United Airlines to Launch Havana Flights from Houston and New York

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tentatively awarded United Airlines nonstop flights to Havana from its global gateways in New York/Newark and Houston.

United will operate the Newark Liberty International Airport - Havana flights on a daily basis while the service between Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport and Havana will operate on Saturdays.

“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.”

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, said, “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.”

Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is United’s gateway to Latin America. The airline 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.”

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