PetFlightCheck

Copa Airlines Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

Yes. Copa allows dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic and international flights for $125 per flight, per pet, on international flights and connections. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, up to 18 × 11 × 11 in (soft-sided). Your pet and carrier together can weigh up to 10 kg (≈ 22 lb).

Last verified against Copa's official pages

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Reserve your pet's spot through a Copa Sales Office or the Call Center, no later than 48 hours before the flight.
  2. Fill in Copa's Terms and Conditions Form for pet transportation in the cabin and hand it in at the airport on the day you fly, with your pet's current vaccination record and health certificate.

Source: Traveling with pets

Pet fee

$125

On international flights and connections

per flight, per pet

$25

Domestic: Panama City Tocumen (PTY) to/from David (DAV) only

per flight, per pet

  • Fees are plus taxes. In Canadian dollars Copa lists CAD 147–166 for international flights and CAD 29–33 for the domestic route.
  • The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Pets can't fly on connecting flights with other airlines.
  • Each pet pays the fee on every flight: Copa says every pet in the cabin incurs a per-flight fee.

Source: Traveling with pets

Carrier size and weight

The weight limit is 10 kg (≈ 22 lb) including the carrier.

Soft-sided container (maximum)

18 × 11 × 11 in

≈ 46 × 28 × 28 cm (L × W × H)

  • The container must be soft-sided, durable and well ventilated, with secure zippers, and big enough for your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down. No part of your pet can stick out, and your pet stays inside for the whole trip.
  • Pets must be at least 16 weeks old, or 24 weeks old on flights to the United States.
  • 1 carrier per passenger.

Where you can sit

  • Not in the first row, a bulkhead seat or next to an emergency exit

Source: Traveling with pets

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

Copa says:

  • Connecting flights with airlines other than Copa: no pets
  • Boston (BOS), Baltimore (BWI) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU): dogs, including service and emotional support dogs, temporarily not permitted in the cabin or as cargo (CDC)
  • Armenia, Colombia (AXM): pets only Monday to Friday

Breeds

Copa doesn't mention short-nosed breeds.

Also good to know

  • In its Colombia section, Copa says passengers traveling with pets can't fly in Business Class.
  • Children under 11 and unaccompanied minors can't travel with a pet.
  • Your pet must be harmless and odorless, and must not need help during the flight.
  • Copa doesn't carry rabbits.
  • You take your pet out of the carrier at security checkpoints.
  • Oxygen won't be given to pets in an emergency.
  • To or from the U.S.: complete the DOT Transportation Form and bring two copies to the airport.

Source: Traveling with pets

Cargo and checked pets

Not verified yet. If your pet weighs more than 10 kg or doesn't fit under the seat in front of you, Copa says to contact its Copa Mascotas department. The pet page doesn't describe how that service works. Ask Copa if you need to ship a pet in the hold.

Source: Traveling with pets

Service dogs and emotional support animals

  • Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals.
  • Required paperwork: Copa's Terms and Conditions Form for the transportation of service and emotional support animals (two copies at the airport).

Source: Traveling with pets

Other details

  • Emotional support animals can fly in the cabin only on flights to or from Colombia and Mexico, in the Main Cabin, up to 10 kg. On other routes, Copa says to use its pet-in-cabin or Copa Mascotas service.
  • Emotional support animal minimum age: Copa's page says both "The minimum age required for a dog or emotional support animal is six (6) months" and, in its Mexico section, "Puppies and kittens younger than 4 months of age are also not accepted." Confirm with Copa before you book.
  • Service dogs over 10 kg: the page says both that you "must purchase an additional seat" and that Copa "recommend[s] purchasing an additional seat". Confirm with Copa.
  • You can't travel with a service dog and a cabin pet at the same time. A second dog has to go through Copa Mascotas.

Before you fly

Copa can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on September 27, 2026. Confirm the rules with Copa before you book and again before you travel.

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