Flying to Cuba

General Information

Cuba has over sixty airports, around twenty of which have some commercial activity. Among these, ten also serve international flights. The tourist areas and Havana handle most of the traffic, with dozens of routes—often seasonal—primarily to Europe or Canada. Havana’s airport is the country’s busiest, with over 4 million passengers per year, far ahead of Varadero (1.5 million).

Types of Flights

Local Airlines

There are only four Cuban carriers, all state-owned. Cubana is the national airline, based in Havana and the largest. Aero Caribbean, Aerogaviota, and Aerotaxi are its three smaller complementary airlines, mainly handling domestic, regional, or charter services.

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost Flights

While the country receives regular flights, the destination is also served by charters and seasonal routes, primarily bringing European and especially Canadian visitors.

Promotions and Special Offers

Like all highly tourist-driven destinations, Cuba benefits from frequent promotions and special deals. These often aren’t just for flights but bundled offers like "flight + accommodation" or all-inclusive packages. Such promotional packages can be very appealing.

From France

Several Cuban cities are served non-stop from Paris in about 10 hours. Prices: 600 € to 900 € round trip. There are no regular flights from other French cities.

Havana: Orly (Cubana) and Charles de Gaulle (Air France).

Santa Clara: Orly (Cubana).

Santiago: Orly (Cubana).

Direct or Connecting Flights

While direct Air France flights are often searched from Paris (Cubana flights are usually booked via their website), many options are available via Madrid, particularly with Air Europa. JetairFly (from Brussels) also offers good value for this route.

Choosing the Best Option

As with Dominican Republic, all-inclusive or "flight + hotel" packages can be an excellent and cost-effective choice. Year-round, agencies offer such deals at prices nearly identical to standalone flights—ideal for short stays of one or two weeks.

From the French West Indies

There are no regular flights.

From the Rest of Europe

Belgium and Switzerland

Brussels: Varadero (JetairFly).

Zurich: Havana (Edelweiss Air).

Other Countries

Major European countries have flights, often seasonal, to Cayo Coco (UK, Milan, Lisbon), Cayo Largo (Milan), Holguín (UK, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Milan), Havana (Amsterdam, Italy, London, Madrid, Moscow), Santa Clara (Manchester, Milan), and Varadero (Germany, UK, Russia, Scandinavia).

From the Americas

Canada

Canada has by far the most routes to and from Cuba.

Montreal: Camagüey (Cubana + Sunwing + Air Transat in season), Cayo Coco (Air Canada + Sunwing + Air Transat and Cubana in season), Cayo Largo (Cubana + Air Canada, Air Transat, and Sunwing in season), Cienfuegos (Cubana + Sunwing), Holguín (Air Canada + Air Transat + Cubana + Sunwing), Manzanillo (Sunwing in season), Santa Clara (Air Canada + Cubana + Sunwing + Air Transat in season), Santiago (Cubana + Sunwing in season), Varadero (Air Canada + Air Transat + Cubana + Sunwing + WestJet in season).

Quebec City: Cayo Coco (Air Transat in season), Holguín (Sunwing + Air Transat in season), Santa Clara (Air Transat and Sunwing in season), Varadero (Air Transat and Sunwing in season).

Toronto: Camagüey (Cubana + Sunwing + Air Transat in season), Cayo Coco (Air Canada + Sunwing + WestJet + Air Transat in season), Cayo Largo (Cubana + Air Transat in season), Cienfuegos (Cubana + Sunwing), Holguín (Air Canada + Air Transat + Cubana + Sunwing + WestJet in season), Havana (Air Canada), Manzanillo (Sunwing in season), Santa Clara (Air Canada + Cubana + Sunwing + WestJet + Air Transat and CanJet in season), Santiago (Cubana + Sunwing in season), Varadero (Air Canada + Cubana + Sunwing + WestJet + Air Transat in season).

Ottawa, Halifax, and a dozen other Canadian cities also have flights, mostly seasonal, primarily to Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santa Clara, and Varadero.

United States

Routes between the two countries have always been unstable, subject to the political climate in Havana and Washington. After a promising period (Obama administration), relations worsened under Trump, with US sanctions against the island in 2019. For many, Canada or Mexico remains the easiest transit option for flying from the US to Cuba.

Caribbean

Bahamas: Havana (Aerogaviota + Bahamasair).

Cayman Islands: Cienfuegos (Cayman Airways), Havana (Cayman Airways).

Haiti: Santiago (Aero Caribbean + Sunrise).

Jamaica: Havana (Aerogaviota).

Dominican Republic: Havana (Cubana), Santiago (Cubana + SAP).

Trinidad and Tobago: Havana (Aerogaviota).

Latin America

In addition to some seasonal charters:

Argentina: Havana (Aerolíneas + Cubana), Varadero (Cubana).

Brazil and Costa Rica: Havana (Cubana).

Colombia: Havana (Avianca + Copa + Cubana).

El Salvador: Havana (Avianca).

Ecuador: Havana (TAME).

Mexico: Havana (Aeroméxico and Cubana for Cancún; Aerocaribbean and Interjet for Mérida; Aeroméxico, Cubana, and Interjet for Mexico City).

Nicaragua and Honduras: Havana (Aero Caribbean).

Panama: Havana and Santa Clara (Copa).

Peru: Havana (Avianca + LATAM).

Venezuela: Havana (Conviasa + Cubana).

From Elsewhere

Havana also has routes to and from Beijing (Air China) and Angola (TAAG).