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UA Service to Havana Starts Nov 29, 2016 - from EWR (daily), IAH (weekly)

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Old Jan 17, 2015, 12:47 am
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United Airlines Service to Havana Starts November 29
Book your flight to Havana from New York/Newark and Houston today


CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The countdown to Cuba is officially underway at United Airlines after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the company final approval to launch service to Havana from two of its hubs this fall. Beginning Nov. 29, United will start daily nonstop flights to the Cuban capital from New York/Newark and Saturday nonstop service from Houston with both services subject to government approval. Customers can begin booking flights to Havana via united.com today.
Since the DOT announced its preliminary Havana route awards in July, United has been working closely with the Cuban government to prepare for the start of its operation into José Martí International Airport.

"I'm incredibly proud of all the dedicated aviation professionals here at United who are working hard to get our historic Cuba service ready for takeoff in November," said Oscar Munoz, United's CEO. "The final approval by the DOT reaffirms that our flights will ensure better choice, convenience and competition for all travelers on this important route, and I want to thank the DOT for their decision."

United's services to Havana will mark the company's 13th new international route launched in 2016. Since March, United has started nonstop service between the U.S. and Auckland, New Zealand; Tel Aviv, Israel; Xi'an, China; Singapore; Hangzhou, China; Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Nassau, Bahamas, and Lisbon, Portugal.
U.S. Department of Transportation awards United flights to Havana from its global gateways in New York/Newark and Houston
Airline expects to offer its first flights to Havana by fall 2016

CHICAGO, July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, United Airlines customers will have a historic opportunity to board one of the first commercial flights to Havana, Cuba in more than a half century. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tentatively awarded the airline nonstop flights to the Cuban capital from its global gateways in New York/Newark and Houston. By providing access from key, geographically diverse locations across the U.S., United's newly awarded routes will help ensure better choice, convenience and competition for travelers between the United States and Cuba.

"These flights open the door to a new world of travel and opportunities for our customers," said Oscar Munoz, United's president and CEO. "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."

United expects to begin its first flight to Cuba from New York/Newark and Houston later this year, which would make it one of the first U.S. airlines to provide commercial service to Havana – and the first airline to offer U.S.-Havana service from outside Florida.

Daily nonstop service from New York/Newark (EWR)
United's daily nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport will provide unique value in serving the New York City/Newark region, the largest metropolitan area in the country and home to the second-largest population of Cuban Americans. For more than 20 years, United has offered the New York City/Newark region the most flights to the most destinations around the world.

"Today is an exciting day for people who want the opportunity and better options to visit Cuba," said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. "Newark will benefit greatly from United's new competition in the U.S.-Cuba market, which will spur economic activity and job creation in our area. United service enables the nearly 80,000 Cuban Americans living in New Jersey – along with many more Americans throughout the largest metropolitan area in the country – new travel choices and business development opportunities. I thank Secretary Foxx and the DOT for recognizing the value of this route, and want to also thank United Airlines for supporting Newark as a gateway to Cuba."

Saturday nonstop service from Houston (IAH)
Recognized by "Trusted Traveler Network" as one of the most international-friendly points of entry for foreign travelers, Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is United's gateway to Latin America. United offers 91 daily nonstop flights to 52 destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean from its Houston hub. Bush Intercontinental will be an important gateway for service to Havana and will directly connect 20 markets across the central and western United States to Cuba with just one stop. The Cuban-American population in the Houston metropolitan area ranks among the top ten cities in the country.

