Above: Havana

By the Caribbean Journal staff

JetBlue is expanding its charter services to Cuba, the company announced Tuesday.

The company said it would be launching charter flights between New York and Havana, making it the first major carrier to announce a flight to Cuba from New York since last year’s historic rapprochement between the governments of the US and Cuba.

The move comes after a recent high-profile trip by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that included JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes.

“I commend JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes for his leadership in making JetBlue the first major carrier to announce a direct flight from New York to Cuba in this new era between our nations,” Cuomo said in a statement.

Cuba Travel Services will be offering the flight, which will operate on Fridays out of John F Kennedy Airport.

The service will begin July 3.

“In teaming with an experienced charter partner like Cuba Travel Services, our first flight from JFK to Cuba brings JetBlue’s award-winning experience to Cuba-bound customers and offers new direct travel options from New York, where many Cubans live today,” Hayes said.

JetBlue will operate the flights on Airbus A320 aircraft with 150 seats.