Copa Airlines minors flying alone

Does Copa Airlines offer services for children traveling alone?

Copa Airlines offers attendant service that will guarantee that, from the moment the minor arrives at the counter in the airport, the child will be attended by a passenger service agent until received at their final destination.

Which age and flight restrictions apply for Unaccompanied Minors on Copa Airlines flights? 

On Copa Airlines flights, the following conditions apply when children travel alone:

Unaccompanied Minor Service

The parent or legal guardian must submit the request for the service for the child without a companion to the airline at least 48 hours before travel or at the time of the reservation. Copa Airlines is not responsible for providing the special services required in the absence of a request under these provisions. Information required at the time of booking of the Unaccompanied Minor includes:

• The relationship, name, residence and office address, and telephone number of the adult who will lead the child to the airport.
• The relationship, name, telephone number, and residence and office address of the person to receive the child.
• Photo or identification number of the adult who will bring the minor to the airport, and of the adult who will meet the child upon arrival.

General Rules

• A child may not be the guardian of another minor, unless it is proved that is the father.
• Reservations for minors from 5 to 14 years will not be accepted if their itinerary includes a flight that is the last flight of the day for that route.
• The airline will not be responsible for the contents of the minor’s carry-on bags or for any items of value carried by the minor.
• Unaccompanied Minors may not travel with excess baggage.
• Children traveling alone are not allowed to fly with pets.
• Children should not travel with carry-on baggage that they cannot take care of.
• Minors under medical treatment must travel accompanied by an adult.
• When the Unaccompanied Minor arrives at his/her destination, the responsible adult to receive the child must show documentation that identifies them as the person named on the form that is attached to the ticket holder of the child.

The Unaccompanied Minor Service of Copa Airlines starts at the check-in desk and includes the transfer of the minor through immigration and security, up to the boarding gate and to his/her seat on the plane, but does not include service during the flight itself. Upon arrival at the final destination, the child is accompanied from the plane through customs and immigration, at which point the minor is handed over to the responsible adult.

Charges

Minors from 2 years to 11 years are considered children on Copa Airlines flights. The child fare represents a percentage of the adult rate according to the fare rules. The airline offers discounts on tickets that are purchased online for children between 2 and 11 years, however, the child needs to travel with an adult. However, sometimes the child fare may also apply for Unaccompanied Minors. In some countries where taxes are imposed according to their local laws, those taxes will be imposed in addition to the charge for this service.

On Copa Airlines Colombia domestic flights, a charge of COP 30,000 will be collected for each portion or travel segment. A charge of USD 15 will be collected for travel on domestic flights in Panama. This fee must be paid at the airport, at the time of check-in. If the Unaccompanied Minor’s reservation has domestic flights with international connections, the service charge for international flights will be applied.

If more children from the same family are traveling without an adult, only one charge is applied (for every 4 children), corresponding to the charge for one minor only. A charge for the service for each trip segment will apply. On international flights, the service charges are:

Special requirements for Unaccompanied Minors in Panama

In Panama, minors must carry their original birth certificate, in addition to a valid passport. This also applies to Panamanian minors who carry passports from other countries and foreign minors residing in the Republic of Panama. Remember that are excluded from this provision underage children of foreign nonresidents. The National Immigration Office of Panama allows the presentation of minor identification cards if parents or legal guardians do not have a birth certificate at the airport at the time of departure. Children must meet the following requirements to fly on international flights:

• Be accompanied by at least one parent.
• Provided that both parents are physically present at the airport and appear before the National Migration Service official at the point of departure, it is not necessary to present the notarized letter from the other parent or parents who are not traveling. The official will certify the authorization of the parent or parents, comparing it against the individual´s identity card and requesting that he or she place his or her fingerprint on the document provided.
• If the minor is accompanied by one parent who holds custody, the person must have a duly empowered judge’s authorization for travel, and in the event of one parent’s death, the death certificate of the absent parent will also be required.
• If the minor is accompanied by a third party or is traveling alone, the written consent of both parents is required.

Special requirements for Unaccompanied Minors in Brazil

A court authorization is required for Brazilian children and adolescents who reside outside of Brazil, under the following circumstances:

• If one parent is unable to give authorization because of travel, illness, or unknown reasons.
• If an adolescent or child born within Brazilian territory is traveling abroad, accompanied by foreigners who reside or have their registered address abroad, even if authorization has been obtained from both parents.

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