Copa Airlines Pet Policy: Fees, Rules, and Documents

Flyers are allowed to bring their pets on board while traveling with Copa Airlines for a nominal fee. Certain restrictions and requirements are mentioned in the Copa Airlines Pet Policy, which have to be met by the pet owners. Only small dogs and cats are permitted to be carried in the cabin, in a kennel or carrier. The carriers also need to have some specifications set by the airline. Along with this, the placement of the pet carrier will be under the seat in front of the passenger. Travelers are advised to make an early booking as 3 pets per flight are allowed, which means the seats are very limited.

Copa Airlines Pet Policy Highlights

Copa Pet Policy mentions the main points about the requirements, rules, restrictions, and limits of taking a pet on the flight. Some passengers are not allowed to carry their pets in their cabin, which is highlighted in this policy. 

• Only small dogs and cats are allowed in the cabin, while big ones will be traveling in the cargo hold. 
• The pet in the cabin will have to stay in the carrier throughout the flight.
• Copa Air will charge a fee for keeping a pet on board, whether domestic or international. 
• The minimum age of the pet should be 16 weeks to travel on the flight. 
• The pets must be fully vaccinated, documents should be valid, and kept readily accessible. 
• The combined weight of the carrier and pet must not exceed 10 kg, while the dimensions should be 11 x 18 x 11 inches.  
• The owner has to make sure that his pet is not smelling bad or developing any bad habits. It should be well-trained not to disturb other passengers. 
• Only one pet in one carrier is allowed on a reservation. 
• The Copa Airlines pet fee ranges between $25 to $125 for domestic and international travel. 
• Business Class travelers are not allowed to bring their pets to the cabin as it may disrupt the peace of others.

Copa Airlines Pets In Cabin

Copa Airlines allows pets to travel in the cabin with their owners on most flights. However, there are some restrictions and requirements that must be met. For instance – 

• Pets must be in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of the passenger, and only one pet per passenger is allowed. 
• Additionally, certain breeds of dogs and cats are not allowed to travel in the cabin. 
• Pets are only permitted in the main cabin of each trip in an amount of 3. 
• Pets are not permitted in Business Class.

It’s always recommended to contact the airline before booking your flight to confirm the current policies and to make any necessary arrangements.

Restrictions Apply to Pet Travel With Copa Airlines – You can travel with your pet on all of our flights except those to/from – 

• Armenia (AXM).
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
• Tampa (TPA).

Besides, Copa Airlines pet shipping is allowed from Monday through Friday because the quarantine offices in these locations are closed on weekends.

Book your pets – To guarantee space for your pet, get in touch with our Reservations Center 48 hours before the flight’s departure. If you don’t make a reservation and show up at the airport, pet transportation may not be available.

Copa Airlines Pet Fees

Passengers will be charged for carrying their pets on the flight, as it’s a service provided by Copa Airlines. The fee for domestic travel is much less compared to that for international one, due to the distance and long-haul difference. According to the Copa Airlines Cancellation policy, the pet transport fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. which means if travelers had to cancel the pet reservation for any reason, the fee will not be refunded to them, and he/she will not be able to transfer the ticket to anybody else. 

Charges:

• Domestic routes: $25, excluding tax charges in the country. 
• International Routes: $125, in addition to the extra amount of tax set by the government.
• Connecting Flights between Domestic and International: $125, plus the tax charges. 

NOTE: The above-mentioned charges are for one-way trips; they will be doubled for a round-trip.

Copa Airlines Pet Requirement

Copa Airlines allows small pets to travel in the cabin with passengers on certain flights. In addition – 

• The pet must be in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of the passenger. 
• Passengers should contact Copa Airlines directly for specific information and to book a flight for their pet.
• Pets under 16 weeks of age are not accepted.
• Pet must travel on the flight as a container.

Copa Airlines Pet Carrier

You must transport your pet in a suitable carrier if you plan to travel with it. The transporter must abide by the following standards. The pet carrier must abide by the following standards – 

• The pet along with the carrier must not exceed 10 kg. 
• The carrier must be leak-proof and properly ventilated, and the pet must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably in the carrier. 
• It must be big enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down naturally.
• It should be strong enough to keep the pet from escaping during handling and travel.
• It should feature safety locks that allow it to be opened without a specific tool.
• It must have ventilation holes but must not enable any portion of the pet to escape.
• The carrier must not exceed the following dimension

Width	Length	Height
11″ (28 cm)	18″ (45.7 cm)	11″ (28 cm)

Documents Required for Pet Travel

According to Copa Airlines pet policy, travelers are required to present the vaccination certificates as proof of the pet being healthy and safe, signed by the veterinarian. These documents will be checked during the process of Copa Airlines check-in at the airport.

