binter air china deal canaries global flights

New Air Deal Connects Canaries to Beijing, Havana & São Paulo

New Airline Partnership Boosts Global Links for Canary Islands

Binter and Air China have formalised a Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) that will significantly improve connectivity between the Canary Islands and several major international destinations served by the Asian carrier. The deal, finalised at the end of 2025, opens up new travel possibilities for passengers flying to and from the archipelago and strengthens tourism and economic development by facilitating the arrival of international visitors.

Seamless Connections via Madrid

The two airlines will link Air China’s routes between Beijing, São Paulo, or Havana and Madrid with Binter’s services between the Spanish capital and the airports of Gran Canaria and Tenerife North. In this initial phase, Air China will market the connections, integrating them into its global network and allowing for single-ticket bookings for the combined journeys. This means passengers benefit from a single check-in process all the way to their final destination, with no need to collect their luggage in Madrid. They can also transfer between Terminals T1 and T2 at Barajas Airport using the boarding pass for their onward flight.

Detailed Flight Schedules and Destinations

The alliance will facilitate daily connections between the Canaries and Beijing. Flights will depart the Canaries at 07:00, arriving in Madrid at 10:45. The onward flight departs Madrid at 12:55, landing in the Chinese capital at 05:55 the following day. In the opposite direction, flights leave Beijing at 02:00, arriving in Madrid at 08:00. The connecting flight to the Canaries then departs at 11:45, arriving at 13:50. These connections are further aided by a visa exemption allowing Spanish citizens to enter mainland China without a visa for tourism stays of up to 30 days until December 2026.

For Havana, the agreement allows for two weekly connections on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Departure from the Canaries is at 07:00, with the flight from Madrid leaving at 14:45 to land in the Cuban capital at 18:50. Air China notes that, due to fuel shortages in Cuba, a technical stop for refuelling in The Bahamas is currently required on the return leg to Madrid, which may alter timings on that route but does not affect outbound flights to Havana. From Cuba, flights depart at 23:55, landing in Madrid at 15:20 the next day. The connecting flight to the Canaries then leaves at 20:15, arriving at 22:20.

São Paulo will also see improved connectivity, with three possible weekly connections on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays from the Canaries, and on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from Brazil. Departure from the Canaries is at 15:45, with the flight from Madrid leaving at 23:15 to arrive in Brazil’s financial capital at 05:00 the next day. Return flights depart São Paulo at 09:25, landing in Madrid at 00:45 the following day. Passengers then catch the 07:00 flight to arrive in the archipelago at 09:05.

Onboard Comfort and Fleet Details

On the Binter-operated legs, passengers will enjoy the differential advantages offered by the Canary Islands carrier: the comfort of its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft—the quietest, cleanest, and most efficient single-aisle jet in its class, configured with more legroom and the comfort of no middle seats—complemented by a high-end onboard service. This includes a complimentary gourmet snack and guaranteed overhead locker space for hand luggage.

Air China operates its routes with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring three cabin configurations designed for maximum comfort: Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy.

About Air China

Air China is a leading global airline with a fleet of 950 aircraft operating 126 international routes. It has a strong presence in Europe, covering 36 routes. From Spain, it offers a privileged direct connectivity, notably with 19 direct weekly flights to Beijing and 23 weekly flights from Beijing to Spain.

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