Photo: Delta Air Lines executives including Henry Kuykendall, Delta’s Vice President – New York, celebrated at JFK International Airport alongside the crew members of Delta Flight 448, the airline’s first regularly scheduled flight to depart from the U.S. to Cuba in 55 years.

Delta Air Lines launched service recently from the U.S. to Cuba with an inaugural flight from New York’s JFK airport to Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport.  

This marks Delta’s return to nonstop passenger service from the U.S. to the Cuban capital for the first time in 55 years, connecting the New York City area, home to the second largest Cuban-American population, to Havana. The new service adds to the 14 Latin American and Caribbean destinations Delta already serves from New York year-round.

Passengers on the inagural flight received special items on board as part of the celebration including: a complimentary mojito, an inaugural flight certificate, a signature chocolate cigar, Cuba postcards and commemorative luggage tags.

Delta is the only existing U.S. carrier to previously operate passenger service to Cuba, having inherited service to Havana from its merger with Chicago and Southern Air Lines in 1953. Earlier this month, Delta was the first U.S. airline to open a City Ticket Office in Havana in preparation for the resumption of daily nonstop services to Cuba’s capital.

Delta is also commencing service today to Cuba from Miami International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Altogether, Delta will offer almost 3,000 seats weekly between the U.S. and Cuba. Photos and additional coverage of today’s inaugural flights are available at Delta News Hub.

Delta is New York’s largest carrier and has invested more than $2 billion in New York City’s airports, leading the way in improving the traveler experience for an ever-growing number of New York passengers. The airline offers more than 500 peak-day departures to more than 130 destinations worldwide from its hubs at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.