How Long Does It Take to Fly to the Canary Islands?

Quick Answer

Flying to the Canary Islands from the United States takes 12–20 hours of total travel time. There are no direct flights from the US to the Canary Islands, so all routes require at least one connection, typically through Madrid, London, or another European hub. The transatlantic flight takes 7–10 hours, and the onward connection to the Canaries adds 2.5–4 hours of flight time plus layover.

Flight Times from Major US Cities

Origin City	Connection Hub	Total Travel Time
New York (JFK)	Madrid (MAD)	12–16 hours
New York (JFK)	London (LHR/LGW)	13–17 hours
Miami (MIA)	Madrid (MAD)	13–17 hours
Los Angeles (LAX)	Madrid (MAD)	16–20 hours
Chicago (ORD)	London (LHR)	14–18 hours
Boston (BOS)	Lisbon (LIS)	12–16 hours
Washington (IAD)	Madrid (MAD)	13–17 hours

Total times include a typical 2–4 hour layover at the connection point.

Canary Islands Airports

The Canary Islands archipelago has several airports. Your destination island determines your final flight:

Island	Airport Code	Flight from Madrid
Tenerife (South)	TFS	2.5 hours
Gran Canaria	LPA	2.5 hours
Lanzarote	ACE	2.5 hours
Fuerteventura	FUE	2.5 hours
La Palma	SPC	3 hours
Tenerife (North)	TFN	2.5 hours
La Gomera	GMZ	Via ferry from Tenerife
El Hierro	VDE	3.5 hours (limited service)

Best Connection Hubs

Madrid (MAD) — Most Efficient

Madrid offers the most frequent connections to all Canary Islands airports. Iberia, the Spanish national carrier, operates multiple daily flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Since Iberia is part of the Oneworld alliance, American Airlines passengers can book through-tickets with coordinated connections.

London (LHR/LGW)

British Airways and budget carriers like Jet2 and TUI fly frequently from London to the Canaries. This is a good option for travelers connecting through the UK, though London layovers can be lengthy due to terminal transfers.

Lisbon (LIS)

TAP Air Portugal offers competitive routings from the US East Coast through Lisbon, with connections to the Canary Islands. Lisbon is geographically close to the Canaries, so the connecting flight is shorter (about 3.5 hours).

How to Minimize Travel Time

• Fly through Madrid on Iberia or American Airlines for the most coordinated connections and shortest layovers
• Book East Coast departures to reduce the transatlantic leg by 2–3 hours compared to the West Coast
• Choose overnight transatlantic flights that arrive in Europe early morning, allowing a midday connection to the Canaries
• Avoid double connections — some budget routings add a second European stop that can turn a 15-hour trip into a 24-hour ordeal
• Consider positioning to Boston or New York if you live in a smaller city, as these hubs offer the most transatlantic options

Seasonal Considerations

The Canary Islands are a year-round destination thanks to their subtropical climate. However, flight availability and frequency vary by season:

• November–March: Peak season for European tourists escaping winter. More flight options but higher prices.
• April–June and September–October: Shoulder season with fewer crowds and competitive fares.
• July–August: Popular with families. Flights from European hubs are frequent but can be expensive.

Bottom Line

Expect 12–16 hours of total travel from East Coast cities connecting through Madrid, and 16–20 hours from the West Coast. Madrid is your most efficient hub, and booking with Iberia or an alliance partner ensures the smoothest connection to any Canary Island.