First Cuba-Bound Flight from NYC in 50 Years Departs JFK

QUEENS, NY — JetBlue Flight 243 took off about 30 minutes late Monday morning, but passengers weren't irritated by the delay. Despite the holdup, travelers rejoiced: This is JetBlue's first commercial flight from New York City to Havana in more than fifty years, ironically just a few days after Cuban dictator Fidel Castro's death.

This historic flight is scheduled to land at Havana’s José Martí International Airport around 1 p.m., according to JetBlue's website. The company has since scheduled daily flights to and from the island's capital city and New York City. A round trip in January typically costs $250 to $300.

JetBlue became the first U.S. carrier to operate commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba on Aug. 31, 2016, with its flight from Fort Lauderdale to Santa Clara Abel Santamaría International Airport.

Robin Hayes, the president and chief executive officer of JetBlue, was at JFK Monday morning to wave the flight off.

"Our customers today were very excited to be going," Hayes told Patch. "We see very high levels of interest on flights to Cuba. In fact, I am probably asked about our flight to Havana more than anywhere else we fly."

The United States' second-largest Cuban-American population resides in the New York metropolitan area. This flight is another milestone in a new era of economic exchange between the U.S. and Cuba.

"Many of those on the flight appreciated how much easier it is to fly now and how much the cost has come down," Hayes said.

American Airlines also launched a one-hour commercial flight from Miami to Havana Monday, NBC New York reports. Airlines such as Frontier, Spirit, United and Southwest plan to start flying regularly to Havana in the coming weeks.

The U.S. has had limited travel to Cuba since Castro took power more than 50 years ago. President Barack Obama began the process of normalizing relations with Cuba in July 2015, ending a 55-year trade embargo and easing travel restrictions.

While many people are celebrating the new flights, President-elect Donald Trump's policies toward the country may affect access to Cuba.

Since U.S. tourism to Cuba is still illegal, every customer must complete an affidavit that affirms the customer is going to Cuba for one of 12 reasons of approved travel from the U.S. Department of Treasury. These include educational research, family visits and travel for athletic competitions. Travelers must also obtain a visa and travel insurance.

Photo courtesy of JetBlue