Alaska, American, Delta, United Among U.S. Airlines to Receive Green Light for Service to Havana

The Department of Transportation announced that it awarded tentative authority to eight U.S. airlines to begin service to Havana.

Of the dozen carriers that applied for the opportunity to operate scheduled service to Havana, the eight that received tentative awards were Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines. The DOT said that the carriers represent a variety of travel choices, with different network, low-cost, and ultra low-cost airlines, different airports, and non-stop or connecting flights.

The carriers would offer service from Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York City, Orlando, and Tampa. The agency said flights could begin as early as this fall.

The new service to Cuba “will reunite families and support a new generation of travelers seeking to engage and explore this truly unique destination,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta Air Lines’ vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“These flights open the door to a new world of travel and opportunities for our customers,” said Oscar Munoz, United Airlines’ CEO.

Under an agreement signed in February, both the United States and Cuba are allowed to operate up to 20 daily round-trip flights between the U.S. and Havana.

The United States and Cuba reestablished diplomatic relations last July.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)