JetBlue inaugurates route from Boston to Cuba's capital

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 11:37 pm CST, Saturday, November 10, 2018

HAVANA (AP) — A JetBlue flight from Boston landed in Havana on Saturday, as the U.S. airline expanded its routes to Cuba despite a drop in American visitors amid tensions between the countries.

The plane with more than 120 passengers on board was received with flags from both countries at the Jose Marti airport in Cuba's capital.

"From the first day we've been willing to commit ourselves to this island long term," said Giselle Cortes, director of international airports at JetBlue. "We've been the only one who has not canceled any routes but have added Havana to Boston."

Commercial flights between the countries were ended a half century ago during the Cold War. But they resumed in 2016 amid the rapprochement between Washington and Cuba that followed the 2014 return of diplomatic relations under the Obama administration.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/world/article/JetBlue-inaugurates-route-from-Boston-to-Cuba-s-13381473.php

[Mike Rows His Boat]

1. Don't Americans have travel restrictions since the Trump regime?

Didn’t we revert back to pre Obama-era travel rules?

I have passports for both, so I don’t know what regular second class* Americans have to endure.

(*- second class in that Cuban-Americans have no such restrictions.)

[mastermind]

2. I think the same rules apply, going on an education visa of some sort

but I think they change it to a regular tourist visa when they arrive, Anyway, theres ways around the fascist US rules.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

6. I don't have to find a way to dodge rules. 2nd class US citizens do.

My point is that the US gov’t forces Americans to either comply with said restrictions or break the law.

Cuban exiles and Cuban-Americans have no US gov’t rules to dodge. We’re a “special” class of citizen/residents.

[Submariner]

4. We don't listen to Trump in Massachusetts

We wake up each morning hoping he killed himself. What's he going to do? Sue us? F him.

[SFnomad]

11. I don't believe we have reverted back to pre Obama-era travel rules, yet ...

If you attempt to book a flight to Havana via JetBlue, you must answer the required question about the authorized reason for your visit. You can choose from the following options:

• Cuban National and Resident of Cuba
• Educational activities and people-to-people exchanges
• Travel related to certain authorized export transactions
• Family Visits
• Official Business of the US government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Humanitarian projects
• Exportation, importation or transmission of information or informational materials
• Journalistic activity
• Specific License
• Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions and exhibitions
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Professional research or professional meetings
• Religious activities
• Support for the Cuban people

I believe this is the expanded list from when Obama opened up travel for US citizens.

On Edit:
It does look like tRump has tightened things up some ...
https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-travel-to-cuba-as-an-american-4157753
Though it's pretty clear that this web page isn't up to date and it has a posting date of just last month

[Mike Rows His Boat]

12. As a Cuban-American I don't have to comply with any of that.

We Cuban-Americans are free, and free to travel. If you’re not Cuban or Cuban-American you are travel restricted by the US gov’t. Sad.

[SergeStorms]

3. My son-in-law's sister and husband are going over Thanksgiving week.

They live in Boston and are really psyched about it. He's an Australian ex-pat too. I can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories. I've been fascinated with Cuba ever since I was a little kid, and Havana was in the baseball International League. Twice a year they'd make the trip to Rochester, NY and I loved to watch them play ball. Those guys were fantastic baseball players!

[Sunlei]

5. People still fly from countries like Mexico & countries further south without USA connections.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

7. Of course. Cuba is a destination for millions around the planet.

Only Americans have comply with or dodge Stone Age Cold War era US regulation. The rest of the world are entirely free to do so, just not Americans.

[Sunlei]

8. I know what you mean. USA seems to overlord/'rule' all their former slave islands.

second class (no disaster aid,no vote for you!)citizens for some of those islands, even today.

[Mike Rows His Boat]

9. Except Cuba.

[Sunlei]

10. I think it's the cigars & rum. Republican party just can't buy better cigars to carry home

in their duty free/tax free/not searched diplomats luggage..