Copa Airlines Baggage Policy

Copa Airlines baggage policy includes checked luggage with all fares (except Basic Economy) and 2 checked bags for Business Class fares. Bags exceeding the standard baggage allowance in weight, size, or number of pieces will incur additional charges.

Below is a snapshot of Copa Airlines baggage policy:

1. Copa Airlines baggage allowance for carry-on items is:
   1. 1 Carry-on Bag Up to 36 x 26 x 56cm (14 x 10 x 22in) and 22lb/10kg. 
   2. 1 Personal Item Up to 58 x 35 x 22cm (17 x 10 x 9in) with no weight limit disclosed.
2. Copa Airlines checked baggage allowance is as follows:
   1. Domestic flights
      1. Economy Basic Nil (costs USD 20 per 50lb/23kg bag)
      2. Economy Classic 1 x 50lb/23kg 
      3. Economy Full 2 x 50lb/23kg
      4. Business Class 2 x 50lb/23kg
   2. International flights
      1. Economy Basic Nil (costs USD 30 per 50lb/23kg bag)
      2. Economy Promo/Classic 1 x 50lb/23kg 
      3. Economy Full (Y, B, M) 2 x 50lb/23kg per bag
      4. Business 2 x70lb/32kg per bag
3. The additional baggage fee is as follows:
   1. Domestic flights (all classes) USD 40
   2. International flights
      1. Second bag—Economy Promo/Classic USD 40 
      2. Economy Full (Y, B, M) USD 175 per extra bag 
      3. Business Class USD 175 per extra bag
4. The overweight baggage fee is as follows:
   1. Domestic flights (51-70lb/24-32kg) USD 30 
   2. International flights
      1. Bags between 51-70lb/24-32kg) USD 100 
      2. Bags between 71-100lb/33-45kg for USD 200 

Exception. On flights to/from Bahamas and Cuba, checked bags must not exceed 70lb/32kg.

5. Oversized bags, i.e., bags measuring between 159–294cm (62.6–115in) are not allowed on domestic flights within Panama. The oversized baggage fee on international flights is USD 150 for bags measuring between 159–294cm (62.6–115in). 
6. Copa Airlines has additional restrictions on overweight and oversized bags during certain dates, known as embargo periods.
7. Copa Airlines does not accept luggage payments online in advance—so you must purchase excess baggage at the airport.
8. Bags weighing more than 100lb/45kg (70lb/32kg to/from Cuba and Bahamas) and/or whose total linear dimensions (L + W + H) exceed 294cm/115in (excluding wheels) will not be accepted, and must be transported as cargo. 
9. Excess baggage fees are cumulative, unless stated otherwise. If the weight and size exceed your baggage allowance limits, you will be charged an overweight baggage fee plus an oversized baggage fee.

Carry-on Baggage Allowance

An illustration of Copa Airlines carry-on baggage dimensions

An illustration of Copa Airlines personal carry-on item dimensions

Copa Airlines baggage policy allows all passengers to bring 1 carry-on baggage item and 1 personal item for free, subject to certain limits, as explained below. 

• FREE Carry-on Baggage Item (1)
  • Max. size 118cm/46in (L + W + H)
    36cm x 26cm x 56cm (L x W x H)
    14in x 10in x 22in (L x W x H) 
  • Max. weight 22lb/10kg
    
• FREE Personal Item (1) 90cm/36in (L + W + H)
  • Max. size 25cm x 22cm x 43cm/10in x 9in x 17in (L x W x H)
    Must fit under your front seat
  • Examples Laptop bag, purse, handbag, backpack, any small item
    
• FREE Other Item (1) 
  • Examples A jacket, coat, or assistive device such as:
    walker, walking stick, crutches, wheelchair, wheelchair batteries, portable respirator, infant items, wedding dress, etc.
• FREE Lap Infant Carry-on Item (1)
  • Examples Car seat, diaper bags, or collapsible stroller, subject to size limitations.

Checked Baggage Allowance

You can bring 1 or 2 bags as checked baggage for your trip—subject to fare type and destination, as well as weight and size limits. 

Domestic Flights

International Flights

Additional Baggage Fees

Per Copa Airlines baggage policy, the excess baggage fees are cumulative and apply for each exceeded limit. This means if your luggage is overweight and oversized, you will be charged an overweight baggage fee plus an oversized baggage fee.

Copa Airlines baggage fees for domestic and international flights are given below.

Additional Baggage Fees—Domestic Flights (within Panama)

• All Classes USD 40

Additional Baggage Fees—International Flights

• Economy Promo/Classic
  • Second bag USD 40
  • Extra bag USD 175
• Economy Full (Y, B, M)
  • Extra bag USD 175
• Business Class USD 175

Excess Baggage Fees

According to Copa Airlines baggage policy, bags measuring between 159–294cm (62.6–115in) are considered oversized bags. The overweight and oversized baggage fees on domestic and international flights are given below. 

