Copa Airlines Reviews 

The ground handling staff on my Paraguay–Panama flight damaged my passport slightly while checking it. The passport remained valid, but they refused to let me board, claiming that it was defective. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my passport — I continued traveling to 5 other countries with it, and even my embassy confirmed that it was still valid.

Because of their decision, I lost more than $1,000 and my travel plans were ruined. This was going to be my first flight with this company, but after this experience I strongly advise other travelers to think twice before purchasing tickets from them.

I sent them a formal complaint. I’ll update you if I receive a response.

As a global traveler, I can confirm Copa is the worst of the worst among airlines, and that is no mean feat, because the competition in that department is serious.
Explanation: We have two one-way tickets from Caracas to Chicago for August 26, purchased before the tragedy struck the people of Venezuela.
Nobody flies in nor out of Caracas, nor will be for the foreseeable future, yet Copa is using any delay tactic available to them to hold on to my money for a little longer, refusing to refund the tickets for the flights they objectively will not be able to fulfill. In July I already submitted the refund request (barely, due to barely functional website, which, I suspect, is by design, to discourage people requesting refunds). This request was rejected with the explanation that Copa was only allowing refunds related to Venezuela earthquakes for flights until July 31. Today is August 2, and I have been trying to again request refund of my money, but am having endless problems with their website: one page cannot find my reservation, the other takes me to the end of refund process, but however much I may click the submit button it does not work. These are all cheap tricks from Copa which is desperately hanging onto my money for as long as they are able. Not only is this despicable greed, but they should be ashamed of devaluing the tragedy of thousands of deaths by playing with dates and claiming that my flight is "scheduled" from the completely ruined city.
Despicable company. I will get my money back this way or that, but I will not fly Copa even if they remain the last airline flying.

I've flown Copa dozens of times and had generally good experiences in the past. Flight CM847 on July 24th was the worst service I've had on any airline ever, including budget airlines. The bathroom was filthy and trash can overflowing before we even got on the plane. The crew didn't clean it from the last flight. As we were flying to the US we had to go through a second security check, so we couldn't bring water on the plane. Despite knowing this they didn't give us water for 1.5 hours and didn't give us drinks until 2.5 hours into the flight. When I asked for water later I was told it would be coming in 30 mins. They didn't pick up trash until the very end, and when I asked a flight attendant that was walking by if I could give her the trash she just pointed to the back of the plane and said take it back there.

It feels like such a rip-off when you get charged a $180 for a flight within Panama thats a couple hours , and they charge you $69 for an aisle seat way in the back, and another $60 to check a small suitcase.. That was almost my cost to get from North Carolina to Panama in the first place.

Traveling from Montevideo to Tampa, the front desk staff was extremely slow to process passengers, they would gossip between each other making the queue take forever.
The boarding was beyond confusing forcing passengers to wait past their group.
Overall, its a lowcost, low quality. I only fly it because its the only option, otherwise I'd fly anything else.

Worst experience I’ve ever had with an airline.

First, checked baggage is outrageously expensive. It feels like they’re ripping customers off.

Then, during landing, the pilot had to abort the landing and take off again because, according to the crew, “it wasn’t safe to land.” Everyone on board was extremely stressed.

Finally, they forgot to transfer my luggage during a connection. And of course, they took no responsibility and offered no compensation for the inconvenience or the damage caused. Avoid this airline at all costs.

I am extremely disappointed with my experience with Copa Airlines during what has been one of the most stressful times in my life.

My return flight was scheduled for July 20, 2026, but I experienced an unexpected family medical emergency. My mother, who suffers from diabetes and hypertension, required emergency medical care, and I needed to return to Miami as soon as possible. As her only son, I wanted to be by her side.

I went to the Copa Airlines counter at José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín seeking assistance. I explained my situation, but instead of receiving immediate help, I was repeatedly directed to submit online requests and wait for responses. I complied with every request, including providing the documentation they asked for.

During this process, I spent two days at the airport, anxious about my mother's condition and uncertain whether I would be able to return home in time. Throughout this ordeal, I felt there was very little urgency or compassion shown toward my situation. While I understand that airlines have policies and procedures, I expected a more empathetic and responsive approach when faced with a genuine family emergency.

What disappointed me most was not simply the outcome, but the lack of timely communication and meaningful assistance while I was stranded at the airport trying to do everything asked of me.

I hope Copa Airlines reviews how it handles passengers facing legitimate emergencies. A little compassion, clearer communication, and faster decision-making can make a tremendous difference to someone going through a difficult time.

