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By Root 1373 0

fleet flies major routes and its airfares are usually among the cheapest. However, overbooking and delays are nagging problems you may well encounter. In addition, the airline has a zero-tolerance attitude towards overweight luggage, charging stiffly for every kilogram above the 20kg baggage allowance. In terms of safety, Cubana’s reputation precedes it (it had back-to-back crashes in December 1999, with 39 fatalities), but it hasn’t had any incidents since. Still, you might want to check the latest at www.airsafe.com.

AIRLINES FLYING TO/FROM CUBA

Most airlines have offices in the Airline Building (Calle 23 No 64) in Vedado or, alternatively, in the Miramar Trade Center (Av 3 btwn Calles 76 & 80) in Playa, Havana.

Aerocaribbean (7L; 7-832-7584; www.aerocarib bean.com; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

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THINGS CHANGE…

The information in this chapter is particularly vulnerable to change. Check directly with the airline or a travel agent to make sure you understand how a fare (and ticket you may buy) works and be aware of the security requirements for international travel. Shop carefully. The details given in this chapter should be regarded as pointers and are not a substitute for your own careful, up-to-date research.

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DEPARTURE TAX

Everyone must pay a CUC$25 departure tax at the airport. It’s payable in cash only.

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Aeroflot Russian International Airlines (AFL; 7-204-3200; www.aeroflot.com; hub Moscow; Miramar Trade Center, Av 3 btwn Calles 76 & 80, Playa, Havana)

Aeropostal (LAV; 7-55-40-00; www.aeropostal.com; hub Caracas; Hotel Habana Libre, cnr Calles 23 & L, Havana)

Air Canada (ACA; 7-834-4949; www.aircanada.com; hub Montréal; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

Air Europa (AEA; 7-204-6905/6/7/8; www.air-europa.com; hub Madrid; Miramar Trade Center, Av 3 btwn Calles 76 & 80, Playa, Havana)

Air France (AFR; 7-833-2644; www.airfrance.com; hub Paris; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

Air Jamaica (AJM; 7-833-2447; www.airjamaica.com; hub Montego Bay; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

Air Transat (TSC; 1-877-872-6728; www.airtransat.com; hub Montréal)

Copa Airlines (CMP; 7-204-7857; www.copaair.com; hub Panama City; Miramar Trade Center, Av 3 btwn Calles 76 & 80, Playa, Havana)

Cubana (CU; 7-834-4446; www.cubana.cu; hub Havana; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

Iberia (IBE; 7-204-3443; www.iberia.com; hub Madrid; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

Lacsa (LRC; 7-833-3114; www.grupotaca.com; hub San José, Costa Rica; Hotel Habana Libre, cnr Calles 23 & L, Havana) Also represents Taca.

LanChile (LAN; 7-833-3626; www.lanchile.com; hub Santiago de Chile; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana)

Martinair (MPH; 7-832-6649; www.martinair.com; hub Amsterdam; cnr Calles E & 23, Vedado, Havana)

Mexicana de Aviación (MXA; 7-833-3533; www.mexicana.com.mx; hub Mexico City; Airline Bldg, Calle 23 No 64, Vedado, Havana) Also represents the regional carrier Aerocaribe.

Skyservice (SSV; 1-416-679-8330; www.skyservice airlines.com; hub Toronto)

Virgin Atlantic (VIR; 7-204-0747; www.virginatlantic.com; hub London Gatwick)

Tickets

Since Americans can’t buy tickets to Cuba and can’t use US-based travel agents, a host of businesses in Mexico, Canada (below) and the Caribbean (opposite) specialize in air-only deals. They sometimes won’t sell you the first leg of your trip to the ‘gateway’ country for fear of embargo-related repercussions. When booking online or if an agency requires financial acrobatics to steer clear of US embargo laws (which sometimes happens), be sure to confirm details, take contact names and clarify the procedure. You will need a Cuban tourist card and these agencies should arrange that. Except during peak holiday seasons, you can usually just arrive in Mexico, Jamaica or whatever gateway country and buy your round-trip ticket to Cuba there.

The choice for non-Americans is varied, straightforward, cheap and accessible. Often, an air-and-hotel package deal to one of the beach