Flights to Cuba from the UK

There are no direct flights from the UK to Cuba in 2026; none have run since Virgin Atlantic stopped flying Gatwick to Havana in 2020. Realistically, plan for a full long-haul day: about 15 to 18 hours door to door, occasionally longer. The most reliable route is London Gatwick to Havana via Madrid with Air Europa, roughly 2h 30m to Madrid, a 2 to 4 hour layover, then about 10 to 11 hours on to Havana. The Madrid to Havana flights currently include a refuelling stop in the Dominican Republic, because Havana has no jet fuel during the island’s energy crisis. A non-stop flight would take around 9 to 10 hours, but no airline operates one.

• London Gatwick → Havana (via Madrid): about 15 to 18 hours total, the only dependable European routing.

• Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow → Havana: add a UK or European connection, roughly 16 to 20 hours in total.

• Hypothetical non-stop: around 9 to 10 hours, not flown by any airline in 2026.

Air Europa, London Gatwick to Havana via Madrid

• Route: London Gatwick → Madrid → Havana, with a refuelling stop in the Dominican Republic

• Frequency: around three Madrid to Havana flights a week (Wed/Sat/Sun)

• Aircraft: widebody Boeing 787

• Total journey: a full long-haul day, typically 15 to 18 hours including the Madrid connection

• Baggage: a 23kg checked bag + cabin bag included on most fares (varies by ticket type)

Who else flies to Cuba in 2026?

• Iberia, Madrid → Havana: suspended since June 2026, which leaves Air Europa as the only Madrid carrier.

• Air France, Paris → Havana: suspended; any resumption is unconfirmed, so we check live status before quoting.

• Air Canada, Toronto → Havana: suspended, not expected to resume before late 2026.

• Air Transat, currently paused and not selling Cuba flights.

• Virgin Atlantic & British Airways, no UK non-stop service: Virgin last flew to Havana in 2020 and has not returned, and BA does not fly to Cuba.

Cuba’s aviation fuel shortage is ongoing in 2026, which is why several carriers have paused their routes and Air Europa’s flights include a refuelling stop. With capacity reduced, peak-season seats (November to April) sell out early. We hold pre-allocated seats for our holiday packages, so we can often find availability, and an accurate, up-to-date price, when the public booking sites show sold out.

Last reviewed June 2026. Flight statuses to Cuba change month to month, we confirm live availability before quoting any itinerary.

How the journey breaks down

There are no direct flights, so total journey time depends on your routing. The fastest reliable option in 2026 is Air Europa via Madrid:

• London Gatwick → Madrid: ~2h 30m flight time on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

• Madrid layover: Typically 2 to 4 hours. Same terminal connection (Terminal 4 / 4S), passport control + a short shuttle.

• Madrid → Havana: ~11h on a widebody Boeing 787, including a refuelling stop in the Dominican Republic (currently Punta Cana, the stop has moved before). Passengers stay on board, around 1h 30m on the ground.

• Total UK to Havana: Typically 15 to 18 hours door-to-door including the Madrid connection, a full long-haul day. Returning is similar.

Air Europa baggage allowance

Standard Air Europa allowances on the UK to Cuba routing in Light/Standard/Plus economy and Business. Always check your specific fare class on your e-ticket, bags vary by ticket type.

• Hand luggage (cabin): 1 × 8kg piece, max 55 × 35 × 25 cm. Plus a personal item (laptop bag or small handbag) under the seat.

• Hold luggage, Standard / Plus economy: 1 × 23kg checked bag included, max 158cm linear (L+W+H).

• Hold luggage, Light economy: No bag included. Add at booking from approximately £45 each way; add at the airport from approximately £70 each way.

• Business class: 2 × 32kg checked bags, plus 2 × 14kg cabin bags.

• Sports equipment: Bicycles, golf bags, surfboards and dive gear allowed at the standard 23kg limit if pre-booked. Oversized items charged separately.

• Cuba inbound restrictions: Cuban customs limit certain electronics, large quantities of new clothing and powered items. We brief every booked client on the current rules, they change.

What do flights to Cuba cost?

Air Europa fares from London Gatwick to Havana, return, in 2026 typically fall in these ranges:

• Off-peak (May, June, September): £550 to £750 return in economy.

• Shoulder (March, April, October): £700 to £950 return in economy.

• Peak (November to February, school holidays, Easter): £900 to £1,400 return in economy.

• Business class: £2,400 to £3,500 return year-round.

Booking your flights inside an ATOL-protected holiday keeps the whole trip in one booking, with your money protected. We hold pre-allocated seats for our packages, so we often have availability after the public site shows sold out.