November 29, 2016
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.
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.
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.
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