The race to Cuba is underway, and six national airlines have already received approval to operate flights to the island after borders reopened to U.S. travelers. JetBlue is currently the standout, offering promotional one-way fares from the United States for just $99. The carrier will operate service from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to three Cuban destinations: Santa Clara (SNU), Holguín (HOG), and Camagüey (CMW).
Service will begin with three weekly flights in September, ramping up to daily flights by October and November. The $99 one-way fare is part of an introductory promotion to promote the new routes and will likely rise once initial demand levels off. Other carriers, including American Airlines and Southwest, are already listing fares that can exceed $200.
U.S. travelers planning a trip to Cuba must still qualify under one of the 12 approved travel categories that permit travel to the country. JetBlue’s booking process requires passengers to select the appropriate category and start the visa documentation process at the time of ticket purchase. In addition, travel medical insurance is mandatory for all visitors to Cuba and is included in the fee charged at booking.