United Airlines one step closer to offering service to Cuba

United Airlines has taken the final steps necessary to begin offering commercial air service to Cuba soon, United said this week.

The company said it submitted its final procedural filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), calling for United flights to Cuba originating from Newark, New Jersey; New York City; Houston; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago. In Cuba, all flights would arrive at and take off from Jos Mart International Airport in Havana.

"With people-to-people travel to Cuba now authorized ,it's even more important to ensure individuals across the country ... not only South Florida ... have access to convenient air service to this beautiful and culturally rich country," United Vice President of Regulatory and Policy Affairs Steve Morrissey said.

Enthusiasm for service to Cuba can be found nationwide from United's hub cities, including Perryn Lynch, managing director of the Houston Grand Opera (HGO).

"United's new route from Houston to Havana would grant us greater access to Caribbean artists and audiences, increasing the possibilities for the generous in-kind travel support we receive annually from United Airlines that helps make HGO's productions truly 'world-class,' " Lynch said.