flights to/from Cuba

[ann and aties 9]

For legal flights from the West Coast of the U.S. and (more importantly for us) flights for Cuban Americans and Cuban nationals, there are flights through Havanatur and http://www.cubatravelservices.com/ LAX to Havana.

Doesn't seem that the Oakland/Havana option is available yet, maybe it is because there isn't enough traffic. Anyway they fly every Wednesday and use Continental. It's a five hour flight.

[Beau & Digna 5]

Hi Ann & Aties,

Thanks for the information. It looks like we may do the LAX flight, but I was wondering if you found out if it was possible for a Cuban National to travel through Mexico first, and if a visa is required by Mexico. Thanks again.

Beau & Digna

[ann and aties 9]

Hi Beau and Digna,

it is possible, there is a post to that effect on this forum, it might be from Claudia??

They don't leave the airport so no visa is required.

The cost of the flight Havana to LAX is $608 CUC, so it's expensive. I still think it is about the same as going to Miami ($208 CUC) plus my going to Miami to get him and then spending the night, and then both of us flying back to the Bay Area. And I really didn't want to have to go to Miami.

[Beau & Digna 5]

Hi Beau and Digna,

it is possible, there is a post to that effect on this forum, it might be from Claudia??

They don't leave the airport so no visa is required.

The cost of the flight Havana to LAX is $608 CUC, so it's expensive. I still think it is about the same as going to Miami ($208 CUC) plus my going to Miami to get him and then spending the night, and then both of us flying back to the Bay Area. And I really didn't want to have to go to Miami.

Yikes!...That is expensive 1-way. I normally visit through Cancun, Mexico and flights to/from Cuba are in a different terminal than flights to/from the US...I'm just wondering about the logistics since you have to "leave the airport" to get to the other terminal...I'd rather go this route if possible I think, so I could travel with my fiancee.

[hacelafacil 0]

Hi Beau and Digna,

it is possible, there is a post to that effect on this forum, it might be from Claudia??

They don't leave the airport so no visa is required.

The cost of the flight Havana to LAX is $608 CUC, so it's expensive. I still think it is about the same as going to Miami ($208 CUC) plus my going to Miami to get him and then spending the night, and then both of us flying back to the Bay Area. And I really didn't want to have to go to Miami.

Hello Ann + Aties,

My fiance went last week to havanatours celimar to find out about the tix to LAX, they said she has to purchase round trip 869cuc. Then I read about the option to go through Cancun and that ticket is 390 RT. She went to the mexican consulate to check about a visa, they said K-1 visa and plane ticket to leave that day is OK. She went to immigration to ask if she needs one way or round trip, they said they don't care.

She is leaving with PVE, coming to get married, does she need a RT ticket?

Please if anyone has info regarding this matter will be appreciated.

mil gracias,

[ann and aties 9]

I doubt very much if she needs a round trip ticket, my fiance only has a one way ticket. I am sorry, I don't know about the rest of it regarding coming through Cancun.

[hacelafacil 0]

I doubt very much if she needs a round trip ticket, my fiance only has a one way ticket. I am sorry, I don't know about the rest of it regarding coming through Cancun.

That is what we thought!

Is your fiance leaving with PVE? Where did he purchase the one way ticket?

We are thinking hav-cun and cun-sfo. Virgin america has a direct flight to sfo and I can purchase that leg from here.

Does anyone have a better option?

gracias for the info!!!

[Beau & Digna 5]

Hello Ann + Aties,

My fiance went last week to havanatours celimar to find out about the tix to LAX, they said she has to purchase round trip 869cuc. Then I read about the option to go through Cancun and that ticket is 390 RT. She went to the mexican consulate to check about a visa, they said K-1 visa and plane ticket to leave that day is OK. She went to immigration to ask if she needs one way or round trip, they said they don't care.

She is leaving with PVE, coming to get married, does she need a RT ticket?

Please if anyone has info regarding this matter will be appreciated.

mil gracias,

Hi Hacelafacil,

That’s good news to hear that a Mexican visa isn’t needed for a K-1 traveling through Mexico. Thank your fiancee for us for going to the Mexican consulate, and asking. I had asked a Mexican immigration officer as I was passing through there once, and they told me that my fiancee would need a “transit” visa, but I suspect they issue that when they arrive in Mexico…just like our tourist visas. What you say makes sense, as I know if you travel “transit” (same day), there’s no airport tax charged either. Also, I’ve noticed a separate door/hall at the Cancun immigration that says something like “transit passengers” when I arrive from Cuba…There’s never been a line here of any sort. I suspect that our Cuban fiancées would pass through this area, and be escorted to the other terminal in Cancun “behind the ropes” so to speak…I’ve always gone through the long immigration line, which exits you to the outside world with a “tourist” visa, and then I walk or shuttle to the other terminal for flights to the US.

I’m by no means an expert on the Cuban exit process, and I’m probably as confused as everyone else seems to be about this. But, I believe everyone unmarried is required to exit Cuba with the PVE, and then when they’re married here in the US, they can adjust status to PSI with the Cuban Interests Section in the US (Washington DC). I believe you had mentioned in a different post, that your fiancee is waiting for her letter of invitation to arrive. This stood out to me, and frankly makes me nervous…Is your fiancé doing a “salida indefinitiva” (SI), or a “salida definitiva” (SD)? I believe a letter of invitation is ONLY required for the “salida indefinitiva” (SI). This might be why they are saying you need a round trip plane ticket as well…They expect the Cuban to return with a “salida indefinitiva” (SI).

I’ve read a lot about this stuff, but it’s very confusing to everyone, and there’s a LOT of conflicting information out there. Don’t take my understanding as 100%. We’ve gone to the Cuban immigration several times, and even their information is very different depending on the person you ask, and the time of day…You know how it is.

Best Wishes,

Beau & Digna