Copa Airlines offer one of the simplest pet policies. When flying a pet on their airlines, there are only two options, including:

1. Carry-on pets, or as they are popularly called, pets in the cabin
2. Pets transported as air cargo

In-cabin Pet Policy

This pet policy covers the transportation of pets in airline-certified pet carriers with enough ventilation, space, and waterproof bottom for the pet. Pets that suit this policy include cats and small dogs, with the exception of rabbits and other animals.

Transporting pets on transatlantic flights via Copa Airlines is only possible on Mondays through to Friday. However, domestic flights in Panama can convey pets any day of the week as long as passengers do not have international connecting flights. Also, not every individual can travel with pets on Copa Airlines. For instance, children below the age of 11 who do not have the right to move with animals cannot travel with pets.

Regulations for In-cabin Pets

• Animals that are not up to eight weeks are not allowed to fly on Copa Airlines.
• Pets have to be adequately secured in the vessel, denying them the freedom to cause complications on board.
• They must be odorless and non-offensive.
• Both pet and vessel should not measure more than 20 lbs.
• They should remain in the cabin throughout the flight.
• As long as the pet remains in the cabin, the traveler has the chance to nourish it.
• Travelers with pets do not have access to all the seats on board. Such seats include first-line seats, seats in the exit row, and seats opposite a bulkhead.
• The cabin should be well-ventilated, leak-proof, spotless, and spacious enough to house the pet such that none of its parts stick out.
• No oxygen for pets during an emergency.

Air Cargo Pet Policy

Since not all pets can satisfy the size and weight requirements put in place by Copa Airlines, travelers have the chance to explore another alternative – travel as air cargo. This option is suitable for cats and dogs of relatively large sizes or that are too heavy to be conveyed in a cabin. In this case, such pets fly with Copa Mascotas as air cargo.

On international flights, the air cargo option runs from Monday to Thursday internationally. Pets above eleven years old or below two months are not allowed to fly as air cargo. It is worth mentioning that only dogs and cats can fly on international and domestic flights as air cargo.

Regulations for Pets as Air Cargo

• There must be proper ventilation.
• Pet must be able to turn around, lie down, and stand up without hindrances.
• Preferably made of wood, metal, or plastic with rigid or flexible sides.
• During the flight, storage of waste produced should be possible.
• Safety latches should be available to open and close the door without using special tools.
• Must not give in to leakage.

Emotional Support Dogs and Service Animals

In addition, the Copa Airlines pet policy also covers support animals and service pets. It is no new news that the airline recognizes the significance of psychological support pets and service animals. To complement this, travelers suffering from mental health issues and those who are physically challenged can travel with their therapy or assistance animals. Travelers should, however, note that Copa Airlines acknowledge only dogs.

Regulations for Emotional Support Pets and Service Animals

• Dogs are preferably the best option for any route.
• It is crucial that the emotional support dog meets the destination country’s pet policies.
• Only flights to/from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Canada allow emotional support dogs.
• The number of emotional support dogs on a single flight must not exceed two.
• A traveler is only entitled to one emotional support dog.
• Travelers with such pets cannot sit close to the exit door.
• On Copa Airlines, travelers cannot travel with an emotional support dog and in-cabin pet together.
• Animals must not attempt to attack other travelers onboard
• They must be odorless.
• They must not be less than 6 months old.
• They must not portray unhealthy conduct, including snarling, yapping, etc.
• Travelers should always be in the company of their pets throughout the flight duration.
• Perhaps the support animal cannot fit at the traveler’s legs due to size, Copa Airlines can help with reassigning another position with extra space. Travelers can also pay for additional positions to accommodate the animal in a safe space.
• For service dogs, they must have undergone adequate training to adhere to the individual’s directions.
• A traveler is only entitled to one service dog.

Pet Restrictions

Copa Airlines are cautious of the type of pets they allow on board. As a result, they do not allow certain dog and cat species on flights. In the subsequent paragraphs are some of the restricted breeds, species that demand bigger crates and should not fly when the temperature is high, temperature, aircraft, as well as destination restrictions.

Restricted Breeds

• Cane Corso
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Canary Catch Dog
• Argentine Dogo
• English Bulldog
• Tosa o Tosa Ken
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Brazilian Fila
• Burmese cat
• Himalayan cat
• Persian cat
• Exotic Shorthair cat

Breeds That Demand Extra Care and Should Not Fly When The Temperature is High

• Maltese
• Bichon Principal
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chow Chow
• Sharpei
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Griffon De Bruselas
• Bull Terrier
• Holland Pug
• Shih Tzu
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Carlino Mastiff
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• Lhasa Apso
• English Toy Spaniel
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• Pequines
• Japanese Pug
• Staffordshire Terrier

Temperature Restrictions

Among all the locations on a traveler’s itinerary, none should have a temperature that exceeds 85°F. If it does, pets will not be allowed on such flights.

Aircraft Restrictions

Certain restrictions are in place to prevent pets from discomforting other travelers while in transit. First off, aside from the passenger cabin, pets are not permitted in any other part of the aircraft.

For instance, both the business and executive categories are exceptions for pets. Thus, travelers who want to travel in these classes have to do so without their pets. The passenger cabin only has the capacity to house three pets. Anything beyond that is not allowed on Copa Airlines.

Also, for connecting flights that include other airlines, it is not possible flying with pets on such flights. There can also be instances where the travel plan includes code-sharing sections. Perhaps this is the case, pets cannot join in the travel.

Copa Airlines insist that travelers embark on their journey with their pets by their sides until they arrive at their destinations. Therefore, both the pet and its owner must be on the same aircraft, with the pet properly secured in its container.

Destination Restrictions

The restrictions placed on pets differ from one country to another. While some countries receive pets with both hands, giving travelers the full permission to travel with their pets, others frown at the act, not because they care less about them but because they sometimes pose huge health hazards to human life.

The US, for instance, does not permit travelers to come into their country with pets, particularly dogs. Since dogs have become increasingly prone to spreading rabies, the United States has placed a ban on them.

Even upon presentation of a health certificate, showing that the pet is free from rabies or any other infection, travelers can still be denied entry into the US if the dog had been in a risk country for six months or more before the departure day.

To travel on Copa Airlines with a pet, the following destination restriction measures apply.

• Entrance into some countries is only possible when there’s a valid CDC permit.
• If possible, travelers should ensure there’s a microchip attached to their pets.
• To enter some countries, for instance, the United States, a valid anti-rabies immunization record must be presented alongside evidence of good health.
• Some countries do not allow pets that are less than six months of age.
• These measures apply to other pets, including emotional support pets and service animals flying to the United States.

Every traveler who intends to fly with a pet on Copa Airlines must prepare to foot additional charges. The fee depends on additional baggage rates and is charged each way. Below is the respective cost of flying a pet on both domestic and international flights. Note that these costs only apply to in-cabin pets.

• Domestic Flights: Flying a pet on a local flight attracts a cost of 25 USD per container or cage. In addition to that are some extra taxes.
• International Flights: For multinational travels, travelers have to pay 125 USD per container or cage. Depending on the country, travelers may need to pay some extra taxes.

Travelers with pets who due to one reason or the other intend to leave the airport for a couple of hours need to place their pets in quarantine, especially when transiting through Panama. This service comes with an extra charge of 9.5 USD for each pet.

In a situation where there are connecting flights, including international and local flights, the charges and conditions follow those of the international flights.