• Domestic flights (within Panama)

• Overweight fee USD 30 24–32kg (51–70lb)
• Oversized fees Oversized bags are not allowed
• International flights

• Overweight fees USD 100 for 24–32kg (51–70lb)
  USD 200 for 33–45kg (71–100lb)
• Oversize fees (159–294cm/62.6–115in) USD 150 each 

Waivers and Exclusions

• PreferMember Silver 2 x 23kg/50lb bags
• PreferMember Gold/Platinum/Presidential 3 x 32kg/70lb bags (international) 

2 x 32kg/70lb bags (domestic)

• Star Alliance Gold 3 x 32kg/70lb bags (international) 

2 x 32kg/70lb bags (domestic)

Note

• If flying from/to Bahamas and Cuba, individual bags exceeding 70lb/32kg will not be permitted.
• Bags exceeding 100lb/45kg will be sent as cargo. 
• Puerto Rico and the United States do not permit baggage/personal item shipment by cargo.
• Excess baggage fees are cumulative based on checked baggage conditions. If both size and weight are in excess of the limit, both fees will be added and charged.

What to Do if Your Baggage is Damaged or Delayed

If you find that your baggage arrives in a damaged condition or is missing on Copa Airlines:

• If you’re at the airport, you must notify Copa’s Baggage Services Office at the airport immediately after landing. 
• If you’ve left the airport, you must report in writing within 4 hours of landing on a domestic flight, or within 7 days of landing on an international flight. 

You can also file a claim by filling out the Baggage Claim form, or call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 if you think your bag was damaged during inspection.

Copa Airlines Sports Equipment Policy

Per Copa Airlines’ sports equipment policy, sports equipment falls into the following 2 categories: 

1. Small sports equipment 
2. Large sports equipment

Small sports equipment. Passengers can carry small sports equipment per the permissible baggage allowance (i.e., weight, size, and number of items) specified in their fare. If your sports equipment exceeds your baggage allowance, you will have to pay for overweight, oversize, and/or excess baggage.

ConnectMiles PreferMembers and Star Alliance Gold passengers will have to pay USD 150 instead of USD 175 per additional piece of excess baggage. 

List of small sports equipment

• Archery equipment
• Bowling equipment
• Camping equipment
• Fishing equipment
• Golf equipment
• Paintball equipment
• Parachuting equipment
• Tennis equipment

Large sports equipment. Passengers traveling with large sports equipment must pay USD 50 on domestic flights and USD 150 on international flights—subject to the following limits: 

• Max. weight 100lb/45kg
• Max. size 294 linear centimeters/115 linear inches 

ConnectMiles PreferMembers and Star Alliance Gold passengers will have to pay USD 150 instead of USD 175 per additional piece of excess baggage. 

List of large sports equipment

• Bicycles
• Diving equipment
• Inflatable Kayaks
• Kitesurfing equipment
• Paddle boarding equipment
• Pole Vaulting equipment
• Ski equipment
• Surfboarding/Bodyboarding equipment
• Windsurfing equipment
• Recreational firearms

How to Pay Your Baggage Fee on Copa Airlines 

Unfortunately, Copa Airlines does not allow you to pre-pay your baggage fees online. This means if you’re carrying any excess baggage, you will have to pay for it at the airport. 

Copa Airlines Musical Instruments Policy

Per Copa Airlines musical instruments policy, you can carry your musical instruments in any of these ways: 

1. Musical Instrument as a Replacement for a Personal Carry-on Item
   You can carry small musical instruments on board in place of your personal item—such as a ukelele, traverse flute, or clarinet—subject to the following conditions:
   1. The combined dimensions (L + W + H), incl. case, must not exceed 90 linear centimeters (36 linear inches). 
   2. If the total size exceeds the dimensions mentioned above, the musical instrument must be transported as checked baggage. Excess baggage fee will be charged, if applicable.
      
2. Musical Instrument as a Replacement for Carry-on Baggage
   You can carry small musical instruments on board in place of your personal item—such as a guitar, violin, saxophone, trumpet, viola, or base guitar—subject to the following conditions:
   1. The combined dimensions (L + W + H), incl. case, must not exceed 118 linear centimeters (46 linear inches). 
   2. The case must fit in the overhead bin.
   3. If the total size exceeds the dimensions mentioned above, the musical instrument must be transported as checked baggage. Excess baggage fee will be charged, if applicable. 

Exceptions. Musical instruments like guitars, violins, and banjos can be carried on board even if their size slightly exceeds the normal carry-on size limits—provided that they fit into the overhead bin.

