Houston, we have a flight to Cuba.
The Department of Transportation has tentatively approved United Airlines’ application to offer Saturday nonstop flights between Bush Intercontinental Airport and Havana’s José Martí International Airport. The flights are expected to begin later this year.
United will also offer daily nonstop flights to Havana from Newark Liberty International Airport.
“These flights open the door to a new world of travel and opportunities for our customers,” Oscar Munoz, United’s chief executive said in a news release. “We are proud of the important and historic role our airline will play in connecting the U.S. and Cuba, as commercial air travel takes flight between these countries for the first time in more than 50 years.”
Bush Intercontinental Airport also will serve as the connection to Cuba for flights from 20 markets across the central and western U.S. to Cuba with just one stop.
“Secretary Anthony Foxx and the U.S. Department of Transportation made an outstanding decision by approving United Airline’s application for Saturday service between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Havana’s José Martí International Airport,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in the news release. “Secretary Foxx and United both recognized the very significant economic and consumer benefits these flights to Cuba will bring to Houston-area residents, travelers, businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Seven other airlines also received the nod for flights to Havana, including Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit. Southwest, which didn’t apply for flights out of Houston, announced they would operate routes to Havana from Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay, Florida.
In addition to Houston, flights will operate out of Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; New York; and four cities in Florida — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.