Terminal 1 (Domestic Terminal)

Most guides barely mention that Terminal 1 handles Cubana domestic

Older airport guides quietly list Terminal 1 as the domestic side of José Martí International, mainly used by Cubana de Aviación for internal flights around Cuba. The focus in trip reports swings to Terminals 2 and 3, so solid, recent detail on T1 is thin. Treat it as a basic, functional space for point‑to‑point domestic hops rather than a long-connection hangout.

Layout and check-in at Terminal 1

Terminal 1 sits separate from Terminals 2, 3, and 5, so leave extra time if you arrive at the wrong building and need to switch. Check-in for Cubana domestic flights runs on the ground level, with simple counters and paper boarding passes. Security and the departure area sit straight ahead once you clear check-in; there are no piers with long walks like in T3, just a compact hall with a small number of gates.

Security, formalities, and timing

For a Cubana domestic departure out of Terminal 1, plan to be at the building at least 90 minutes before scheduled takeoff. Security is usually shorter than in Terminal 3’s international zone, but staff work manually, and lines can build quickly if two or three flights bank together. There is no known fast track or priority lane here, even for Cubana elite tiers, so everyone joins the same queue.

Food and drink options inside T1

No branded restaurants are catalogued for Terminal 1, and reviews rarely mention named cafés by gate number. Expect a very simple setup: a small snack counter or kiosk near the departure seating with basic drinks and packaged items, not hot meals. If you want a real sit-down meal, eat in Havana city or near another terminal before coming to T1 for a midday Cubana departure.

Shopping: Mini Market Terminal 1

The one confirmed shop in this building is Mini Market Terminal 1, inside the terminal after check-in. Stock here usually means bottled water, soft drinks, a few snacks, and small everyday items rather than luxury duty free. Prices run higher than in Havana supermarkets but still manageable for last‑minute buys; don’t count on specific brands being available on the shelf.

Lounges and seating

There are no catalogued lounges in Terminal 1, and none show up on major lounge networks for HAV’s terminal codes 1, 2, 3, or 5. Plan to use the public seating in the departure hall, which can fill quickly when a Cubana flight is delayed. Power outlets are limited, so charge your phone before arriving if you expect to sit through a schedule change.

Connections and ground transfers

If you’re connecting between a domestic Cubana flight in Terminal 1 and an international flight in Terminal 3, budget at least an hour on the ground for moving between buildings, plus any check-in or immigration steps. There’s no airside transfer; you exit to the public side and use airport transport or taxis. Build the buffer, especially in the afternoon, when road traffic to the various HAV terminals slows everything down.

One practical tip for Terminal 1

Bring cash in Cuban pesos or euros before heading to Terminal 1, and pick up water and snacks either in Havana or at Mini Market Terminal 1. With no documented lounges and minimal food service, having your own supplies makes a delayed Cubana domestic departure much easier to sit through.