Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Copa or Volaris?

Copa: 22 × 14 × 10 in (56 × 36 × 25 cm), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Volaris: 55 × 40 × 25 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.8 in). Volaris allows the larger bag.

Do Copa and Volaris include a carry-on on basic economy?

Copa: Economy Basic includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag. Volaris: The Basic fare includes only a personal item.

Where do Copa and Volaris fly from?

Copa's main hubs are Panama City (PTY). Volaris's are Guadalajara (GDL), Tijuana (TIJ), Mexico City (MEX). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Copa and Volaris partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Copa: Star Alliance; Volaris: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

CM vs Y4 · 2026 comparison

Copa vs Volaris

Copa wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Volaris wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Copa

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Volaris

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Copa wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Volaris wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Copa: 22 × 14 × 10 in · Volaris: 55 × 40 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Copa: Included on every fare · Volaris: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Copa: 1 free bag · Volaris: Up to $120

Side by side

	Copa	Volaris
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 10 in	55 × 40 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	None published
Personal item	17 × 10 × 9 in	45 × 35 × 20 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	Up to $120
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	ConnectMiles	None
Main hubs	PTY	GDL, TIJ, MEX

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Copa allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 10 in (56 × 36 × 25 cm), and Volaris up to 55 × 40 × 25 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), so Volaris's is roomier.

Copa includes it on every fare, while Volaris charges for it on its cheapest fare.

Copa caps carry-ons at 10 kg (22 lb); Volaris publishes no limit.

Personal items: 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on Copa, and 45 × 35 × 20 cm (17.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in) on Volaris.

Copa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Latin America, and a first checked bag on Volaris costs Up to $120 on flights between the U.S. and Mexico.

Basic economy

Copa (Economy Basic): Economy Basic includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Volaris (Basic): The Basic fare includes only a personal item.

Loyalty and where they fly

Copa is in Star Alliance and Volaris is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: ConnectMiles (Copa) and none (Volaris).

Copa's main hubs are Panama City (PTY). Volaris's are Guadalajara (GDL), Tijuana (TIJ), Mexico City (MEX). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Copa if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from PTY

Choose Volaris if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
nonstops from GDL, TIJ, MEX

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.

Copa vs Volaris FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. Copa wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags; Volaris wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.

Keep comparing

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

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