Copa Airlines, Panama’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, has a strict name change policy to comply with aviation security regulations, requiring the name on the ticket to match the passenger’s government-issued ID or passport. Tickets are non-transferable, meaning full name changes to another person are not permitted. Minor corrections for typos or legal name changes are allowed under specific conditions, typically with a fee. Below is a summary of the policy based on available information.
General Rule
Copa Airlines prohibits full name changes to transfer a ticket to another person for all fare types, including Economy Basic, Economy Classic, Economy Full, Business Promo, and Business Full. Minor corrections for spelling errors, up to three characters, or legal name changes (e.g., due to marriage, divorce, or adoption) are permitted, provided changes are requested at least three hours before departure and before check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The policy applies to unused tickets issued by Copa Airlines for flights operated solely by Copa Airlines (CM flight code). For codeshare or interline flights, the operating airline’s policy applies. Tickets booked through third-party platforms or travel agencies must be amended through the original booking source.
Permitted Name Corrections
- Minor Typos: Corrections for spelling errors in the first, middle, or last name, up to three characters (e.g., correcting “Jonh” to “John”).
- Legal Name Changes: Updates due to marriage, divorce, or other legal reasons, supported by official documents (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
- Name Order Errors: Fixing inverted first and last names to match the ID or passport (e.g., correcting “SMITH JOHN” to “JOHN SMITH”).
- Middle Name or Surname Adjustments: Adding a missing middle name or surname that appears on the passport but not on the ticket, or removing a middle name or surname not on the travel document.
- Nickname to Legal Name: Correcting a nickname to the full legal name (e.g., “Bob” to “Robert”).
- Hyphen Fixes: Correcting or adding a hyphen in the name without altering the first or last name.
Fees
Minor corrections and legal name changes typically incur a name correction fee, often in US dollars, unless the error was made by Copa Airlines or its agents, or for tickets issued through Copa’s direct channels (e.g., website, mobile app, or Copa Connect tickets) for PreferMember Gold, Silver, Star Silver, or Star Gold passengers, which are exempt. The fee varies by fare type, route, and platform (online or offline). For tickets issued in Brazilian reais or by Brazilian citizens including a Brazilian city in the itinerary, exceptions may apply under Brazilian regulations, potentially waiving the fee. If a correction requires reissuing the ticket, a fare difference may apply if the new fare is higher. Additional service charges may apply for changes through travel agencies or airport counters. For specific fee details, contact Copa Airlines’ customer service.
Process
- Name Correction Form: Submit a request via the Name Correction Request form on Copa Airlines’ website, providing the booking reference (six-digit alphanumeric code), ID, and supporting documents (e.g., passport, marriage certificate for legal name changes). This is required for all name corrections.
- Customer Service: Contact Copa Airlines’ customer service via phone, email, live chat, or social media (e.g., X, Facebook) with the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents. Customer service hours are typically Monday to Sunday, early morning to late evening.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Copa Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk (e.g., at Tocumen International Airport, Panama) at least three hours before departure with the ticket, government-issued ID, and relevant documents for verification.
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked through a travel agency or third-party platform, changes must be requested through the original booking source, which may involve additional fees or delays.
- Documentation: Minor corrections require a government-issued ID or passport. Legal name changes need official documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Restrictions
- No Ticket Transfers: Full name changes to another person are not permitted, as this constitutes transferring ticket ownership. A new ticket must be purchased for a different traveler.
- Codeshare/Interline Flights: Name corrections are not allowed for flights operated by partner airlines (e.g., United Airlines, Avianca), even if booked through Copa Airlines. The operating airline’s policy applies.
- Post-Check-in Changes: Corrections are not permitted after check-in begins, typically two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
- Character Limit: Corrections are limited to three characters in the first, middle, or last name for minor typos.
- Single Correction Limit: Only one name correction is permitted per ticket. Additional changes require a new booking.
- Used Tickets: Name corrections are not allowed once any segment of the ticket has been used.
- Other Modifications: Changes to date of birth or gender cannot be made alongside a name correction.
- Timing: No changes are allowed within one day of the flight date for agency bookings.
Free Correction Period
Minor corrections or legal name changes are free for PreferMember Gold, Silver, Star Silver, or Star Gold passengers if the ticket was issued through Copa’s direct channels (e.g., website, mobile app, or Copa Connect). Corrections may also be free if the error was made by Copa Airlines or its agents. For tickets issued in Brazilian reais or by Brazilian citizens including a Brazilian city, fee exemptions may apply under Brazilian regulations. Otherwise, a fee typically applies unless requested promptly with valid documentation. For bookings made in error, a full refund is available within one day of purchase for tickets booked directly with Copa Airlines and for flights at least seven days away, allowing rebooking with the correct name.
How to Request a Name Change
- Name Correction Form: Complete the Name Correction Request form on Copa Airlines’ website, providing the booking reference, ID, and supporting documents.
- Phone: Contact Copa Airlines’ customer service with the booking reference, ID, and necessary documents ready.
- Live Chat: Use the live chat service on the Copa Airlines website, providing the booking reference and correction details.
- Airport Counter: Visit a Copa Airlines ticket counter or check-in desk at least three hours before departure with the ticket, ID, and supporting documents.
- Social Media: Reach out via Copa Airlines’ social media channels (e.g., X, Facebook) for assistance, providing the booking reference and documents.
- Third-Party Bookings: Contact the travel agency or platform where the ticket was booked to initiate the correction process.
Practical Notes
- Verification: Always provide a government-issued ID or legal documents to support the correction request. The corrected name must match the passport exactly to comply with security regulations.
- Timing: Request corrections at least three hours before departure to avoid complications, as changes are not permitted after check-in begins. For agency bookings, changes must be requested more than one day before the flight.
- Middle Name Concerns: Minor middle name discrepancies may be overlooked for domestic flights if the first and last names match, but international travel requires an exact match. Confirm with Copa Airlines to avoid issues.
- Third-Party Bookings: Changes through third parties are complex, as Copa Airlines requires the agency to handle the request, potentially causing delays or additional fees.
- Agent Errors: If the error was made by Copa Airlines or an agent, emphasize this when requesting a correction, as it may qualify for a free change.
- Check Passport Format: For international travel, ensure the name matches the passport exactly, using only Roman alphabet characters (A-Z) without special symbols.
- Brazilian Exceptions: For tickets issued in Brazilian reais or by Brazilian citizens including a Brazilian city, fee exemptions may apply, so provide relevant documentation (e.g., Brazilian ID).
