Flying to Guatemala

Overview

Of the fifteen or so airports in the country, only La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City truly serves international flights. It is by far the busiest in the country, handling nearly 5 million passengers a year, and offers connections to around a dozen countries—all in the Americas, except for Madrid.

Local airlines

Guatemala has just two carriers: Avianca Group, which operates internationally, and Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos (TAG), which focuses on domestic flights and neighboring countries.

From France and Europe

Apart from Madrid (Iberia flights), no European city has a direct connection to Guatemala. So, if you're traveling from France, you'll need to take a connecting flight, which will typically take between 15 and 20 hours—or even longer. Prices: 600/900 €.

Connecting flights

U.S. airlines (American, Delta, United) and Spain’s Iberia are usually the main options for connecting flights and should be compared first. Occasionally, you’ll also find flights via Mexico, Panama, or even Colombia.

When choosing, price is one factor, but flight duration (some routes are very long) and—if you opt for U.S. carriers—the requirements for transiting through the United States should also be considered. Generally, flights via Madrid traditionally offer the best value for money.

From the Americas

While Montreal has seasonal flights, primarily with Air Canada, the United States remains by far the best-connected country. This makes sense given the large Guatemalan community in the U.S. Around ten U.S. cities are served, with major hubs like those of American Airlines, Delta, and United leading the way.

Otherwise, Mexico (with Mexico City and Cancun) and the rest of Central America all have at least one connection to Guatemala. However, there are no direct flights from South America or the Caribbean.