Photo Courtesy of JetBlue
Governor Andrew Cuomo called this week’s inaugural flight “a milestone.”
By Forum Staff
JetBlue Airways, headquartered in Long Island City, made history this week with the launch of service to Cuba.
The first flight took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday shortly after 9 a.m. destined for Havana’s José Martí International Airport.
Flight 243 became the first commercial flight to Cuba from the New York area since scheduled service resumed this year and marked the first day of U.S. commercial service to the Cuban capital in more than 50 years. The New York metropolitan area is home to the second-largest Cuban-American population in the U.S., JetBlue noted.
“This inaugural flight between New York and Havana is a milestone in this new era of progress between our two nations, and another tangible result of this state’s successful trade mission to Cuba,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “I congratulate JetBlue on this landmark accomplishment, which will help further ties and strengthen the economic relationship between New York and Cuba.”
New York flights were followed this week by JetBlue’s first nonstop flights between Orlando International Airport and Havana on Tuesday, and new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Havana on Wednesday. A second nonstop between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Havana will begin Thursday, Dec. 1, and operate daily except Saturdays, according to the airline.
“JetBlue didn’t even exist when commercial service ended, and now we are a leading airline in Cuba and the Caribbean,” said Robin Hayes, president and chief executive officer of JetBlue. “We are proud to touch down in Havana today on the very first day of commercial service between the U.S. and Cuba’s capital.”
JetBlue also announced that it “is taking a number of steps unique to its Cuba launch” to help customers with certain travel requirements:
- Health insurance: JetBlue includes Cuban government-required health insurance coverage for all travelers on all Cuba-bound flights.
- Affidavits: Under U.S. regulations, every customer traveling to Cuba must complete an affidavit affirming the customer is going for one of 12 reasons of approved travel from the U.S. Department of Treasury. JetBlue indicated that it has built the completion of the affidavit into the booking process.
- Day-of-travel Cuban Tourist Visa (Tourist Card): Separate from the U.S.-regulated 12 categories, Cuba requires visitors to obtain an entrance visa onto the island. For customers who qualify for a Cuban Tourist Visa (Tourist Card), JetBlue will make those available for purchase upon check-in at one of its gateway airports or at the gate for connecting customers on the day of travel. All travelers to Cuba should make their own determination with respect to the appropriate type of visa required by Cuba for their purpose of travel, the airline noted.
This week, Havana became JetBlue’s 100th destination in 22 countries.
“We commend the work of both U.S. and Cuban officials for making today possible. We also commend the Cuban Ministry of Transportation, IACC, and the Havana Airport for entrusting us to operate this route and look forward to our long-term partnership as we continue to grow our presence in Cuba,” Hayes added.
