American Airlines Starting Flights to Havana November 28, Beating United By One Day

by Enoch

In July 2016, when the DOT approved flights to Havana, American Airlines came out as a bit of a winner. They were allotted five daily flights: 4 from Miami and 1 from Charlotte. That is hardly surprising, considering Cuban-Americans make up 54% of the city’s population.

We recently reported that United will be launching direct flights to Havana starting November 29 from Newark. Seemingly not to be outdone by United, it looks like American will be launching non-stop service to Havana one day earlier, on November 28. The one-hour inaugural flight will depart from Miami at 7:30 in the morning, reaching Havana just one hour later.

American Airlines still has not officially announced the flight, but it is now bookable on AA.com. Seats are still available for the inaugural flight, with a one-way ticket starting at $177. Business Class starts at $306.

American Airlines' inaugural flight to Havana is now bookable on AA.com

American Airlines’ inaugural flight to Havana is now bookable on AA.com

On November 28 and 29, American is only operating one flight to Havana. However, they will be quickly expanding service, and on November 30 they will be offering 4 daily flights. All flights will be operated by 737 aircrafts.

Starting November 30, American Airlines will operate four daily flights to Havana from Miami.

Starting November 30, American Airlines will operate four daily flights to Havana from Miami.

For those curious, award space is actually pretty wide open. You can even score a Business Class seat on the inaugural flight with American miles. However, at 15,000/25,000 miles one-way for Economy/Business Class, it’s not a very good use of AA miles. In my experience, I was not able to book the flights using Avios.

Award availability is great on the new Miami-Havana flights

Award availability is great on the new Miami-Havana flights

Award availability is great on the new flights

It also looks like Charlotte will be getting its direct flights to Havana starting November 30. The 2 hour 42 minute flight will be operated by an A319, and tickets are already on sale.

American Airlines will launch direct flights to Havana from Charlotte on November 30

American Airlines will launch direct flights to Havana from Charlotte on November 30

We also previously reported that American is dealing with some issues regarding staffing for Cuba flights. Specifically, Cuban government is refusing entry (and hence) overnight privileges to any Cuban-American AA flight crew member.

Aside from American and United, Delta and Spirit airlines will also both be launching direct flights to Havana. Delta will be flying from Miami, Atlanta, and New York-JFK, while Spirit will be flying from Ft. Fort Lauderdale. Both will begin service on December 1.

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Related Articles

1 comment

Havana Will Be JetBlue's 100th City, Fares from $54 One-Way - Point Me to the Plane October 20, 2016 - 10:38 am

[…] Havana flight, which will launch on November 28. This is the same day that American Airlines is set to begin flying between Miami (MIA) and Havana. JetBlue’s flights between Orlando and Havana will launch a […]

Reply

Leave a Comment