United Airlines Begins Passenger Flights From Newark To Havana, Cuba
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Passengers took off on the first direct passenger flight from New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport to Havana, Cuba late Tuesday morning.
The inaugural departure ran late because of difficulty checking in passengers, but took off around 11:40 a.m.
The roughly 3 1/2-hour United Airlines flight was initially scheduled to depart Newark at 10:18 a.m. and arrive on the Caribbean island at 1:53 p.m.
United is offering one flight from Newark to Havana each day as well as a Saturday-only direct service to Cuba from Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Commercial flights between the United States and Cuba resumed several months ago as relations between the two countries gradually improved under President Barack Obama.
Tourist travel to the island remains prohibited. The 12 approved categories for travel to Cuba include family visits/people-to-people cultural exchanges, professional meetings, and educational or religious activities, among others.
JetBlue's first scheduled commercial flight from New York to Havana in more than 50 years took off from John F. Kennedy Airport on Monday.
JetBlue has been flying to Cuba out of Miami and other airports since August, when travel restrictions were lifted.
Meanwhile, Cuba is observing a week of mourning for Castro, who died Friday at age 90. Memorial services began with a 21-gun salute Monday ahead of Castro's funeral next Sunday.
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