Passengers of Copa Airlines who have experienced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we’ll examine your rights and the steps you need to take to get the compensation you have a right 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 the event of delay or flight cancellation.
Copa Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay
According to UK and EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s essential to note that this flight delay compensation depends on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you arrive at your final destination.
Here’s an overview of how much compensation you can get if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by several factors, such as 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 always be compensated for every flight delay. Copa Airlines isn’t required to pay compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control happen. This includes bad weather, airport issues, or a strike by air traffic controllers. 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 261 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 could qualify for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on 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 |
When accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is determined based on two factors: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, according to the table 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 provide 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 bad weather or when airline staff goes on strike.
Are Copa Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?
EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Nevertheless, Copa Airlines isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for 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 regulations. For this reason, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like 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 know the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
These steps will help you file your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. You might 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 support passengers during travel interruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.
Right to Care
When flight disruptions happen, Copa Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, kicks in 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 accommodation. This covers transportation between 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 can choose to get a full refund or rebook on a different flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel disruptions and helping passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances successfully.
- Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get 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 will 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 make this process as smooth as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.