausted when you arrive.
If you have the money and points, you can pay for a layflat seat, but personally, I’d rather do a daytime flight that arrives early in the morning from Atlanta, lays over in Panama in the early afternoon, and then arrives at your final destination in Latin America in the late evening, preventing an exhausting overnight flight.
Some of the major cities that Copa Airlines flies to include:
| In North America | In Central America | In South America | In the Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Belize City | Buenos Aires (Argentina) | Havana (Cuba) |
Chicago | San Jose (Costa Rica) | Santiago (Chile) | Bridgetown (Barbados) |
| Fort Lauderdale | Guatemala City | Bogota | Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) |
| Las Vegas | Tegucigalpa (Honduras) | Cali | Montego Bay (Jamaica) |
| Los Angeles | San Salvador (El Salvador) | Cartagena | Puerto Rico (San Juan) |
| Miami | Managua (Nicaragua) | Medellin | Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) |
| New Orleans | Panama City (Panama) | Pereira (Colombia) | Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) |
| New York (JFK and Newark) | San Pedro Sula (Honduras) | Quito | |
| Orlando | Guayaquil (Ecuador) | ||
San Francisco | Asuncion (Paraguay) | ||
| Tampa | Lima (Peru) | ||
| Washington D.C. | Montevideo (Uruguay) | ||
Caracas (Venezuela) |
In addition to its extensive network of international destinations, Copa Airlines also serves numerous domestic destinations within Panama, including Panama City, David, Changuinola, and Bocas del Toro.
Overall, the Copa Airlines route network covers many destinations, providing travellers with numerous options for business and leisure travel within the Americas. The airline’s focus on providing reliable, efficient, and comfortable service has made it a preferred choice for many travellers seeking to explore the region.
Copa Airlines Customer Service
Copa Airlines offers a variety of channels for passengers to reach their customer service team, such as phone numbers to every country’s reservation centre, email, social media, and in-person assistance at the airport. The airline’s customer support is available 24/7 to ensure that passengers can receive assistance whenever required.
Best Phone Numbers To Call
To contact Copa Airlines, you can call their customer service phone number at +1-800-359-2672 (toll-free for the USA and Canada) or the corresponding number for your country, which you can find on their website under “Contact Us.”
Does Copa Airlines Have Live Chat
There is no direct live chat available on the Copa Airlines website. However, you can chat with Copa’s virtual assistant, ‘Anna,’ through Facebook Messenger. This virtual assistant can help you with flight bookings, reservations, or any other flight-related queries.
Other Ways To Reach Out To Copa
Copa Airlines provides other options for customers to reach out for assistance, including email, social media, airport customer service, and travel agencies. If you have a general inquiry, Copa Airlines Help Center on their website is a great resource where you can find answers to frequently asked questions and submit a form with your inquiry. For more urgent matters, you can contact Copa Airlines customer service by phone or visit the customer service desk at the airport.
Copa Airlines is also active on various social media platforms, where you can send them a direct message or post on their page. If you booked your flight through a travel agency, you could contact them for assistance with your reservation. With these multiple options to reach Copa Airlines, customers can easily get the assistance they need for any flight-related queries.
What To Do If Copa Loses Your Baggage
If Copa Airlines has lost your bag, there are several steps you can take to try to locate it:
- File a Baggage Claim Report: As soon as you realize your bag is missing, report it to the Copa Airlines baggage service desk at the airport. They will provide you with a baggage claim report number and information on how to track the status of your claim.
- Provide Detailed Information: Be sure to provide the Copa Airlines representative with as much information about your bag as possible, such as the size, colour, brand, and any unique features. This will help them identify your bag more easily.
- Follow Up on Your Claim: After filing your claim, follow up regularly with Copa Airlines to check the status of your bag. You can do this by calling their customer service hotline or checking your claim status online.
- Check with Local Authorities: If you believe your bag may have been lost or stolen outside of the airport, contact local authorities in the area where you last saw it.
- Consider Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, check with your provider to see if lost baggage is covered. You may be eligible for reimbursement for the value of your lost items.
Copa Airlines is renowned for its customer service. The airline’s customer service team is known for its helpfulness in addressing passengers’ travel needs. But in some cases, customers have experienced issues with customer service.
Copa Airlines Boarding Facilities
Copa Airlines provides passengers with efficient and hassle-free boarding facilities. The airline offers online check-in services to passengers, allowing them to check in for their flight and select their preferred seat from the comfort of their home or office. Online check-in is available from 24 hours up to 1 hour before the scheduled departure time. Additionally, Copa Airlines has self-service check-in kiosks at many airports, providing passengers with the option to check in and print their boarding passes without the need for assistance.
Copa Airlines also has a priority boarding service, which is available for passengers who require additional assistance or are travelling with young children. Passengers with priority boarding are given priority access to board the aircraft before other passengers. The airline also offers VIP lounges at selected airports, providing passengers with a comfortable and relaxing space to wait for their flight. The VIP lounges offer various amenities, such as complimentary snacks and beverages, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.
Copa Airlines Inflight Services
Copa Airlines offers passengers a diverse range of inflight entertainment and meal options. The airline provides complimentary movies, TV shows, music, and games on personal touchscreens or via their mobile app, with content available in various languages.
Additionally, the airline offers Wi-Fi on most flights, allowing passengers to stay connected. Complimentary snacks and beverages are provided on all flights, along with a wide range of meal options, including special dietary meals. Business-class passengers have access to a more extensive range of meal options, with monthly-changing menus prepared using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and a selection of wines and other alcoholic beverages.
Moreover, Copa provides self-service options for passengers, including online check-in, mobile check-in, and self-service kiosks at select airports. These options enable passengers to manage their travel needs conveniently and avoid potentially long wait times on the phone or in person. In summary, Copa’s commitment to providing quality customer service has contributed significantly to its reputation as a dependable and customer-friendly airline.
Copa Airlines Baggage Service
One of the main advantages of flying with Copa is its extremely generous baggage service. Copa Airlines boasts a transparent and comprehensive baggage policy that provides passengers with clarity on the items they can carry onboard and what they can check in. Notably, the policy is adaptable and permits additional items like musical instruments and sports equipment, subject to extra charges for excess weight, size, or number.
Business Class and Preferred members are entitled to more generous baggage allowances. Ultimately, Copa Airlines’ baggage policy prioritizes passenger comfort and convenience while guaranteeing compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Copa Airlines Baggage Allowance
Copa Airlines’ baggage allowance policy varies based on the passenger’s destination, fare type, and frequent flyer status.
Copa Airlines Carry-On Baggage
1 Free Personal Item Up to 58 x 35 x 22cm (17 x 10 x 9in) with no weight limit disclosed.
1 Free Carry-on bag allowed : 22 x 14 x 10 inches (56 x 36 x 26 cm) and 22 pounds (10 kg)
- Economy passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag.
- The carry-on bag must not exceed 46 linear inches (115 cm) and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
- The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
Copa Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
Copa Airlines has a range of fare types that cater to different passenger needs, with varying baggage allowances. For Economy class, there are three fare types available: Basic, Classic, and Full.
Economy Basic does not include any free checked bags, with a fee of $35 for the first checked bag of 23 kg/50 lbs for international flights or $25 for domestic flights. Economy Classic and Full include one free checked bag, with a weight limit of 23 kg/50 lbs, and a fee of $50 for the second checked bag for international flights or $45 for domestic flights.
| International | Domestic | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | No Checked Bag | No Checked Bag |
Classic | 1X Bag 23kg/50lb | 1X Bag 23kg/50lb |
Full | 2X Bag 23kg/50lb | 2X Bag 23kg/50lb |
In Business Class, there are two fare types: Promo and Full, with passengers allowed to bring two checked bags of up to 32 kg/70 lbs each free of charge.
Promo: 2X Checked bags 32 kg/70lb
Full: 2X Checked bags 32 kg/70lb
Copa Airlines Baggage Fees
Additional Baggage Fees
In domestic flights, additional baggage fees applied as:
| Economy Basic | Economy Classic | Economy Full | Business Promo/Full | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bag | $30 (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) |
2 Bag | $50 (23kg/50lb) | $50 (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) |
3,4,5 Bag | $50 (23kg/50lb) Each | $50 (23kg/50lb) Each | $50 (23kg/50lb) Each | $50 (23kg/50lb) Each |
In international flights, additional baggage fees applied as:
| Economy Basic | Economy Classic | Economy Full | Business Promo/Full | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bag | $40 (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) |
2 Bag | $55 (23kg/50lb) | $55 (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) | Free (23kg/50lb) |
3,4,5 Bag | $180 (23kg/50lb) Each | $180 (23kg/50lb) Each | $180 (23kg/50lb) Each | $180 (23kg/50lb) Each |
For ConnectMiles Prefer Member Silver and ConnectMiles Prefer Member Presidential, Platinum, and Gold, as well as Star Alliance Gold members, the baggage allowance chart and additional fees are as follows:
- PreferMember Silver – 2X 23kg/50lb bags
- PreferMember Gold/Platinum/Presidential – For international flights 3X 32kg/70lb bags
– For domestic flights, 2X 32kg/70lb bags
- Star Alliance Gold – For international flights 3X 32kg/70lb bags
– For domestic flights, 2X 32kg/70lb bags
Excess Baggage Fees
According to Copa Airlines’ baggage policy, excess baggage fees are applied cumulatively for each exceeded the limit. This means that if your luggage exceeds the weight and size limits, you will be charged an overweight and oversized baggage fee.
