Copa Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Copa Airlines who have experienced a cancelled or delayed flight are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU 261, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers when there is a significant disruption. Here, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you should follow to get the compensation you are entitled to from the airline.

Copa Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Copa Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of delay or flight cancellation.

Copa Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers can receive up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim relies on the actual time you reach your final destination.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, including the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight:

Less than 3 hours	Between 3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Distance
€0	€250	€250	All flights up to 1500 km
€0	€400	€400	All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0	€400	€400	All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0	€300	€600	All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Remember you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Copa Airlines isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control happen. This covers bad weather, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will generally not be given compensation as it is not the airline’s fault.

Copa Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines are required to notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before departure. If the airline doesn’t provide timely notification, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, according to the distance of the flight. Nonetheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Even when accepting another flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is determined according to two criteria: the distance of the flight and the length of the delay, in line with the table provided below:

Under 2 hours	2-3 hours	3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Never arrived	Distance
€125	€250	€250	€250	€250	All flights 1,500 km or less
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300	€300	€300	€600	€600	Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Copa Airlines is not obliged to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives around the same time as your original flight. Moreover, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Copa Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Copa Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Copa Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Copa Airlines, it’s essential to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. This is why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re entitled to. You may have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Copa Airlines goes the additional mile to help passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions occur, Copa Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. The right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, becomes applicable when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with food and drinks appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: Copa Airlines offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Copa Airlines arranges hotel room accommodation. This also includes transportation to and from the airport and the hotel.
• Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airline staff at the airport for instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Copa Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to receive a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This flexibility is crucial for minimizing travel inconveniences and assisting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances effectively.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can receive full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
• Rebooking: if you choose to continue your journey, Copa Airlines will provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Copa Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, including in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s essential to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking involves connecting flights, Copa Airlines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether choosing a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations