NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU) today expanded its service to Cuba, operating the airline’s first flight to Camagüey’s Ignacio Agramonte Airport (CMW). With daily nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Camagüey becomes the second city served by JetBlue on the island nation since operating the first commercial flights in more than 50 years between the U.S. and Cuba in August. The new Camagüey route further advances JetBlue’s plan to usher in a new era of affordable and convenient air travel to Cuba.
“Camagüey is the latest move in our commitment to Cuba following our historic first flight in more than 50 years from the U.S. earlier this year,” said Robin Hayes, president and CEO, JetBlue. “With today’s inaugural flight to Camagüey, we bring low fares and our award winning service to yet another new market where customers have faced expensive and complicated service for too long.”
Situated nearly 350 miles to the east of Havana, Camagüey was settled in the early 1500s and today its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring urban squares and historic architecture.
Camagüey expands JetBlue’s Caribbean presence and the airline’s overall reach to 98 cities in 22 countries across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. It also continues to grow JetBlue’s presence at its Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood focus city where it is the No. 1 airline offering flights to more than 50 nonstop destinations. Beyond Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Camagüey is now a convenient connection away from many JetBlue cities.
“We commend the work of both U.S. and Cuban officials for making today possible. We extend our deep appreciation to the Cuban Ministry of Transportation, IACC, and the Camagüey Airport for entrusting us to operate this route and look forward to our long-term partnership as we continue to grow our presence in Cuba,” said JetBlue CEO Hayes.
JetBlue Sets Out to Remove Cost & Complexity for Customers
With affordable fares in each of its Cuban markets, JetBlue has removed the high costs and complexity of travel to Cuba while offering the same award-winning service that has made the airline popular throughout the Caribbean. True to its customer focus, JetBlue is taking a number of steps unique to its Cuba launch to set it apart from competitors known for offering high prices and inferior service:
- Affordable fares: JetBlue offers a low starting fare to make Cuba more accessible to those visiting family members or traveling to Cuba for cultural, business or group travel.
- Health insurance included: JetBlue includes Cuban government-required health insurance coverage for all travelers on all Cuba-bound flights so that customers do not have to worry about obtaining the insurance separately.
- Affidavit in a few clicks: Under U.S. regulations, every customer traveling to Cuba must complete an affidavit affirming the customer is going for one of 12 reasons of approved travel from the U.S. Department of Treasury. JetBlue has built the completion of the affidavit right into the booking process so it can be finished in only a couple of clicks.
- Day-of-travel Cuban Tourist Visa (Tourist Card): Separate from the U.S.-regulated 12 categories, Cuba requires visitors to obtain an entrance visa onto the island. For customers who qualify for a Cuban Tourist Visa (Tourist Card), JetBlue will make those available for purchase upon check-in at one of its gateway airports or at the gate for connecting customers on the day of travel. All travelers to Cuba should make their own determination with respect to the appropriate type of visa required by Cuba for their purpose of travel.
- Breeze in, breeze out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood: Broward County’s Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is considered South Florida’s most convenient airport, centrally located just 30 minutes north of Miami, and 45 minutes south of Palm Beach. With convenient parking located a close walking distance from the terminals, travelers can breeze in and clear security within minutes.
JetBlue to Be Preferred Airline to Cuba, and Throughout Caribbean
In addition to Santa Clara and Camagüey, JetBlue will launch service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Holguín – Frank País Airport (HOG) on November 10. Starting November 28, JetBlue will begin launching service between Havana’s José Martí International Airport (HAV) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood. With up to seven daily flights between the U.S. and Cuba JetBlue is committed to investing in and growing new Cuban markets.
JetBlue’s commercial service follows nearly five years of successful charter service operating multiple routes between Cuban markets and U.S. cities. In that time, JetBlue has built strong relationships with airport authorities and worked closely together to make the launch of commercial service possible.
Flights between the U.S. and Camagüey feature the most legroom in coach (a) and complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and soft drinks.
(a) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 35 million customers a year to 98 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 925 daily flights. For more information please visit jetblue.com.
