Skip to content
Flight Deals

Copa Airlines

Panama's flag carrier and the Hub of the Americas

  • PanamaCountry
  • CMIATA Code
  • CMPICAO Code
  • Star AllianceAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines is Panama’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, connecting North, Central and South America and the Caribbean through its Panama City hub. Every fare includes a 10 kg carry-on, Economy Classic adds a 23 kg bag, and the Panama Stopover now allows up to 15 days at no extra airfare. This guide covers the fare families, baggage, power bank rules, Starlink Wi-Fi and how Copa compares with Avianca and United.

Copa was founded in 1944 and is consistently one of the world’s most punctual airlines. Every flight starts or ends in Panama City, where flights are timed in waves for quick connections.

Copa Airlines flights to Panama City
Photo: Jacqueline Brandwayn / Unsplash

Panama Stopover

Copa’s Panama Stopover lets you break your journey in Panama City and now allows stays of up to 15 days, up from 7, at no extra airfare. It attracted about 215,000 visitors in 2025.

It is an easy way to add the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo or the San Blas islands to a trip between North and South America.

Power Bank Rules on Copa

Copa follows the ICAO power bank rules in force worldwide since 27 March 2026:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
  • Up to 100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh only with the airline’s approval.
  • No charging power banks, or devices from them, during the flight.
  • Never pack power banks in checked bags.

Check-In and Connections

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Connections at Tocumen are usually short and in the same terminal area, but make sure you meet the entry rules of your final destination.

Allow at least three hours for check-in when departing from other international airports.

How to Find Cheap Copa Flights

Cheap Copa Airlines flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Use the Panama Stopover to visit two destinations for one fare.
  • Compare Basic and Classic after adding a bag.
  • Avoid Christmas and Easter week.
  • Book long routes to South America early.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Copa next to Avianca, United and others.

Copa vs Avianca vs United

All three are Star Alliance airlines serving Latin America.

  Copa Avianca United
Hub Panama City Bogotá Houston, Newark and others
Cheapest fare cabin bag 10 kg carry-on Light: 10 kg carry-on (international) Basic Economy: carry-on rules vary
Lie-flat business No Yes on Boeing 787 Yes on long-haul
Best for One-stop trips across the Americas Colombia and Central America US connections

See our Avianca guide and United Airlines guide to compare.

Arriving in Panama City

Tocumen International Airport is about 24 km from central Panama City. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and the Metro serve the airport.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Copa Airlines a Good Airline?

Yes. Copa is one of the best ways to travel across the Americas, with excellent punctuality, a well-timed hub, a 10 kg carry-on on every fare and a free Panama stopover. The trade-off is no lie-flat seats.

For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Copa’s fare class page, TravelDailyNews on Copa’s 2026 plans and ICAO’s 2026 power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official Copa Airlines website before you travel.

 

Star Alliance & Airline Partnerships

Copa joined Star Alliance in 2012. You can connect from Copa onto partners such as United, Avianca, Air Canada and Lufthansa on one ticket, and earn or redeem ConnectMiles on alliance flights.

Learn more about Star Alliance

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Copa has a long partnership with United and codeshares with several other airlines, extending its network across the United States and beyond.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Every Copa flight starts or ends at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City. Connections are timed in banks throughout the day, so transfers between North and South America are usually short and simple.

Popular Copa Airlines Routes

Copa flies to about 88 destinations in 32 countries, all through Panama City. Its most popular routes link Panama with Miami, Bogotá, Mexico City and San José, as well as long routes to New York, Los Angeles, São Paulo and Buenos Aires. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Copa Airlines Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Copa sells Economy in three fare families: Basic, Classic and Full. Business class comes in Promo and Full. The fare family decides how flexible your ticket is: only the Full fares in each cabin can be changed without a change fee and refunded.

On the other fares, changes are allowed for a fee, subject to availability, and you pay any fare difference. Note that the fare family is about flexibility, not the cabin; you choose Economy or Business separately.

  • Economy Basic Changes for a fee plus fare difference; non-refundable.
  • Economy Classic Changes for a fee plus fare difference; non-refundable.
  • Economy Full No change fee (fare difference may apply); refundable.
  • Business Promo Changes for a fee; non-refundable.
  • Business Full No change fee (fare difference may apply); refundable.
  • Flights to or from the USA Under US rules, you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • Missed flight (no-show) A non-refundable ticket is usually lost, though some taxes may be refunded.
  • How to change or cancel Use My Trips on copaair.com or the Copa app.

