JetBlue Becomes the First U.S. Airline to
Operate Commercial Service Between U.S. and Cuba in More Than 50
Years
Launch of Service in Santa Clara – JetBlue’s
97th Destination – Is First in Series of Inaugural Flights That
Will Position JetBlue as the Preferred Airline for Cuban Travel
JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU) today made history when it touched down in
Santa Clara, Cuba, becoming the first U.S. airline to operate a
commercial flight between the two countries in more 50 years.
JetBlue flight 387 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport (FLL) landed at Abel Santamaría Airport (SNU) just before
11 a.m. local time.
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Crewmembers at the Santa Clara Abel
Santamaría International Airport in Cuba welcome JetBlue flight
387, the first commercial flight to Cuba from U.S. in more than 50
years. (Photo: Business Wire)
The flight ushers in a new era of affordable and convenient air
travel to Cuba, and comes after months of collaboration between
JetBlue, U.S. officials, Cuban officials and business partners to
resume air service between the two countries.
“We are proud to be the first U.S. airline to serve Cuba, but
our focus is on being the best airline serving Cuba,” said Robin
Hayes, president and chief executive officer, JetBlue. “This
historic flight symbolizes our long-term commitment to provide
affordable, award-winning service between Cuba and the U.S. For the
first time in decades, families separated by only a short stretch
of water can easily and affordably visit a loved one, attend an
important occasion or visit a special place – and the role we play
speaks directly to our mission of inspiring humanity.”
Hayes, along with JetBlue leadership, government officials from
both nations, dignitaries and the first customers, were welcomed in
Santa Clara with a water canon salute and a celebration by Cuban
officials at the airport located some 160 miles east of Havana.
The occasion marked not only the first U.S. scheduled commercial
flight since the 1960s, but also the first time an American carrier
has operated a scheduled commercial jetliner between the U.S. and
Cuba, as U.S. airlines only flew propeller-powered aircraft to the
Caribbean island before the embargo began.
“We commend the incredible and tireless work of both U.S. and
Cuban officials for making today possible. We extend our deep
appreciation to the Ministry of Transportation, IACC, and the Santa
Clara Airport for entrusting us to operate this historic flight and
look forward to our long-term partnership as we continue to grow
our presence in Cuba. And in the U.S., we congratulate
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and the Department of
Transportation, Secretary John Kerry and the Department of State,
Secretary Penny Pritzker and the Department of Commerce, and the
Obama Administration for their leadership in achieving this
historic milestone,” said JetBlue CEO Hayes.
“Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is proud to be
the first airport in the United States to offer regularly scheduled
commercial service to Cuba,” said Mark Gale, CEO/Director, Broward
County Aviation Department. “We look forward to the continued
partnership with JetBlue as they continue their growth and success
here in Broward County.”
JetBlue Sets Out to Remove Cost & Complexity for
Customers
With one-way fares starting at $99 (b) the airline has removed
the high costs and complexity of travel to Cuba while offering the
same award-winning service that has made JetBlue popular throughout
the Caribbean. True to its customer focus, JetBlue is taking a
number of steps unique to its Cuba launch to set it apart from
competitors known for offering high prices and inferior
service:
- Affordable fares: JetBlue offers
a low starting fare to make Cuba more accessible to those visiting
family members or traveling to Cuba for cultural, business or group
travel.
- Health insurance included:
JetBlue includes Cuban government-required health insurance
coverage for all travelers on all Cuba-bound flights so that
customers do not have to worry about obtaining the insurance
separately.
- Affidavit in a few clicks: 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 has
built the completion of the affidavit right into the booking
process so it can be finished in only a couple of clicks.
- 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 contact the Cuban
Embassy in Washington to determine the appropriate type of visa
required by Cuba for their purpose of travel.
- First bag flies free (c), 1+1
carry-ons: To make travel more affordable than before scheduled
service, JetBlue includes at least one free checked bag, up to 50
pounds, in all of its fare options to Cuba. Normal carry-on
regulations will apply: one carry-on and one personal item.