| Overweight | 24-32kg(51-70lb) – USD 100 33-45kg(71-100lb) – USD 200 |
Oversize | USD 150 each height + length + width= 63″ (159 cm) – 115″ (294 cm) |
Copa Airlines Panama Stopover
Copa Airlines offers a stopover program known as “ConnectMiles Stopover,” which enables travellers to prolong their layover in Panama City, Panama, for up to seven days without incurring additional airfare expenses.
To qualify for the program, passengers must possess a round-trip international flight that includes a layover of no less than six hours in Panama City. The stopover option can be chosen on Copa Airlines’ website during the booking process.
Passengers can benefit greatly from Copa Airlines Panama Stopover program in multiple ways. Firstly, it presents an opportunity for them to explore the vibrant city of Panama and its surrounding areas, which are renowned for their rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions. This program is a fantastic chance for travellers to add a new destination to their itinerary without incurring additional costs. Secondly, participants can take advantage of discounted rates on hotels, tours, and other travel services during their stopover, making it an affordable and convenient option for those who want to extend their layover and explore the city.
Moreover, the program allows passengers to break up their long journey, relax, and rejuvenate before continuing their travel. Finally, the Panama Stopover program allows passengers to experience Panama’s renowned hospitality and its people. In conclusion, the Panama Stopover program offers an exceptional opportunity for passengers to make the most of their layover, discover the wonders of Panama, and create unforgettable travel memories.
Copa Airlines Cancellation Policy
Passengers flying with Copa Airlines can take advantage of a flexible cancellation policy, which permits them to cancel their flights and receive a refund or credit. However, this is subject to the fare rules and terms and conditions associated with their ticket.
- As long as the flight was reserved at least seven days before the departure, passengers are permitted to cancel their flight within 24 hours of booking without incurring any penalty.
- If passengers cancel a flight after 24 hours of booking or less than 7 days before the scheduled departure, they may be subject to a cancellation fee.
- Passengers can cancel their flight online by visiting the Copa Airlines website or by contacting the airline’s customer service centre.
- Passengers may be entitled to a refund in case of flight cancellation by Copa Airlines. Additionally, if the flight experiences significant delays, they may also be eligible for a refund.
- The refund policy and cancellation fee may differ based on the terms and conditions of the ticket and the fare type selected by the passenger.
- If a passenger misses their flight due to personal reasons, Copa Airlines may allow them to reschedule their flight for a later date or offer a credit for future travel, depending on the fare rules and availability.
The cancellation and refund policy varies based on the ticket’s terms and conditions and the fare type chosen. If Copa Airlines cancels a flight due to operational reasons or unforeseen circumstances, passengers are entitled to a full refund or credit for future travel. In case of significant delays, passengers may also qualify for a refund. Passengers can cancel their flight online or by contacting the airline’s customer service centre. It is recommended to review the specific terms and conditions of the ticket before cancelling a flight.
What Are The Best Credit Cards To Get Rewards With Copa Airlines?
BAC Credomatic Visa Platinum card
Using the BAC Credomatic Visa Platinum card, you can earn rewards like ConnectMiles miles. By making purchases or cash advances of US$500 or more within the first three months, you can earn 10,000 ConnectMiles miles. Additionally, you can earn 2 miles for every US$1 spent on Copa.com. These miles can be redeemed for a range of rewards, including travel, merchandise, and gift cards.
United℠ Explorer Card
This card does not directly transfer points to Copa Airlines, but it is a co-branded consumer United Airlines credit card. As United Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, it is possible to transfer miles earned on this card to be used for booking with Copa Airlines.
With the United℠ Explorer Card, you can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months. Generally, United MileagePlus miles are worth around 1.3 cents, but their value depends on how you redeem them. The United Explorer Card can be a great way to collect points and redeem them with Copa.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Copa Airlines is a reputable and reliable airline that provides passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience. The airline offers comprehensive services, including a flexible cancellation policy, a convenient Panama Stopover program, and diverse inflight entertainment and meal options. Additionally, the airline provides passengers with excellent onboard amenities, including comfortable seats, friendly and professional cabin crew, and modern aircraft. With its extensive network of destinations throughout the Americas and the Caribbean, Copa Airlines is an excellent choice for leisure and business travellers looking for a comfortable, reliable, cost-effective airline.
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