Delta to Restart Cuba Service in 2023

On Friday, Delta Air Lines announced its plan to reinstate service to Havana next year after a three-year break.

Beginning April 10, 2023, Delta will operate two daily nonstop flights from Miami International Airport to José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba. Delta resumed flights to Cuba in 2016 after a 55-year absence but halted them again in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline has indicated a strong demand for travel to Cuba and aims to fully restore its network to the island by next summer, according to Delta.

This decision follows the Biden administration's commitment earlier this year to ease travel between the U.S. and Cuba, reversing the restrictions imposed by the Trump administration five years ago.

In May, the U.S. State Department released a statement detailing that the Biden administration would implement measures to increase flights between the U.S. and Cuba. A significant change for prospective leisure travelers is the reinstatement of group people-to-people tours and educational travel. Additionally, some business travel related to professional meetings and research is now permitted.

While the administration did not approve individual people-to-people travel, a policy established by President Obama that allowed solo travelers to engage in cultural exchanges in Cuba, the resumption of group tours means licensed tour operators and travel companies such as InsightCuba, Intrepid Travel, and G Adventures can now organize group trips to Cuba. These tours will focus on meaningful cultural and educational experiences with the Cuban people.

State Department spokesman Ned Price stated, "With these actions, we aim to support Cubans' aspirations for freedom and greater economic opportunities to lead successful lives at home," in reference to the new policies.

The U.S. State Department outlines 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba: family visits; official government business; journalistic activities; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, exhibitions, and athletic competitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations, research, or educational institutes; exportation or importation; and certain authorized export transactions.

Delta’s new nonstop flights from Miami to Cuba will be operated using Airbus A320 aircraft, offering first-class, Delta Comfort+, and economy seating. Passengers can enjoy in-flight entertainment, free mobile messaging, and the option to purchase high-speed Wi-Fi.