3. Musical Instrument as Checked Baggage
   You can carry larger musical instruments as checked baggage—such as trombones, keyboards, French horns, drum set cymbals, etc.—subject to the following conditions:
   1. The combined dimensions (L + W + H), incl. the case, must not exceed 158 linear centimeters (62 linear inches, and the total weight must not exceed 50lb/23kg.
   2. Excess, overweight, or oversize baggage fees will apply if the baggage allowance is exceeded. 

Note. You must place the musical instrument by your window seat or behind a class or screen division. Also, the musical instrument must not obstruct any signage on the aircraft.

4. Musical Instrument on a Paid Seat
   If your musical instrument does not fit in the overhead bin or under your front seat, you can buy an additional seat for it. The instrument must fall within the following weight and size restrictions:

• Max. weight 50lb/23kg
• Max. dimensions (L + W + H) 294cm/62in

Note. The following musical instruments must always be paid for (USD 150):

• Double Bass
• Tuba
• Bass Drum 

What to Do If Something is Missing from Your Bag

If you find something missing from your bag, you must file a report with the Baggage Services Office at the airport immediately after arriving—and no later than 7 days after arrival. 

To follow up, contact the same Baggage Services Office where you reported the loss. 

Copa’s Liability for Lost and Damaged Bags

Copa’s liability for lost, damaged, or delayed bags (including contents)—except mobility aids, assistive devices, and wheelchairs—will not exceed: 

• For international flights to which the Warsaw Convention applies—Swiss Francs 250 per kg and Swiss Francs 5,000 per passenger for non-documented baggage. 
• For international flights to which the Montreal Convention applies—SDR 1,288 (approx. USD 1,780) per passenger, for documented and non-documented baggage.
• For international itineraries (checked or unchecked baggage)—SDR 1,288 Rights (approx. USD 1,780) per passenger.

Copa Airlines Onboard Services 

A view of Copa Airlines onboard services

In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) 

Copa’s in-flight entertainment services include music, movies, and other entertainment—in Spanish, English and Portuguese. After downloading the app, the inflight entertainment system (Copa Showpass) can be viewed and heard on personal devices.

Meals and Beverages

Meals and beverages provided onboard will depend on your Copa Airlines fare type—as well as destination, duration, and time of flight. You’re also allowed to bring your own food and snacks, except alcoholic beverages.

Panorama of the Americas

With an audience of 8.6 million, Copa’s official print magazine covers topics on science, tourism and literature. The video program—available in English and Spanish (Boeing 737-700 and 800)—takes you through history, culture and traditions in a fun way. 

Copa Airlines Frequent Flyer Program—Connect Miles

Copa Airlines frequent flyer program, ConnectMiles, is free to join. 

After you enroll for ConnectMiles,  you can: 

• Earn miles flying on Copa Airlines plus partner airlines 
• Earn miles on hotel reservations, car rentals and more 
• Earn miles on everyday purchases through ConnectMiles credit cards 
• Get award tickets to travel on Copa’s partner airlines 
• Use your air-miles for upgrades and extra travel

Copa Airlines Flight Destinations

Copa Airlines flies to more than 81 cities in 33 countries across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.  

Popular Destinations 

Some of the destinations you can fly to on Copa Airlines booking include:

• Argentina
  • Buenos Aires
  • Cordoba
  • Mendoza
  • Rosario
  • Salta
• Aruba
  • Oranjestad, Aruba
• Bahamas
  • Nassau
• Barbados
  • Bridgetown
• Belize
  • Belize City
• Bolivia
  • Santa Cruz
• Brazil
  • Belo Horizonte
  • Brasília
  • Manaus
  • Porto Alegre
  • Recife
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Salvador
  • Sao Paulo
• Chile
  • Santiago
• Colombia
  • Barranquilla
  • Bogota
  • Bucaramanga
  • Cali
  • Cartagena
  • Medellin
  • Pereira
  • San Andres Island
• Costa Rica
  • Liberia (Costa Rica)
  • San Jose, CR
• Cuba
  • Havana
  • Holguín
  • Santa Clara
• Curaçao Island
  • Curacao
• Dominican Republic
  • Punta Cana
  • Santiago de los Caballeros
  • Santo Domingo
• Ecuador
  • Guayaquil
  • Quito
• El Salvador
  • San Salvador
• Guatemala
  • Guatemala City
• Guyana
  • Georgetown
• Haiti
  • Port-au-Prince
• Honduras
  • San Pedro Sula
  • Tegucigalpa
• Jamaica
  • Kingston
  • Montego Bay
• Nicaragua
  • Managua
• Panama
  • David
  • Panama City
• Paraguay
  • Asunción
• Peru
  • Chiclayo
  • Lima
• Sint Maarten Island
  • Saint Martin
• Suriname
  • Paramaribo
• Trinidad and Tobago
  • Port-of-Spain
• Uruguay
  • Montevideo

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Frequently Asked Questions on Copa Airlines Baggage Policy