USA-Cuba flights commence.

[drron]

For the first time in more than 50 years, a scheduled commercial flight from the United States has landed in Cuba. JetBlue Flight 387 touched down in Santa Clara, Cuba, at around 11 a.m. after departing Ft. Lauderdale earlier this morning with 150 people on board.

Ten U.S.-based airlines that have now been approved for scheduled service to the island are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country and United Airlines.

Historic Flight From US Touches Down in Cuba - ABC News

 

[RooFlyer]

I heard this on the radio yesterday, but then the details put it in perspective. The following would apply to US citizens of course; not sure about non US citizens flying from the US.

Can I Go as a Tourist?

No, you still cannot travel to Cuba as a tourist. That means no “sun-and-sand” vacations to those white sand beaches.

In order to go to Cuba, you must verify that you meet one of the 12 pre-approved categories allowed by the U.S. government. This includes family visits and research, journalistic, religious or educational activities.

The most common form of travel is “people-to people.” That is a term for cultural exchanges: meeting the Cuban people in their everyday life, seeing schools or community projects and museums, maybe even take in a favorite Cuban (and American) pastime, baseball. But you must keep records of your activities while there.

You used to have to do this as part of a tour group, but President Obama changed that requirement earlier this year. And pre-approval is no longer necessary from the U.S. government.

“That’s why we’re encouraging travel -- which will build bridges between our people, and bring more revenue to those Cuban small businesses,” Obama said while traveling in Cuba earlier this year.
Do I Need a Visa?

You do need a Cuban visa to visit. But Cuba does not issue visas that match perfectly the requirements of the 12-categories approved by the U.S. government for travel.
[h=3]What About the Embargo?[/h]That is still in effect, and don’t expect it to go away anytime soon. Obama called on Congress to lift the embargo when he was in Cuba earlier this year, going so far as to say, "The embargo’s going to end. When, I can’t be entirely sure."
And “when” still remains the big question.