Passengers of Copa Airlines who have experienced a flight cancellation or delay are legally entitled to compensation. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to get the compensation you deserve 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 In line with UK and EU laws, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight is delayed. It’s essential to note, that this delay compensation is based on the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you arrive at your final destination. Let’s take a look at how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation is determined by various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the route length of your flight: Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursFour hours +Distance0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km Remember you may not receive compensation for every flight delay. Copa Airlines is not obliged to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances beyond their control arise. This covers severe weather conditions, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In these cases, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault. Copa Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation European Union Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines must notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for compensation of €250-600 per passenger, according to the distance of the flight. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid paying compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met: Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements14 DaysNone7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flightLess than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight When accepting a different flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is determined based on two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, according to the table below: Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km Copa Airlines isn’t required 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 workers go on strike. Are Copa Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004? European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers 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. However, Copa Airlines is not 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. ItineraryCovered by EU 261Flights departing from EU airports✔️ YesFlights arriving at EU airports❌ No How to Claim Compensation from Copa Airlines If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Copa Airlines, it’s important to know that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do: Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case. These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to. You may have plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to do 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 disruptions by providing 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 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include: Meals and Refreshments: 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 provides hotel room accommodation. This also covers 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 another flight. This option is crucial for minimizing travel interruptions and supporting passengers to manage unforeseen circumstances efficiently. 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 shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to choose 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 necessary. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option. It’s crucial to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Furthermore, if your booking includes connecting flights, Copa Airlines shall help in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment. Whether opting for 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.