Copa Airlines Seat Selection & Additional Services

Seat selection with Copa depends on your fare family. Economy Basic pays for any seat, Classic includes regular seats for free, and Full includes both regular and Premium seats at no extra cost. Copa began rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi in July 2026, the first Latin American airline to do so, and meals and drinks are served on most flights.

Because the fleet is all Boeing 737, Business Class has wide recliners rather than lie-flat beds, even on longer routes. You can add bags, choose seats and request services in My Trips; online check-in opens 24 hours before departure.

  • Economy Basic Regular and Premium seats are paid.
  • Economy Classic Regular seats free; Premium seats paid.
  • Economy Full Regular and Premium seats free.
  • Business Wide recliner seat (no lie-flat beds on the 737 fleet).
  • Wi-Fi Starlink Wi-Fi rolling out across the fleet from July 2026.
  • Extra bags Pre-pay online for a lower price than at the airport.
  • Copa Club lounge At Tocumen, open to Business passengers, eligible ConnectMiles and Star Alliance Gold members, and paid entry.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs, unaccompanied minor service or medical support in advance.

Copa Airlines Baggage Allowance

All Copa fares include a carry-on bag of up to 10 kg plus a personal item. Checked bags depend on your fare family: Economy Basic doesn't include any, Classic includes one and Full includes two. Business class includes two heavier bags.

Economy checked bags can weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb), and Business bags up to 32 kg (70 lb). Allowances can vary on some routes, so always check the bag allowance shown on your booking.

  • Carry-on (all fares) 1 bag up to 10 kg plus a personal item.
  • Economy Basic No free checked bags; first and second 23 kg bags are paid.
  • Economy Classic 1 checked bag up to 23 kg (50 lb).
  • Economy Full 2 checked bags up to 23 kg (50 lb) each.
  • Business Promo and Full 2 checked bags up to 32 kg (70 lb) each.
  • Extra bags Cheaper when bought online before travel.
  • Elite members ConnectMiles and Star Alliance elites get extra baggage.

ConnectMiles: Copa Airlines Loyalty Programme

ConnectMiles is Copa's free loyalty programme. You earn miles on Copa and Star Alliance flights and with partners, and redeem them for award flights and upgrades. How many miles you earn depends on your fare: from 50% on Economy Basic up to 300% on Business Full.

Frequent flyers can earn elite status in four tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Presidential.

  • Silver Priority services and recognition as Star Alliance Silver.
  • Gold Recognised as Star Alliance Gold, with lounge access and extra baggage on Star Alliance flights.
  • Platinum Gold benefits plus bigger mileage bonuses and higher upgrade priority.
  • Presidential Copa's top tier, with the best upgrade priority and benefits.
  • Miles by fare Economy Basic earns 50%, Classic 100%, Full 175%, Business Promo 175% and Business Full 300% of miles flown.
  • Star Alliance Earn and redeem miles on all Star Alliance airlines.
Join or log in on the Copa Airlines website

Copa Airlines: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Copa Airlines’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is CM. It appears in flight numbers (for example CM 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is CMP, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Copa Airlines part of?

It is a member of Star Alliance. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is Copa Airlines headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Panama City, Panama.

04When was Copa Airlines founded?

The airline was founded in 1944.

05What are Copa Airlines’ main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Panama City (PTY) – Main Hub.

06What is Copa Airlines’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called ConnectMiles. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07Does Copa Airlines offer online check-in?

Yes. Online check-in is available through the airline's official website. Check-in opening and closing times depend on the route and airport, so confirm them for your flight before you travel.

08How many bags can I check with Copa Airlines?

Economy Basic includes no checked bags, Economy Classic includes one 23 kg bag and Economy Full includes two. Business class includes two bags of up to 32 kg each.

09What is Copa Airlines' carry-on allowance?

Every fare includes one carry-on bag of up to 10 kg plus a personal item.

10Can I get a refund on a Copa ticket?

Economy Full and Business Full fares are refundable. Basic, Classic and Business Promo are non-refundable. For flights to or from the USA booked at least 7 days ahead, you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund.

11Is seat selection free on Copa?

It depends on the fare. Economy Classic includes regular seats, Economy Full includes regular and Premium seats, and Economy Basic pays for any seat.

12Why do Copa flights stop in Panama?

Copa runs a hub-and-spoke network: almost every flight goes through Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. That lets Copa connect cities across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean with a single stop.

Copa Airlines, its logo and trademarks are the property of Copa Airlines and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Copa Airlines unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.