"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 Jose Marti international Airport," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. "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. While there are nearly 20,000 Cuban Americans in Houston alone, United's service will also connect communities across the central and western U.S. Again, I would like to thank Secretary Foxx and United Airlines for making our great city one of the first new gateways to Cuba."
United Airlines Applies to Serve Cuba from Four Global Gateways
Flights from Newark/New York, Houston, Washington and Chicago to Havana will offer greater choice, convenience and competition for customers
UnitedtoCuba.com details benefits of airline's proposed service to customers and communities

CHICAGO, March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today submitted its formal application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to provide service from four of its largest U.S. gateway cities – Newark/New York, Houston, Washington, D.C. and Chicago – to Havana's José Martí International Airport. If approved, United will be one of the first U.S. airlines to offer customers daily, nonstop scheduled service to Cuba.
"This is a historic moment for our company, our employees and, most importantly, our customers," said Oscar Munoz, United's president and chief executive officer. "We want to be the first choice for passengers traveling between the U.S. and Cuba. We're able to offer customers the best access, convenience and connections to and from Havana through our industry-leading global route network, and we're excited to compete for this important service."
United's proposal to DOT outlines its planned service to Havana from hubs serving four of the country's largest Cuban-American populations. The service would include a total of 11 roundtrip flights per week with daily service from Newark Liberty and one additional Saturday flight (eight weekly flights), along with a Saturday-only flight from Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Washington Dulles and Chicago O'Hare (three weekly flights). If United's application is approved, service to Havana on these routes will be operated with United Wi-Fi-equipped Boeing 737-800 two-cabin aircraft featuring 16 United First, 90 United Economy and 48 extra legroom United Economy Plus seats.
United Airlines plans flights to Cuba from U.S.

Jan 15 {2016} (Reuters) - United Airlines said on Thursday it planned to serve Cuba with flights from Houston and Newark, New Jersey, subject to government approvals.

"We plan to serve Cuba, subject to government approvals, and look forward to doing so from our global gateways of Newark and Houston," spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said in a statement.
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UA Service to Havana Starts Nov 29, 2016 - from EWR (daily), IAH (weekly)

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Old Mar 10, 2016, 1:02 pm
  #136  
 
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I hope some IAH based customers also get this I would love a IAH-HAV route!!
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Old Mar 10, 2016, 1:38 pm
  #137  
 
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This is the letter from the United Website

As an [employee/retiree/customer/vendor/frequent flier] of United Airlines, I write in strong support of United's application to provide new air service between Cuba and United's hubs of Newark Liberty, Washington Dulles, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Chicago O'Hare.

The Department should grant United's request given the very significant economic and competitive benefits United's services would provide, as well as the consumer benefits it would bring to travelers, businesses and entrepreneurs.

• The economic development possibilities enabled by new United service would be enhanced by the nearly 80,000 Cuban Americans living in New Jersey who would gain new travel options, community connections and business opportunities. Consumers in this key Northeastern market and the second largest Cuban-American population in the U.S. should have easily accessible nonstop air service to Havana.

• Washington Dulles -- Havana service would increase the range of consumer options for travel to Cuba from the East Coast. It would also provide a key business connection between the Washington Metropolitan region. Moreover, Dulles is well situated in United's domestic network and would provide one-stop connecting opportunities for passengers from several central and western cities in the United States.

• Houston is the largest city in Texas and fourth largest city in the U.S. Texans and businesses in the state would benefit tremendously from United's new competition in the U.S-Cuba market. While there are nearly 20,000 Cuban-Americans in Houston alone, United's service would also connect communities across the central and western U.S. In total, United's Houston proposal can reach a Cuban-American population approaching 200,000. Due to the prominent placement of Houston in United's robust network, this proposed service would directly connect 20 key markets across the central and western U.S. to Cuba with just one stop in Houston.

• Chicago is the heart of the Midwest and serves as a key connection point for our country. United's Chicago O'Hare--Havana service would increase the range of consumer options for travel to Cuba from the Midwest and central states and would provide an important link between Chicagoland's nearly 10 million residents and the Cuban market. Chicago is United's home and is well positioned in the carrier's network to provide one-stop connecting opportunities for passengers from throughout the United States.

