Alaska Airlines receives U.S. DOT approval to begin Havana, Cuba flying

SEATTLE, Aug. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines today was awarded the right to operate commercial service between Los Angeles and Havana, Cuba. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) officially approved Alaska's application to begin service to the Cuban capital, which still must be approved by the Cuban government before tickets can go on sale.

"We applaud Secretary Anthony Foxx and the team at DOT for their thoughtful and impartial approach toward opening U.S. commercial service to Cuba," said John Kirby, Alaska's vice president of capacity planning. "As the only carrier to be awarded daily nonstop service from the West Coast to Havana, we're excited to be one of the first airlines to serve Cuba on a scheduled basis in more than 50 years."

Once Alaska receives official approval from the Cuban government, the airline will determine when to begin service.

The Alaska Airlines flight will originate in Seattle with same plane service to Los Angeles and then Havana.

Traveling to Cuba involves advance planning. The U.S. government doesn't allow Americans to visit Cuba strictly for tourism – U.S. citizens are permitted to travel to Cuba if they fall under 12 approved categories, such as family visits, education, journalism and humanitarian projects. Learn more about the travel requirements and travel tips to Cuba at www.alaskaair.com/cuba.

Tentative schedule of new service:

Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. With Alaska's global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to your device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines