United Continental : Airlines Service to Havana Starts November 29

CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2016/PRNewswire / -- The countdown to Cubais officially underway at United Airlines after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the company final approval to launch service to Havanafrom two of its hubs this fall. Beginning Nov. 29, United will start daily nonstop flights to the Cuban capital from New York/Newarkand Saturday nonstop service from Houstonwith both services subject to government approval. Customers can begin booking flights to Havanavia united.com today.

Since the DOT announced its preliminary Havanaroute awards in July, United has been working closely with the Cuban government to prepare for the start of its operation into José Martí International Airport.

'I'm incredibly proud of all the dedicated aviation professionals here at United who are working hard to get our historic Cubaservice ready for takeoff in November,' said Oscar Munoz, United's CEO. 'The final approval by the DOT reaffirms that our flights will ensure better choice, convenience and competition for all travelers on this important route, and I want to thank the DOT for their decision.'

United's services to Havanawill mark the company's 13th new international route launched in 2016. Since March, United has started nonstop service between the U.S. and Auckland, New Zealand; Tel Aviv, Israel; Xi'an, China; Singapore; Hangzhou, China; Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Nassau, Bahamas, and Lisbon, Portugal.

Daily nonstop service from New York/Newark(EWR)

United's daily nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport will provide an important gateway to Cubafrom the Newark/New York Cityregion, the largest metropolitan area in the country and home to the second-largest population of Cuban Americans. For more than 20 years, United has offered the Newark/New York Cityregion the most flights to the most destinations around the world.

Saturday nonstop service from Houston(IAH)

Recognized by 'Trusted Traveler Network' as one of the most international-friendly points of entry for foreign travelers, Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is United's gateway to Latin America. United offers 91 daily nonstop flights to 52 destinations across Latin Americaand the Caribbeanfrom its Houstonhub. Bush Intercontinental will be an important gateway for service to Havanaand will directly connect 20 markets across the central and western United Statesto Cubawith just one stop. The Cuban-American population in the Houstonmetropolitan area ranks among the top ten cities in the country.

United will operate both services with Boeing 737 aircraft.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,000 flights a day to 336 airports across six continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Franciscoand Washington, D.C.United operates more than 715 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737 NGs, 787s and 777s. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. Approximately 86,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO

SOURCE United Airlines

For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, [phone], [e-mail]