• Submit the Copa Airlines Pet Travel form.
• Documents needed to enter the destination country.
• Documents required for transit via a specific country.

During the Trip

Pets transported in the cabin must meet the following requirements – 

• The animal can’t have unpleasant odors or bad habits like growling, barking, or attacking other passengers. 
• It cannot occupy space in the aisles and must stay inside its container, which must be set down on the floor in front of the designated seat and not on the seats.
• During security checkpoints, it is the passenger’s responsibility to accommodate and remove their pet from the container.
• It is not permitted to sit in the front row, against a bulkhead, or next to an emergency escape.
• Pets will not be given oxygen during an emergency.

Copa Airlines Pet Travel in Cargo

Copa Airlines doesn’t allow pets to travel as checked baggage. However, those pets that cannot be carried in the main cabin due to their size and weight will be traveling in the cargo hold of the plane. For international flights, the cargo service can be accessed from Monday to Thursday. Additionally, the pet must be aged between 2 months and 11 years to travel in the cargo.

Documents Required for Pet Travel

Following paper work would be required for pets in cargo.

• Proof of vaccination.
• All forms and entry permits required for the destination country.
• Vaccination certificate issued 10 days before the scheduled departure. 

Copa Airlines Pet Carrier for cargo

The carrier must adhere to IATA guidelines such as – 

• The required dimension must not exceed 68 x 76 x 101 cm. 
• Must be adequate room for the pet to turn around, lie down, and rise up.
• Must provide adequate ventilation, but no body parts may protrude.
• It must not leak.
• Must have safety latches that make it possible to open or close the door without the use of special tools.
• It must be possible to store garbage generated during travel.
• Must have firm or soft sides and be constructed of plastic, metal, or wood.

Service and Emotional Support Animal

As per Copa Airlines pet policy, only dogs are permitted as service and emotional support animals on Copa Airlines. Animals that accompany passengers with special needs or who require emotional assistance are welcome on board at no extra cost. The travel for emotional support animals and service animals must be approved on the following conditions – 

• Service dogs are accepted on all Copa Airlines operated routes.
• Only routes that are permitted by local laws, such as those to or from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, accept emotional support animals.
• If you are taking a different route, you can ask for Copa Airlines pet in cabin service.

Terms and conditions for Service and Emotional Support Animal

Under Copa Airlines emotional support animal policy, the animals must abide by the following requirements – 

• Copa Airlines allows service and emotional support animals to travel with their owners in the cabin of the aircraft.
• Owners must provide documentation from a licensed mental health professional or physician stating that the animal is necessary for the passenger’s mental or emotional well-being.
• The animal must be well-behaved and not pose a threat to the safety or health of other passengers or crew members.
• The animal must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times during the flight.
• Copa Airlines reserves the right to refuse transport to any animal that appears to be in poor health, aggressive, or not properly trained.
• The owner will have to pay for any damages caused by the animal.
• The owner must make sure that the animal is properly vaccinated, and the animal should be wearing a collar with a tag identifying them.
• The passengers are not allowed to acquire an exit row seat.
• Only 1 service dog is allowed per passenger.

How to make a pet travel for Copa Airlines?

The Copa Airlines pet policy stipulates that bookings must be made in advance for both cabin and cargo flights. This is so that each aircraft may only carry a certain number of pets. You must speak with the airline’s “cargo offices” if you want to bring your pet on the aircraft. Visit the following page to learn the number that is specific to your nation or region. 

When you speak with the Copa airlines representative – 

• The office must be informed of the pet’s and kennel’s weights. 
• You must provide the pet crate’s full specifications, including its height, weight, and width.
• Pet information such as breed and age must also be provided to Copa Airlines.
• Finish the reservation procedure by checking off the items on this pet acceptance checklist.

The Copa Airlines pet policy is relatively simple and straightforward. If your dog or cat meets the requirements and a seat is available, then there’s likely no problem with flying your pet. However, it’s always a good idea to check with the airline beforehand to make sure you’re in compliance with their guidelines.

Copa Airlines Birds in-cabin policy

Birds are not permitted to be carried as pets according to the Copa Airlines Pet Policy. They cannot be taken either in the cabin or the cargo, including domestic flights within Panama. Any type of bird, even if they are harmless and stay in their cage, is prohibited from flying on the plane with their owner 

NOTE: The small animals allowed in the cabin will replace their carry-on luggage, and they cannot occupy the aisle row or seat. 

Conclusion

Copa Airlines pet policy has been designed to align with the pet’s comfort and the limits of the airline. It caters to the needs of travelers who are willing to travel with their pets without ruining the peace of other flyers. It is important to not only tiny dogs and cats will be permitted inside the main cabin, but also in the carrier, kept under the seat. However, owners are requested to take care of their pets following the set rules. Moreover, any new updates or reformation will be directly uploaded to Copa’s website and app.

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