JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) has announced that flights to Cuba will begin next month.
Here are 10 things to know about the initiative:
- Regularly scheduled commercial flights to Cuba will kick off starting Aug. 31.
- The prices of the fares begin at $99 for one-way tickets.
- Round trips could be as low as $204.
- It’s “the lowest Cuba fare announced so far by a commercial airline,” the Miami Herald reported.
- JetBlue’s first flight to Cuba will connect Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport to Santa Clara — Abel Santamaria airport. This route will occur every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- A daily service will be rolled out on Oct. 1
- The last time that regularly scheduled commercial flights went between the U.S. and Cuba was decades ago.
- Visiting Cuba is still more difficult than visiting Puerto Rico, as visas are necessary, and traveling solely for tourism is not allowed. You can fly for family, journalism, humanitarian projects, educational activities or professional research.
- JetBlue will sell visas at check-in for $50.
- “It’s a new day for Cuba travelers and one we have thoughtfully prepared for,” said Marty St. George, executive vice president of commercial and planning at JetBlue. “We are proud to usher in a new era of Cuba travel with affordable fares and great service.”
Silver Airways and other rivals are beginning to add flight to Cuba as well. Silver is launching one from Ft. Lauderdale to Santa Clara, starting Sept. 1. American Airlines has a service from Miami to five destinations in Cuba during the first and second weeks of September.
JetBlue recently announced that it is adding flights to Europe.
