Wheels Up Adds Cuba Service Via 18 U.S. Airports

Wheels Up is now offering flights to and from Havana, Cuba, on its fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350i turboprops and Cessna Citation Excel/XLSs through any of the 18 Customs and Border Protection-designated U.S. airports, the membership charter firm announced on Tuesday. It has also launched an on-the-ground booking assistance program in Cuba for its more than 3,500 members.

“We’re excited to be among the first of the American private aviation companies to make flights available to and from Havana,” said Wheels Up founding partner Justin Firestone. “Wheels Up has arranged more than 150 flights between the U.S. and Cuba and is now averaging more than any other major U.S. private aviation provider.”

To obtain a visa to fly to Cuba, passengers must still qualify for one of the 12 approved categories required to visit Cuba under the U.S. General License. To help Wheels Up members secure the necessary visas, provide itineraries and obtain logistical coordination for U.S. residents traveling to Cuba, Wheels Up has partnered with Engage Cuba Travel and Services and Cuba Educational Travel.

Wheels Up is also a founding member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Cuba Business Council and is currently represented on the board of directors.