I sincerely hope no other passenger has to endure the same experience I did.

I requested by phone a wheelchair service on my round-trip Albuquerque-Barranquilla Barranquilla-Albuquerque. My trip started on 06/19/2026 Albuquerque-Barranquilla I received a wheelchair service without issues. when I arrived in Panama; I requested to a wheelchair representative to transport me to the gate where I had my connection, then a Representative took me on the wheelchair and left me by Copa Counter waiting for 45 minutes and never came back. When passed 1 hour I when to the Copa Counter and reported to a Representative I was waiting for 1 hour. He called and reported the issue; In 15 minutes came a representative driving a transportation car taking me to the connection gate. When I arrived in Denver, I requested a wheelchair service to a male representative who answered in highly unpolite manner saying my name was not in the system then I needed to walk to look for my connection. When I claimed my bags I when to United Airline counter requesting a wheelchair service the representative said my name was in the system then immediately a Representative came to pick me up. I am sharing this very bad experience because I have been a frequent traveler for 20 years. Actually, I do not want to travel with Copa Airlines anymore. I had the worse experience in my life with Copa Airlines

If I can, I’ll sue the company. I traveled with my baby, and they didn’t check in my bags with all my baby’s supplies. They turned my vacation into a nightmare. This company, this service, this assistance, and this plane were all terrible. 😣

We booked a flight with a stop in Panama. When we went to our gate ON TIME they told us that we didn’t have a seat yet and that we had to wait if some travelers didn’t show up. We were with 5 people in the same position (no guaranteed seat 💺 even when we had all paid our tickets in full). Long story short…. 7 people didn’t show up … we waited 5 minutes moren and in the last minute, 4 people showed up running and rushing. So only place for 3 of our 5.
We got a hotel stay in Panama where we almost didn’t get food because we came from Copa Airlines and then you could not eat from the buffet. We got a really small and dry piece of meat and a cup of rice with some veggies. We had to buy food ourselves extra. This was a bad experience although the staff was very friendly and respectful. It didn’t feel fair.

This is a direct response to the news that Copa Airlines first approved, then denied a search and rescue team from South Africa, which included 3 dogs.

they have literally cost at least a few people their lives.

if they had denied from the beginning, that would have been fine. but by first approving, they set in motion a chain of permits and approvals and scheduling that could not just simply be redone on the fly. the entire operation fell apart.

for shame!

I had an incredibly upsetting experience with a Copa Airlines gate supervisor. I realised my cabin suitcase had been left just outside the aircraft at the gate and immediately asked if I could quickly retrieve it. It was only around 20 seconds away, but I was refused.

I explained that the bag contained essential items, including diabetes supplies, and pleaded to be allowed to collect it. Instead of trying to help or showing any understanding, I was spoken to rudely and was told that if I stepped off the aircraft to retrieve my own bag, I would not be allowed back on the flight. I felt intimidated and effectively threatened into staying on board without my belongings.

As a result, I arrived at my destination with nothing but the clothes I was wearing. What followed was days of stress, countless phone calls and emails, and significant expense trying to recover my suitcase.

I understand that safety and boarding procedures are important, but I believe there should have been a more reasonable and compassionate way to handle the situation. The lack of empathy shown, especially after I explained that I had essential diabetes supplies in the bag, was deeply disappointing. I hope Copa Airlines trains its staff to deal with situations like this with more professionalism and understanding in the future.

One of the worst airlines ever- apart from the garbage called Arajet. Save your money and fly ANY of the big companies instead. American- no change fees and no hidden tricks. Delta too is good. There is a reason why the ratings for Copa are in the toilet. Because this company is a POS.

In the past 3 weeks we have taken Copa twice and it has been a nightmare with buying the suitcases at check-in. Today, after been told yesterday from their call center that they were having an issue with their system and were not able to do the check in and no to worry a note was going to be entered in the account, I tried all day to do the check in with no luck. Today at the counter in Barranquilla Colombia orlando barrios & Jose Ortega were no help at all. Pretty much blaming the traveler when their system yesterday was the one that malfunctioned. Unfortunately that Spirit is no longer an airline, regardless of their “cheap” status airline their customer service with them never had an issue and did as they promised.

Broke my suitcase. I filed a report at the airport. The report does not have a "report number" on it nor any place for it. They did not get back to me. To ask for more information their form requires a "report number" which I don't have. Called them. On hold for 1 hour. No answer. Customer service is nonexistent.