- Breeze in, breeze out of Fort
Lauderdale-Hollywood: Broward County’s Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood
International Airport (FLL) is considered South Florida’s most
convenient airport, centrally located just 30 minutes north of
Miami, and 45 minutes south of Palm Beach. With convenient parking
located a close walking distance from the terminals, travelers can
breeze in and clear security within minutes.
JetBlue Positions Itself to Be Preferred Airline to Cuba, and
Throughout Caribbean
In addition to Santa Clara, JetBlue will launch service between
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Camagüey – Ignacio Agramonte Airport
(CMW) on November 3, and Holguín – Frank País Airport (HOG) on
November 10, subject to receipt of government operating
authority.
JetBlue tentatively plans to serve the Cuban capital of Havana
with daily flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, New York’s
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Orlando
International Airport (MCO) (a). With up to seven daily flights
between the U.S. and Cuba JetBlue is committed to investing in and
growing new Cuban markets.
When service to Cuba begins, JetBlue will operate in 22
countries and the new routes will further grow JetBlue’s presence
in the Caribbean and at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood where the airline
is the largest carrier, flying to more than 50 nonstop destinations
by the end of the year. Customers across the JetBlue network may
also take advantage of JetBlue’s convenient connections to and from
Cuba through its South Florida focus city.
JetBlue’s commercial service follows nearly five years of
successful charter service operating multiple routes between Cuban
markets and U.S. cities. In that time, JetBlue has built strong
relationships with airport authorities and worked closely together
to make the launch of commercial service possible.
Flights between the U.S. and Santa Clara, Camagüey and Holguín
will be operated on JetBlue's Airbus A320 aircraft offering the
airline’s award-winning service, featuring the most legroom in
coach (d); free Fly-Fi, the fastest broadband internet in the sky
(e); complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and soft drinks;
free, live DIRECTV® programming and 100 channels of SiriusXM® radio
in every seatback.
(a) Havana routes subject to final government approval (see DOT
Order 2016-7-4, July 7, 2016, Docket DOT-OST-2016-0021) and subject
to receipt of Cuban government approval.
(b) Blue fare only. Fare is subject to availability; may not be
available on all flights; may change without notice; must be
purchased at time of reservation; and is one-way, nonstop,
nonrefundable and nontransferable. Reservations made one week or
more prior to a flight's scheduled departure may be canceled
without penalty up to 24 hours after the reservation is made. For
Blue and Blue Plus fares to Cuba, first checked bag is included and
second bag is $35. For Blue Flex fares, two checked bags are
included. Customers traveling on flights to or from Cuba and the
USA may not check more than two bags, and oversized and/or
overweight bags are not accepted. Fares do not include other fees
for products/services sold separately, to view these click here.
Cancellations/changes must be made prior to scheduled departure
(otherwise all money for fare is forfeited); up to $150
change/cancel fee per person will apply, and for changes, there may
be a fare adjustment. Cancellations receive JetBlue travel credit,
valid for one year. Proper documentation required for boarding.
Other restrictions apply. The Cuban Government requires visitors to
have health insurance that covers the territory of Cuba and for
U.S. citizens, this means local Cuban health insurance. When
purchasing your JetBlue ticket to Cuba, Cuban health insurance
provided by ESICUBA and administered by Asistur is automatically
included in the cost of your fare. Terms and conditions can be
accessed from the ESICUBA website:
http://www.esicuba.cu/ProdPersonas.html.
(c) Each customer may check a total of two (2) bags. The first
50 pounds checked bag for customers flying to and from Cuba is
included. A second bag may be checked for $35. Additional baggage
and bags that exceed the overall dimensions or weight will not be
allowed onboard flights to/from Cuba. For more information click
here.
(d) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average
fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.
(e) Fly-Fi is not available on flights operating outside of the
continental U.S. For flights originating outside of the continental
U.S., Fly-Fi will be available once the aircraft returns to the
coverage area. Fly-Fi is available on most JetBlue-operated
flights, with fleet-wide installation complete by the end of
2016.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™, and a leading
carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los
Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries
more than 35 million customers a year to 97 cities in the
U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average
of 925 daily flights. For more information please visit
jetblue.com.
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