Pet Policy Overview
Copa Airlines is Panama's flag carrier and the dominant airline in Central America, operating from its strategic Panama City Tocumen (PTY) hub. The airline connects North, Central, and South America with an extensive network spanning over 80 destinations in 33 countries. Copa accepts small dogs and cats in the cabin and offers hold transport for larger animals. The Panama hub provides efficient connections for pet owners traveling between the Americas.
Key Details
Pet Fee
From $50–150 (varies by route)
Pro Tip
Copa's cabin carrier dimensions (45×30×20 cm) are noticeably smaller than most airlines — this will exclude many standard-sized soft carriers, so measure carefully. The airline requires reservations at least 24 hours before departure through their call centre. Copa's connection times in Panama City are typically 1.5–4 hours, which is manageable for cats traveling in the hold. Always verify pet acceptance for your specific route, as some codeshare flights may not accept animals.
Restrictions
Brachycephalic breeds restricted from hold travel. Cabin pets not available on all routes — check specific itineraries. UK-bound flights require cargo only. Minimum age 8 weeks. Health certificate and rabies vaccination required for all international travel. Maximum 2 pets per flight in cabin.