Used the airline twice - business class. Check in - horrible rude and arrogant. Flights delayed. Business class is barely worth the name. Business class lounge at Panama - I exited as it was filthy and really like a dirty bus terminal with old prison style food. But really the rude staff at check in was inexcusable. In all my vast travel experience I have never felt compelled to write a review or take action but it took flying Copa for that to happen.

They charge you $20 Usa, kilo kilogram overweight

I am writing to formally request a refund for my canceled flight reservation and the additional expenses I incurred due to the lack of communication regarding my rebooked travel.

While attempting to board my flight at O’Hare International Airport, I was denied boarding because of a stain on my passport. At O’Hare airport the Copa Manager on duty at the front desk shared that if I were to get my new passport that morning, that I would be put on the 3:00pm afternoon flight to Panama City, Panama flight. The O'hare Copa manager informed me that they would note on my ticket as a “cancelled flight” instead of a no show and there may be a slight additional fee to pay. I immediately took the necessary steps to resolve the issue by obtaining a new passport as quickly as possible (I had an appointment at 10:30am The Chicago Passport Agency on Thursday May 14th-and was completed by 12:39pm). I then contacted Copa Airlines via phone call at 12:41pm to confirm that I would put on the 3:00pm flight, since I obtained my new Passport within the timeframe. When talking to that Copa representative I was then informed that my “new ticket” had been rescheduled for the next morning (Friday May 15th, 2026) instead of the previously confirmed 3:00 pm flight for the day of Thursday May 14th 2026. When I went to check-in on the new scheduled ticket for Friday May 15th, the email said that the Friday flight was now moved to Saturday May 16th, 2026. I then called the Copa representative and asked for a partial refund (refunding only the leaving Chicago and going to Panama City) and I would keep the Copa flight coming back from Panama City to Chicago on Monday May 18th, the Copa representative then shared that if Copa made any changes to the flight, that I would not receive a full refund and that any changes would cancel the entire ticket. Since I needed the return ticket home, I shared that I would just go to another airline to get a new ticket there and keep my return trip flight with Copa. I then confirmed with the Copa Representative if that would work. She said that since you are not adjusting your ticket, your return flight home would not be affected. I then purchased a new ticket from another airline (Delta) scheduled for Friday May 15th. The Copa Representative then informed me to contact Copa customer service when I am back from the trip to see if there would be a credit or refund that could be issued.

On Sunday, while in Panama City, I attempted to check-in for my Monday May 18th flight. When logging in with my confirmation, the screen said, “Contact a Representative to Check in” While speaking to the representative, she shared that Copa cancelled my flight. I then asked where my refund was at this point since I have essentially paid for an entire new ticket. She said that I have partial credit and that I would still need to pay an additional $300 to book the return flight home. Since I didn’t want to be stranded in Panama City and I must be at work on Tuesday May 19th, I had no choice but to pay these additional fees to get home.

Without clear communication or proper notification, my rescheduled ticket was later canceled. Because of this unexpected cancellation and the absence of timely assistance from Copa Airlines, I was forced to purchase a last-minute ticket with another airline at a significantly higher cost in order to continue my travel plans. This situation caused considerable financial hardship, stress, and inconvenience that could have been avoided with proper communication and support from your airline. This trip was a Special trip for my Birthday-there were 11 Attendees (3 First Class tickets, 2 Business Class tickets included) and I encouraged all the attendees to use COPA because I have had great previous experiences. With this great inconvenience, I missed a day of scheduled excursions with my group as well as a planned birthday dinner. I am hoping that this matter can be handled, I would like to continue to use COPA.

A few of my attendees were looking to use this Airline in the future, however after witnessing me paying all these additional fees and stressing about me getting back home, they were greatly disappointed.

I respectfully request:

· A full refund for the canceled Copa Airlines ticket

· Consideration for reimbursement or compensation related to the additional travel expenses I incurred due to the cancellation and lack of communication

Please let me know what documentation you require, including receipts, booking confirmations, or proof of the new ticket purchase. I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely

Silma Romero is very helpful, Kind and bery accommodating , She answer every question we asked, aThank you and God bless and for sure for the next travel we're going to use COPA again.. Good job Crew at LAX 👏👏❤️❤️

Horrible customer service. I tried to make a change to my flight and was taken advantage by the rep, who only seem to be focused in making the highest sale possible. I tried to make another change within 4 hours, and I was going to be charged another $300 fee making it $600 in change fees alone for a $450 ticket. I do regret calling them for help, they just wanted to charge me as much as they could. It could also be that they incompetent and they just dont give an F about customer service. I am sure that they made good money that day but lost a customer.