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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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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.
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 Dec 17, 2014, 4:08 pm
  #31  
RNE
 
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When Will UA Fly to HAV?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/17/politi...html?hpt=hp_c2
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 4:13 pm
  #32  
 
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Boy, wouldn't that be great! I'm headed there in Feb on a licensed trip, and the Charter operators are horrible.
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 4:22 pm
  #33  
 
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I will wait till the casinos open. :-)
exwannabe is online now  
Old Dec 17, 2014, 4:26 pm
  #34  
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There's already hundreds of seats a day in the market, including American and JetBlue: http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/ZMA/MUHA/
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 4:29 pm
  #35  
 
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Originally Posted by mduell
There's already hundreds of seats a day in the market, including American and JetBlue: http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/ZMA/MUHA/
chartered flights, flights for family members, and other sanctioned folks only
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 4:41 pm
  #36  
 
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What's the odds the airlines have Saver Award fares to Cuba once it opens? None?
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 5:19 pm
  #37  
 
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Originally Posted by EmailKid
Yes, as charters. As is AA, or was, most likely still does.
I flew AA charter in January from MIA. In December 2011 flew JFK-HAV, but I think that was Delta.
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 5:53 pm
  #38  
 
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AA charters from TPA.
overgrownegyptian is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2014, 8:26 pm
  #39  
 
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Well, it would give United yet another chance to emulate Aeroflot...
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Old Dec 17, 2014, 8:43 pm
  #40  
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Originally Posted by PLeblond
The fact is that US citizens can visit and have been able to visit Cuba for a long time, now.
Only with a permit, and with lots of restrictions.

If all you want is the cigars, just come up to Canada and buy them here!
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Old Dec 18, 2014, 10:11 am
  #41  
Formerly known as tireman77
 
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Originally Posted by mahasamatman
Only with a permit, and with lots of restrictions.

If all you want is the cigars, just come up to Canada and buy them here!
I have been on many flight to Cuba with Americans who were travelling there without permits and/or restrictions. Last trip was a few (2 or 3) years ago but 3 people on the plane were Americans, travelling on US passports and did not have a special permit.
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Old Dec 18, 2014, 4:46 pm
  #42  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Originally Posted by mike1968
I read that as Americans can soon to now go direct and vacation there (?)

Given UA has PA's original route authority to Cuba and used to run regular off-schedule 747 charters MIA-HAV during the Miami hub, how soon till we get some scheduled UA flights there?

Or is this something they cede / sell to AA or DL which seem to have better geo hubs to get to Cuba?

Anyone know if AA has a MIA-HAV authority from Braniff / Eastern given that's the basis of AA's LatAm network? They probably seem the more logical to reactivate unless UA had the only route authority.
No, Americans cannot travel to Cuba for tourist purposes. One needs (and will need) a license to travel to Cuba for specific non-tourist purposes. That travel can be accomplished either by flying through a third country (e.g. Mexico, Jamaica, Canada, Grand Cayman, Bahamas) or by taking any of the numerous flights operated as Special Authorization Charters available from the United States each day aboard AA, B6, DL, & UA aircraft. There are 5-10 737s per day, every day.

UA will not be able to offer scheduled passenger service until, and unless, Congress repeals the embargo.
Indelaware is offline  
Old Dec 18, 2014, 5:09 pm
  #43  
 
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Originally Posted by DCA writer
Say, are there any decent lounges in HAV?
I recommend Mojitos on the lawn at the Nacional looking out to sea.

Preferably with an H. Upmann Magnum 50 in your hand.
gglave is offline  
Old Dec 18, 2014, 5:22 pm
  #44  
 
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Originally Posted by DCA writer
Say, are there any decent lounges in HAV?
Three VIP lounges are located in HAV's Terminal 3.

But it begs the question: why would one use a VIP lounge in Cuba? Isn't a main purpose of traveling to Cuba to enjoy a (theoretically) classless society?

Vising a VIP lounger, going to a resort, or hanging out with Raul Castro just seems antithetical to what one would (should) enjoy.
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Old Dec 18, 2014, 6:38 pm
  #45  
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Originally Posted by Indelaware
...Isn't a main purpose of traveling to Cuba to enjoy a (theoretically) classless society?...
Suspect sun, beaches and cheap accommodations rank higher for most visitors (and 1957 Chevys).
WineCountryUA is offline  


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