PHOTO: There are still no carriers offering direct flights from the U.S. to Cuba, but indirect flights have been available for years. (Photo by David Cogswell)
Cheapair.com, an online travel agency, is now offering flights from U.S. cities to Cuba via a third country. The company claims to be the first travel agency to offer flights to Cuba, but with more than 60,000 travel agencies in the U.S., the claim is difficult to verify.
Though the U.S. embargo remains in effect, Americans can travel to Cuba if they fit into one of 12 categories of traveler, and since travel regulations were relaxed by Obama last December, Americans no longer have to have to have their trips approved in advance by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Americans no longer need a license to travel to Cuba. But they still need to comply with the regulations and be ready to satisfy federal officials if questioned.
On Jan. 15, OFAC released its new guidelines to conform with President Obama's changes in policy. The new guidelines made it legal for travel agents to book flights to Cuba, and to earn commissions from it. But no airlines are yet offering direct flights to Cuba.
Cheapair.com has skirted the issue by offering flights on various airlines, including Interjet, Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico or United Airlines through Mexico City.
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