Flights to the Caribbean

Your flight time from London will depend on where in the Caribbean you’re heading to. It takes approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes to land in St Lucia from London, while a flight to Jamaica takes around 9 hours and 45 minutes. You’ll fly for around 9 hours and 15 minutes to the Dominican Republic, and you can reach Cancun in 8 hours and 30 minutes. A flight to Barbados takes approximately 8 hours and 50 minutes, while the journey to Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport is 8 hours 30 minutes.

British Airways flies to Cancun, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica from both London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports. Flights to Antigua and St Lucia depart from London Gatwick and flights to Barbados leave from London Heathrow.

The best time to find deals on flights across the Caribbean is during the cooler season from September to November. Even though the temperature drops slightly, the year-round tropical weather means you can still enjoy warm, sunny days with average highs of 25°C. The beaches also tend to be quieter and the accommodation is more affordable than in the peak season.

The Caribbean enjoys warm weather all year round. The most popular time to visit is during the dry season, which runs between December and April, when the mercury reaches around 30°C. July through August is also considered a good time to travel, with warm temperatures in the mid-20s.

You can adjust your trip to the Caribbean to fit your budget. While the region is known for offering luxury resorts, there are plenty of affordable places to stay – the Dominican Republic is considered one of the cheaper Caribbean islands. Searching out local restaurants is a great way to save money on meals and sample authentic cuisine wherever you’re staying, and there are lots of all-inclusive resorts to choose from right across the Caribbean where food and drink are included. Opt for the south side of Barbados for affordable guesthouses and self-catering accommodation. Visiting local markets is a great way to pick up picnic supplies for the beach and packed lunches if you’re hiking and exploring.

Taxis are usually the most efficient way to travel from the airport to your hotel in most Caribbean destinations, especially if you’re travelling with lots of luggage. To avoid queues, you can pre-book an airport transfer to your resort or hotel.

Buses are the most popular way for locals and visitors to make their way around the islands. In St Lucia, you can simply signal for the driver to stop by waving your hand on the roadside. Jump in a low-cost shared minivan in Cancun, also known as colectivos, for a quick and cheap ride across town, or if you're heading to one of the main beaches. Because of their small size, you’ll never be too far from where you need to get to in Antigua and Barbados.

You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to see more of what the Caribbean has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.

The Caribbean islands are ideal destinations for winter sun, and their palm-fringed beaches, beautiful bays and natural beauty are a huge draw. The region’s culture has enduring holiday appeal, with a festival of some sort taking place almost every month. Antigua Sailing Week, the Caribbean’s biggest regatta, is held in April each year, while Barbados’ Crop Over Festival is a five-week celebration marking the end of the cane harvest. Running throughout July and August, you’ll be treated to music, dancing and delicious Bajan cuisine. The two-week St Lucia Carnival, held in July, culminates in a two-day street parade of live bands, costumes and DJs.

You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.

If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.

Citizens of the UK and Ireland and EU passport holders may require a visa to visit the Caribbean, depending on how long they stay. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to at the IATA Travel Centre.

Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly. On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering, and a warm, uniquely British welcome.

Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way.

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• Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
• Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
• Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
• Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
• One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
• Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
• Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
• Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
• Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
• Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
• Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply