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Copa Airlines Carry-On Size 2026 56 x 36 x 26 cm

By Caden SorensonVerified Sep 2026Sourced from the official Copa Airlines policy

Exact Copa Airlines carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.

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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Copa Airlines dimensions
  3. Weight limit
  4. Carry-on fee
  5. Bag fit matrix
  6. Fare class breakdown
  7. Overhead bin size
  8. Avoiding gate-check
  9. What counts as a personal item
  10. Common mistakes
  11. Gate-check process
  12. vs Avianca
  13. Checked bag fees
  14. Special items
  15. Basic economy
  16. FAQ
  17. Sources

Quick answer

Copa Airlines carry-on bags can be up to 56 x 36 x 26 cm (22 x 14 x 10"), with a 10 kg (22 lb) weight limit, and no carry-on fee on any fare, including the Economy Basic fare.

  • Carry-on size: up to 56 x 36 x 26 cm (22 x 14 x 10")
  • Weight limit: 10 kg (22 lb)
  • Carry-on fee: free on every fare, including the Economy Basic fare
  • Personal item: up to 43 x 25 x 22 cm (17 x 10 x 9"), free on every fare
  • Gate-check risk: Low
  • Last verified: Sep 2026
Copa Airlines carry-on maximum size, 56 x 36 x 26 cm (22 x 14 x 10 inches)56 cm (22")26 cm (10")36 cm(14")LHW
Copa Airlines maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (cm)
56 x 36 x 26 cm
Max dimensions (in)
22 x 14 x 10"
Weight limit
10 kg (22 lb)
Fee
Free
Gate-check risk
Low

One cabin bag plus one personal item included on all fares.

Personal Item

Max dimensions (cm)
43 x 25 x 22 cm
Max dimensions (in)
17 x 10 x 9"
Included
Yes, free

Must fit under the seat in front of you.

See checked bag fees & more

Does your bag fit on Copa Airlines?

Check it against every airline

Alliance and loyalty

Alliance
Star Alliance

Copa Airlines cabin bag dimensions and bag size

The maximum Copa Airlines carry-on size is 56 x 36 x 26 cm, or 22 x 14 x 10 inches as Copa Airlines publishes it. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can go over if its wheels push the total past 56 cm. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

Copa Airlines carry-on weight limit

Copa Airlines limits carry-on bags to 10 kg (22 lb).

Does Copa Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Copa Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Economy Basic fare.

What bags fit as a Copa Airlines personal item

Common bag types compared against the Copa Airlines personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag typeTypical sizeOn Copa Airlines
Standard backpack
Everyday daypack, laptop backpack
18 x 13 x 8"Too big
Tote bag
Canvas or leather tote
15 x 14 x 5"Too big
Laptop bag
Messenger or slim briefcase
16 x 12 x 4"Too big
Small duffel
Gym or weekender
18 x 11 x 11"Too big
Purse
Handbag or crossbody
12 x 10 x 5"Fits
Under-seat roller
Mini wheeled bag
16 x 14 x 8"Too big

Copa Airlines carry-on by fare class

FareCarry-onPersonal itemNotes
Economy BasicIncludedIncludedCabin bag included, checked bag extra.
Economy ClassicIncludedIncluded1 checked bag at 23 kg included.
Economy FullIncludedIncluded2 checked bags at 23 kg included.
Business PromoIncludedIncluded2 checked bags at 32 kg.
Business FullIncludedIncluded2 checked bags at 32 kg, full flex.

Copa Airlines overhead bin size by aircraft

All-Boeing fleet of 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Standard US narrowbody overhead space, the 22x14x10 in carry-on fits comfortably.

Avoiding gate-check on Copa Airlines

Business and PreferMember elites board first. On full PTY banks the overhead bins fill quickly, try to board in the first two economy zones if you have a roller bag.

What counts as a personal item on Copa Airlines

Allowed

  • Backpack
  • Laptop bag
  • Purse
  • Small tote

Counts as a second carry-on

  • Second roller bag
  • Large duffel

Common Copa Airlines carry-on mistakes

  • Mistaking Economy Basic for a standard economy fare and being surprised by the checked bag fee.
  • Booking a pet in cabin while expecting to also bring a standard carry-on, the pet replaces the carry-on.
  • Overlooking the 10 kg cabin bag weight limit, which Copa does enforce more than most US carriers.

What happens if your bag does not fit on Copa Airlines

Gate checks happen on full flights out of PTY, mostly for oversized rollers. Tagged at the gate, claimed at baggage belt on arrival.

Copa Airlines vs Avianca carry-on

Copa and Avianca are Latin America's two biggest connector hubs, with Copa out of PTY and Avianca out of BOG. Copa's carry-on is 10 kg and 22x14x10 in versus Avianca's slightly tighter 10 kg at 55x35x25 cm. Copa's Economy Basic charges for the first checked bag (priced by fare family and route via Copa's calculator, no flat fee published), while Avianca's equivalent Basic fare often charges 40 USD or more on US routes. Copa is Star Alliance and Avianca is Star Alliance as well, so status benefits mostly wash out. For PTY connections Copa wins on bank reliability, for South American depth Avianca's BOG hub is deeper.

