Jan 17, 2015, 12:47 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
UA Service to Havana Starts Nov 29, 2016 - from EWR (daily), IAH (weekly)
Jul 7, 2016, 2:12 pm
#166
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Parsing milepig's data to show only top 5 Cuban-American population (2013):
1 Miami 1,017,855
2 New York 145,336
3 Tampa 93,553
4 Los Angeles 49,014
5 Orlando 42,904
The size of #2 New York's Cuban-American population is only 14% of #1 Miami's. Two ways of looking: 1) MIA with 4x/day is underserved; 2) EWR/JFK with 2x/day is overserved, so is LAX with 1x/day.
2 New York 145,336
3 Tampa 93,553
4 Los Angeles 49,014
5 Orlando 42,904
The size of #2 New York's Cuban-American population is only 14% of #1 Miami's. Two ways of looking: 1) MIA with 4x/day is underserved; 2) EWR/JFK with 2x/day is overserved, so is LAX with 1x/day.
Jul 7, 2016, 2:18 pm
#167
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1 Miami 1,017,855
2 New York 145,336
3 Tampa 93,553
4 Los Angeles 49,014
5 Orlando 42,904
The size of #2 New York's Cuban-American population is only 14% of #1 Miami's. Two ways of looking: 1) MIA with 4x/day is underserved; 2) EWR/JFK with 2x/day is overserved, so is LAX with 1x/day.
2 New York 145,336
3 Tampa 93,553
4 Los Angeles 49,014
5 Orlando 42,904
The size of #2 New York's Cuban-American population is only 14% of #1 Miami's. Two ways of looking: 1) MIA with 4x/day is underserved; 2) EWR/JFK with 2x/day is overserved, so is LAX with 1x/day.
Jul 7, 2016, 2:32 pm
#168
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UA will feed traffic to EWR and AS will feed traffic to LAX. Both relatively convenient as connecting airports.
Jul 7, 2016, 2:50 pm
#169
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My mistake, MIA will actually get 5x/day (add 1x for DL), so the lopsidedness of frequencies might already take into account the tourist traffic. No doubt, the NYC area can support more frequencies than 2x/day, just like it does for other Caribbean destinations, but IMO the bulk of U.S.-HAV traffic, nonstop or via connections, flows through MIA/FLL.
Jul 7, 2016, 3:06 pm
#170
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I think it's safe to say DL is not flying daily nonstops from ATL to serve the local Cuban population (all 21,000 of them). They'll pull connecting traffic from all over the country. Apparently UA decided it didn't want any of that, otherwise it would have requested a daily nonstop from its latin hub at IAH.
We'll see who's smarter. My money is not on UA.
ps. thanks for the data milepig . . . not a comment on your post here at all, just borrowing your research
We'll see who's smarter. My money is not on UA.
ps. thanks for the data milepig . . . not a comment on your post here at all, just borrowing your research
Jul 7, 2016, 3:39 pm
#171
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Yes but for awhile it be adventure tourism, not club med.
Jul 7, 2016, 5:08 pm
#172
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Here's a chart of the Cuban American population by US city (top 10) from Nerdwallet:
Rank Place Total population in 2013 Cuban-American population in 2013
1 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 5,673,185 1,017,855
2 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 19,716,880 145,336
3 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 2,819,241 93,553
4 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 12,945,252 49,014
5 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 2,183,363 42,904
6 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 9,488,493 23,108
7 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 633,968 21,960
8 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 5,379,176 21,324
9 Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL 328,209 20,947
10 Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV 1,976,925 20,857
I figure the FL cities are logical for AA to pick up.
EWR serves the number 2 population.
AS got LAX for some reason.
DL got ATL.
That only leave Vegas from the top 10.
Rank Place Total population in 2013 Cuban-American population in 2013
1 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 5,673,185 1,017,855
2 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 19,716,880 145,336
3 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 2,819,241 93,553
4 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 12,945,252 49,014
5 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 2,183,363 42,904
6 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 9,488,493 23,108
7 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 633,968 21,960
8 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 5,379,176 21,324
9 Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL 328,209 20,947
10 Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV 1,976,925 20,857
I figure the FL cities are logical for AA to pick up.
EWR serves the number 2 population.
AS got LAX for some reason.
DL got ATL.
That only leave Vegas from the top 10.
Jul 7, 2016, 6:08 pm
#173
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I think it's safe to say DL is not flying daily nonstops from ATL to serve the local Cuban population (all 21,000 of them). They'll pull connecting traffic from all over the country. Apparently UA decided it didn't want any of that, otherwise it would have requested a daily nonstop from its latin hub at IAH.
We'll see who's smarter. My money is not on UA.
ps. thanks for the data milepig . . . not a comment on your post here at all, just borrowing your research
We'll see who's smarter. My money is not on UA.
ps. thanks for the data milepig . . . not a comment on your post here at all, just borrowing your research
What I am thinking is that UA is hedging its bets and that in the next round of slot allocations to HAV (there isn't anyone who doesn't think Cuba won't be successful and you can be sure the airlines will push the U.S. and Cuba for more slots--the only questions are how soon they can/will ask and when they would be approved) UA will make a bigger push for more slots than they got this time.
Jul 7, 2016, 6:15 pm
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My mistake, MIA will actually get 5x/day (add 1x for DL), so the lopsidedness of frequencies might already take into account the tourist traffic. No doubt, the NYC area can support more frequencies than 2x/day, just like it does for other Caribbean destinations, but IMO the bulk of U.S.-HAV traffic, nonstop or via connections, flows through MIA/FLL.
Jul 7, 2016, 6:32 pm
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Jul 7, 2016, 8:50 pm
#176
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And Frontier is probably looking at a golden egg: Cubanos looking for an inexpensive flight from southeast Florida to La Habana.
(wait, is that the new math I've been reading about?)
Jul 7, 2016, 10:46 pm
#178
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UA didn't really care as much about these slots compared to everyone else. They only applied for a daily flight from EWR. I think they were lucky to be given a Saturday flight from IAH. Now, I do think they are smart in doing this, as their hubs leave them in no position to add more than a daily flight from the NY area and a weekly IAH flight (maybe IAH could have been daily), and I think the other airlines overestimate Cuba traffic.
Jul 7, 2016, 11:42 pm
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So does Cubana get to fly to the USA? If so, where are they going to fly? Will Cubana be able to do code-shares or become a member of an airline alliance?
Jul 8, 2016, 1:18 am
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They don't want to, because their assets may get seized upon landing in the US. It's still a very complicated relationship between the US and Cuba.
Actually, I think UA handled Cuba brilliantly, because:
There is a million and a half seats getting added to the US-Cuba, and it's far from apparent that there will be enough demand to sustain all these flights. There's only a million Cuban-Americans after all, most of whom are in South Florida (and only FTers will fly MIA-IAH-HAV). As long as the tourism restrictions stay in place, Cuba is going to be a tough market to crack.
Actually, I think UA handled Cuba brilliantly, because:
There is a million and a half seats getting added to the US-Cuba, and it's far from apparent that there will be enough demand to sustain all these flights. There's only a million Cuban-Americans after all, most of whom are in South Florida (and only FTers will fly MIA-IAH-HAV). As long as the tourism restrictions stay in place, Cuba is going to be a tough market to crack.
