NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- United
Airlines' long-awaited first flight to Havana in over fifty years is scheduled to
depart from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) today,
ending many of the decades-long travel restrictions and opening new
doors for cultural and economic exchange between the neighboring
nations, while also providing the large number of Cuban-American
residents in the New
York/Newark region access
to Havana.
Beginning Tues., Nov. 29, United
will operate daily nonstop flights to the Cuban capital from EWR,
and Saturday nonstop service from Houston.
"This is something that two generations of Cuban-Americans have
dreamt of, and we couldn't be more proud to be the airline that
provides them with the service to their homeland," said
Steve Morrissey, United's vice
president of regulatory and policy. "Today's Newark to Havana flight will be the culmination of many
months of hard work, planning and anticipation. It's truly a day to
celebrate."
Since the DOT announced its preliminary Havana route awards in July, United has been
working closely with the Cuban government and local airport service
providers to prepare for the start of its operation into Josè Martì
International Airport, the airline's 13th new
international route launched this year.
Daily nonstop service from New
York/Newark (EWR)
United's daily nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International
Airport will provide an important gateway to Cuba from the Newark/New York City 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
Newark/New York City region the
most flights to the most destinations around the world.
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.
United will operate both services with Boeing 737 aircraft.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500
flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015,
United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights
carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have
the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S.
mainland hubs in Chicago,
Denver, Houston, Los
Angeles, New
York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720
mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking
delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737NGs, 787s and
777s, as well as six used Airbus A319 aircraft. The airline is a
founding member of Star Alliance,
which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For
more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or
connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United
Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol
UAL.
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SOURCE United Airlines