See Avianca carry-on size
Copa Airlines checked baggage fees
Domestic economy
1st bagNot published
2nd bagNot published
Long-haul / international
1st bagUSD 65-85 (Economy Basic, sampled US routes)*
Weight limit50 lb
Linear dim62 in
Overweight & oversize
51–70 lb$100
71–100 lb$200
63–80 in$150

* The 1st bag price is the figure Copa Airlines publishes, in the currency it prints, and it varies by route, timing, and fare.

Copa no longer publishes flat checked-bag fees: effective April 15, 2026 checked baggage is priced by fare family and route through Copa's baggage calculator, so no flat first or second bag fee is listed here (prices vary by fare family and route); the international first-bag range shown comes from sampled calculator readouts. Copa's official checked-baggage page lists a standard piece limit of 23 kg (50 lb) and 158 cm (62 in) linear; anything over 45 kg / 100 lb must ship as cargo. Economy Basic includes no free checked bag; Classic includes 1, Full includes 2, Business 2 at 32 kg each. Overweight bags pay $100 (51-70 lb) or $200 (71-100 lb) on top of the bag charge, or $30 and $60 under Copa's separate domestic overweight charges; bags from 63 to 115 linear inches pay $150 each.

How to skip the Copa Airlines checked bag fee

  1. Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the Copa Airlines carry-on size.
Copa Airlines special items & sports equipment
Ski / snowboard
Not published
Golf clubs
Not published
Bicycle
Not published
Pet in cabin
$125
Pet as cargo
Not published

Musical instruments: Small instruments count as the carry-on. Larger instruments can be checked subject to oversize fees, or you can buy an extra seat for in-cabin transport.

Pet in cabin 125 USD per flight on international flights and 25 USD on the domestic Panama City (PTY) to David (DAV) route, plus taxes. One dog or cat per passenger; pet plus soft-sided carrier max 10 kg, carrier max 18 x 11 x 11 in (45.7 x 28 x 28 cm).

Copa Airlines basic economy restrictions
Economy BasicCopa Airlines' lowest fare tier
Carry-on allowed
Yes
Personal item allowed
Yes
Checked bag surcharge
Not published
  • No free checked baggage (checked-bag cost varies by route and fare family, priced via Copa's calculator)
  • No advance seat assignment without a fee
  • Lowest ConnectMiles earning rate
  • Non-refundable

Frequently asked questions

What is the Copa Airlines carry-on size limit?

Copa Airlines allows carry-on bags up to 56 x 36 x 26 cm (22 x 14 x 10"), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. The weight limit is 10 kg (22 lb).

What are the Copa Airlines carry-on dimensions in cm?

The Copa Airlines carry-on size limit in centimeters is 56 x 36 x 26 cm. Copa Airlines publishes the inch size as 22 x 14 x 10". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the Copa Airlines hand luggage allowance?

Copa Airlines hand luggage (the cabin bag that goes in the overhead bin) can measure up to 56 x 36 x 26 cm and weigh up to 10 kg. A personal item that fits under the seat is also included on every fare.

What is the Copa Airlines carry-on weight limit?

Copa Airlines limits carry-on bags to 10 kg (22 lb).

Does Copa Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Copa Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Economy Basic fare.

What is the Copa Airlines personal item size?

The personal item on Copa Airlines must fit within 43 x 25 x 22 cm (17 x 10 x 9") and slide fully under the seat in front of you. Must fit under the seat in front of you.

Will my bag be gate-checked on Copa Airlines?

Our guidance rates the gate-check risk on Copa Airlines as Low. It is our own rating, not a figure Copa Airlines publishes. Overhead bin space is usually sufficient on full flights.

Can I bring a carry-on on Copa Airlines Economy Basic?

Yes. Copa Airlines Economy Basic passengers can bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item.

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a Copa Airlines carry-on?

Usually yes. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on suitcase fits within the Copa Airlines carry-on limit of 56 x 36 x 26 cm (22 x 14 x 10"). Confirm your specific bag measures under the limit with wheels and handles included.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Copa Airlines?

Only a small one. A standard daypack (roughly 18 x 13 x 8 inches) is larger than the Copa Airlines personal item limit of 43 x 25 x 22 cm (17 x 10 x 9"). A backpack within that limit counts as the personal item, and a bigger one counts as the carry-on.

How much does a checked bag cost on Copa Airlines?

On international flights, the first checked bag on Copa Airlines costs USD 65-85 (Economy Basic, sampled US routes). The price varies by route, travel dates, and fare. This figure comes from the official baggage information published by Copa Airlines, checked in October 2026.

What are the Copa Airlines overweight and oversize bag fees?

Copa Airlines charges $100 for bags weighing 51 to 70 lb, $200 for 71 to 100 lb, and $150 for bags measuring 63 to 80 linear inches. Bags over 100 lb or 80 inches are generally refused.

Flying Copa Airlines out of these airports?

Check terminal layouts, connection times, and layover tips for major Copa Airlines hubs and focus cities.

Copa Airlines head-to-head comparisons

In-depth comparisons between Copa Airlines and another carrier, covering bags, seats, on-time performance, routes, and loyalty.

Sources

Facts, costs, and travel details in this carry-on guide were verified against the following sources. See our research methodology for how we vet and update data.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.

Helpful guides

Gear, tactics, and packing help for your Copa Airlines flight.

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