A Cuban woman living in Spain captured on video a scene that any island emigrant would instantly recognize: an endless line of passengers and a mountain of suitcases waiting to check in for a flight to Cuba. Elizabeth Cánova shared this recording on TikTok on Wednesday, cautioning, “If you're not Cuban, you're not ready for this,” a sentiment that quickly resonated with the diaspora.
“This is what traveling to Cuba looks like,” wrote the creator in the video’s description, adding a reflection on the hidden contents of those bags: “Each one carries much more than clothes or gifts. They contain requests, medicines, food, items that are hard to find back home, and a bit of peace for those waiting on the other side, even though deep down we know it’s never enough.”
The Logistical Challenge of Traveling to Cuba
This scene is neither random nor unique. The severe shortages in Cuba—impacting medicine, food, hygiene products, and household items—turn every trip into a logistical operation.
Cuban emigrants do not travel like typical tourists; they carry the maximum luggage allowed, packed with requests from family and friends. Each suitcase becomes a bridge between the diaspora and those remaining on the island.
“They say you can spot the flight to Cuba without checking the airport screen... just look at the mountain of luggage,” Cánova noted, encapsulating the experience shared by thousands of Cubans every time they pass through a Spanish airport.
Airport Challenges and Policy Changes
This widespread practice has even led to tensions at the airports themselves. Since December 2025, Madrid-Barajas has tightened luggage checks for flights to Cuba, banning the so-called “bola bags”—round, bottomless bags incompatible with automated check-in systems.
The demographic explanation behind this traveler volume is clear. The Cuban community in Spain grew to approximately 287,490 people by early 2026, with around 35,200 new arrivals in 2025 alone, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics.
With major concentrations in the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Catalonia, Spain has become a primary destination for Cuban emigrants, resulting in a constant flow of travelers returning to the island laden with essential goods.
Endless Waits and Financial Implications
Long waits are not exclusive to Spanish airports. At Havana's José Martí Airport, lines of up to seven hours have been documented just to weigh luggage and pay at a single functioning cashier, reflecting the logistical challenges surrounding travel between Cuba and abroad in both directions.
Cuban customs allows up to 25 kg of duty-free imports, and if the contents are solely food and medicines, no additional duty is charged even if that limit is exceeded. Nevertheless, excess baggage fees from Spain must be paid at the airport—not online—since January 2026, with charges ranging from 100 to 150 euros per suitcase.
Cánova concluded her post with a reflection that captures the experience of an entire generation of emigrants: “Emigrating changes many things, but one remains constant: the concern for your loved ones. As long as that need exists, every trip will continue to feel like moving house.”
Challenges of Traveling from Spain to Cuba
Why do Cuban emigrants carry so much luggage when traveling?
Cuban emigrants often carry the maximum luggage allowed filled with items requested by family and friends, such as medicines, food, and other essentials that are scarce on the island.
What are “bola bags” and why are they banned?
“Bola bags” are round, bottomless bags that do not work with automated check-in systems. They have been banned by Madrid-Barajas airport to streamline the luggage check-in process.
How does the Cuban community in Spain affect travel?
With a significant Cuban population in Spain, especially in areas like the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Catalonia, there is a continuous flow of travelers to Cuba transporting essential goods back to the island.