American Airlines to Charter Flights from Los Angeles to Cuba

MIAMI — American Airlines (AA) and Cuba Travel Services have announced the plans to operate charter flights between Los Angeles and Havana, Cuba, later this year.The new charter service will be commercialized by Cuba Travel Services, and will operate on Saturdays, starting on December 12, served with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The Dallas-based carrier also announced a Saturday service from Miami to Havana, also sold by Cuba Travel Services. The flight will be the sole non-stop service connecting the U.S. West Coast and the island since the ease of travel restrictions.

"American is the premier carrier in Los Angeles and throughout the Caribbean, and this new charter flight shows how we continue to expand our reach by offering new routes and services our customers want," said Art Torno, American's senior vice president – International and Cargo.

Since 1991, American Airlines has served Cuba with special charter flights, and with these additions, the airline will offer 22 weekly flights from Los Angeles, Miami and Tampa to five destinations in Cuba: Camaguey, Cienfuegos, Havana, Holguin and Santa Clara. American expects to operate nearly 1,200 charter flights to the island, consistent with its leading role in the Caribbean region with up to 150 daily scheduled flights to over 30 destinations.