I am grateful for the Department's work in concluding an historic agreement to liberalize air services between the U.S. and Cuba. I hope the Department will grant United's application for all the pro-consumer and pro-business benefits that United's new service would provide.
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Old Mar 10, 2016, 1:54 pm
  #138  
 
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Originally Posted by gnomie
Just received an email from United to fill out a form that would automatically send a letter in my name to the DOT in support of United's application to fly non-stop from EWR to Cuba.

Time is of the utmost importance - must be completed by 3/14/16
I will be shocked if United doesn't get awarded EWR-HAV.
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Old Mar 10, 2016, 2:07 pm
  #139  
 
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So what would the impact of hundreds of these form letters arriving at the DOT actually be?
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Old Mar 10, 2016, 6:12 pm
  #140  
 
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Originally Posted by transportprof
So what would the impact of hundreds of these form letters arriving at the DOT actually be?
Yeah...does it really matter?

At least for me, I fly out of EWR, and given the Cuban population in Jersey, there is no way that UA doesn't get a flight from here.

What I still don't understand is the lack of frequency proposed from other cities, especially LAX or SFO.
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Old Mar 10, 2016, 7:21 pm
  #141  
 
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Originally Posted by transportprof
So what would the impact of hundreds of these form letters arriving at the DOT actually be?
There will be no impact. Makes people feel like they did something to support the company--and that's about it.
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 11:51 am
  #142  
 
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Originally Posted by Cledaybuck
I will be shocked if United doesn't get awarded EWR-HAV.
What routes did UA get?
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 11:54 am
  #143  
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Originally Posted by Madone59
What routes did UA get?
They haven't awarded the HAV routes yet.
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 12:00 pm
  #144  
 
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Originally Posted by Madone59
What routes did UA get?
While it appears UA was shut out directly....

Is it safe to assume UA will be code sharing with Silvers route out of FLL?

Originally Posted by wrp96
They haven't awarded the HAV routes yet.
They did about an hour ago.
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 12:02 pm
  #145  
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Originally Posted by jhayes_1780
They did about an hour ago.
No, that only covered non-Havana flights. The Havana flights will be awarded at a later date. http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w...m_term=nprnews
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 12:02 pm
  #146  
 
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Originally Posted by jhayes_1780
While it appears UA was shut out directly....

Is it safe to assume UA will be code sharing with Silvers route out of FLL?



They did about an hour ago.
Nope, HAV gets awarded later this summer (http://thehill.com/policy/transporta...to-fly-to-cuba) and UA only applied for HAV...so no need for negative spin on getting shut out.
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 6:57 pm
  #147  
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Local news here in JAX is reporting that Silver will also be adding JAX-Cuba flights. Silver is wasting no time. They have this on their Internet site:

***Announcing Cuba! Prices will be available Saturday, June 11, 2016***
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Old Jun 10, 2016, 7:58 pm
  #148  
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Originally Posted by TomMM
Local news here in JAX is reporting that Silver will also be adding JAX-Cuba flights. Silver is wasting no time. They have this on their Internet site:
It's been a long time since I've flown intra Florida, but I was under the impression they only fly cropdusters

From DOT website which shows carriers, frequencies and plane type, SAAB340 with 34 seat.
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Old Jul 7, 2016, 7:57 am
  #149  
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Report on TPG that the Havana flights have been announced. The Nonstop Flights Airlines Will Launch to Havana.

Very poor UA options - daily from EWR, once a week from IAH. Is this everything? If so, UA will not be a viable option from the west coast. (But AS got a daily flight from LAX . . . chalk one up to them in the coming battle for west coast supremacy.)
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Old Jul 7, 2016, 8:08 am
  #150  
 
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Originally Posted by Kacee
Very poor UA options - daily from EWR, once a week from IAH. Is this everything? If so, UA will not be a viable option from the west coast. (But AS got a daily flight from LAX . . . chalk one up to them in the coming battle for west coast supremacy.)
Aside from weekly frequencies ORD/IAD-HAV, UA got all it requested... a very modest entry, IMO, but EWR-HAV should be a winner.
EWR764 is offline  


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