Flying to the Dominican Republic

General Information

The Dominican Republic has over thirty airports, seven of which serve international flights. The country’s tourist zones handle the bulk of traffic, with dozens of seasonal routes to Europe and North America. Punta Cana is the busiest airport, with over 10 million passengers per year—far ahead of the capital’s airport.

Local Airlines

Air Century, Arajet, RED Air, Sky High, and Volo are five local carriers operating domestic flights, as well as charters and scheduled services to neighboring islands using small aircraft. Their main hub is Santo Domingo, often supplemented by Punta Cana.

Types of Flights

While the country receives its share of scheduled flights, it is primarily a charter destination, hosting dozens of seasonal routes bringing European, North American, and Latin American travelers.

Promotions and Special Offers

Like many highly touristic destinations, the Dominican Republic frequently benefits from promotions and special deals. These rarely apply to airfare alone but instead bundle flights with accommodation—often all-inclusive packages. Such promotional packages can be particularly appealing.

From France

Three destinations are served nonstop from Paris, with flight times ranging from 8.5 to 9.5 hours. Prices: 750 to 900 €. These include Punta Cana from Orly with Air Caraïbes (which also serves Samaná and Santo Domingo), and from Roissy with Air France. Some regional cities in France also offer seasonal flights, primarily to Punta Cana.

Direct or Connecting Flights

While French airlines dominate departures from Paris and other French cities (often via Paris) with direct flights, there are also many options via the U.S. or connections through Madrid.

Choosing the Best Option

For those seeking only a flight, start by comparing offers based on the different arrival airports. The Dominican Republic is a relatively small country, so flexibility is key. Then, weigh direct flights (the fastest) against those with layovers (often the cheapest).

Beyond price, consider the quality-duration-price ratio. For example, flights via the U.S. are rarely worthwhile due to minimal savings, longer detours, and U.S. transit requirements, including additional entry formalities. If opting for a layover, Madrid is often the better choice.

Meanwhile, as with Cuba, all-inclusive or "flight + hotel" packages can be an excellent and cost-effective option. Year-round, these deals are often priced similarly to standalone flights—ideal for short stays of one or two weeks.

From the French West Indies

Regular direct flights connect Santo Domingo with Guadeloupe and Martinique via the Dominican airline Sky High. Though the flight takes just 1.5 hours, round-trip fares start at around 500 €.

From the Rest of Europe

Madrid offers the most options, with two or three airlines serving multiple destinations in the Dominican Republic. Other major European capitals and airline hubs provide regular or seasonal flights, primarily to Punta Cana and, secondarily, to other cities like the capital.

From the Americas

Canada

Montreal: La Romana (Air Transat), Puerto Plata (Air Canada + Air Transat), Punta Cana (Air Canada + Air Transat + WestJet), Samaná (Air Canada + Air Transat), Santo Domingo (Sunwing).

Quebec City: Puerto Plata (Air Transat + Sunwing), Punta Cana (Air Transat).

Toronto: La Romana (Air Canada + WestJet), Puerto Plata (Air Canada + Air Transat + WestJet), Punta Cana (Air Canada + Air Transat + WestJet), Samaná (Air Canada + Air Transat + WestJet).

Ottawa, Halifax, and about ten other Canadian cities also have seasonal routes, primarily to Samaná, Puerto Plata, and especially Punta Cana.

United States

Major East Coast cities offer seasonal flights to La Romana (Miami, New York), Puerto Plata (Boston, Miami, New York), Punta Cana (Chicago, Florida, New York...), Samaná (New York), Santiago (Boston, Florida, New York), and Santo Domingo (Atlanta, Florida, New York...).

Caribbean

In addition to numerous regional charters by local airlines (Air Century, SAP...):

Former Dutch Antilles: La Romana (Insel Air), Punta Cana (SAP), Santo Domingo (Aerolíneas Mas + Insel Air + Winair).

Cuba: Punta Cana (SAP), Santo Domingo (Air Century + Cubana).

Haiti: Santiago (Aerolíneas Mas), Santo Domingo (Aerolíneas Mas + Sunrise Airways + Tortug'Air).

U.S. Virgin Islands: La Romana (Hummingbird Air), Puerto Plata (SAP).

Jamaica: Santo Domingo (Air Turks&Caicos).

Puerto Rico: Barahona (M&N Aviation), La Romana (Seaborne), Puerto Plata (InterCaribbean), Punta Cana (Insel Air + JetBlue + Seaborne), Santiago (JetBlue + M&N Aviation + Seaborne), Santo Domingo (JetBlue + Seaborne).

St. Maarten: Punta Cana (SAP).

Turks & Caicos: Puerto Plata (InterCaribbean), Santiago (Air Turks&Caicos).

Latin America

Beyond various regional charters by local airlines like Arajet:

Argentina and Chile: Punta Cana (LAN).

Brazil: Punta Cana (Gol), Santo Domingo (Gol).

Colombia: Punta Cana (Avianca + Copa), Santo Domingo (Avianca).

Costa Rica: Santo Domingo (Avianca + Condor).

Panama: Punta Cana (Copa), Santiago (Copa), Santo Domingo (Copa).

Peru: Punta Cana (Avianca + LAN).