The routes that actually run
Internal service radiates from Havana. The most useful links connect the capital with the far east — Holguín and Santiago de Cuba — and with the Jardines del Rey cays at Cayo Coco. These are the journeys where flying genuinely saves a full day versus the road. Secondary and seasonal links come and go. The two operators are the national carrier, Cubana de Aviación, and the smaller Aerogaviota.
Why reliability is the real issue
Domestic aviation in Cuba is constrained by aircraft availability, fuel supply, and the effects of sanctions on parts and financing. Schedules can thin out or pause with little notice, and cancellations happen. This is not a reason to avoid internal flights, but it is a strong reason not to hang a tight itinerary on one. If a missed domestic connection would sink your trip, build in a buffer day or plan the leg by road instead.
Flying versus driving and the coach
For most visitors the practical long-distance network is the road: the Víazul coach system, rental cars, and shared taxis (colectivos). A domestic flight is worth booking when it removes a genuinely punishing drive — Havana to Santiago is a 12-plus-hour haul — but for shorter hops the time saved rarely justifies the uncertainty. Treat internal flights as a useful option for a couple of specific corridors, not the spine of your plan.
How to book an internal flight
Booking Cuban domestic flights from abroad can be awkward: online systems are unreliable and often will not process foreign-issued cards. Many travellers book through a Cuban travel agency or in person once on the island, then reconfirm the flight a day or two before departure. Carry cash, arrive early, and keep your plans loose enough to absorb a cancellation. Treating the ticket as provisional until you are actually boarding is the realistic mindset for internal air travel in Cuba.