US carriers to fly to Cuba

On June 6, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) approved six US carriers to begin scheduling commercial flights to Cuba. They are American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Jetblue Airways, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. 

The approved destination cities in Cuba do not include Havana, but the DOT is expected to approve airline routes to Havana by the end of summer. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines both have requested Havana routes.

As of press time, only two airlines have scheduled flights, with starting dates in early September: American Airlines (Miami to Cienfuegos, Holguín, Camagüey, Santa Clara and Varadero) and Silver Airways (Fort Lauderdale to Santa Clara, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Coco, Varadero, Cayo Largo del Sur and Manzanillo).

Each US passenger still must comply with US regulations, including falling under one of 12 categories of people whose purpose for travel is approved by the US Department of the Treasury (member of a “People to People” program, educational institution staff member, visiting relatives, etc.).