Delta has returned to Havana. The US carrier has recommenced its operations at José Martí International Airport, with the first flight taking off on April 10th.

The Atlanta-based airline returned to operating in Cuba in 2016 for the first time in 55 years after the United States Federal Government removed restrictions on commercial passenger travel. However, the airline suspended operations with travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic in force during 2020. With travel demand now booming, the airline has restored its Cuban connection.

Previously reported last year by Simple Flying, the airline had planned to resurrect its Havana connection with the Airbus A320; however, as per Flightradar24, Delta looks to operate the Boeing 737 on the route. Its first flight this Easter weekend was operated by the airline's 21-year-old 737, registration N3759.

A quick hop south

Delta will operate the route twice daily to Havana with a brief flight time of just under an hour, following the below schedule:

Outbound Miami to Havana:

• DL1787 will depart Miami International Airport (MIA) at 09:07, arriving at José Martí International Airport, Havana (HAV) at 10:20
• DL1789 will depart Miami International Airport (MIA) at 13:55, arriving at José Martí International Airport, Havana (HAV) at 15:15

Inbound Havana to Miami:

• DL1788 will depart José Martí International Airport, Havana (HAV) at 11:55, arriving at Miami International Airport (MIA) at 13:04
• DL1790 will depart José Martí International Airport, Havana (HAV) at 16:30, arriving at Miami International Airport (MIA) at 17:40

Fierce competition from Southern states

The return of Delta's operations to Havana will have fierce competition from other US carriers operating in Havana:

• American Airlines to Miami
• Havana Air (Charters to Miami and Tampa)
• JetBlue to Fort Lauderdale and New York-JFK
• Southwest Airlines to Fort Lauderdale and Tampa
• United Airlines to Houston-Intercontinental and Newark

Delta's operations in Miami

With Miami International Airport (MIA) having a stronghold by another US carrier American Airlines, it's no surprise that Delta maintains a modest operation from the Floridian airport. Currently, the airline operates services to and from the below airports:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• José Martí International Airport, Havana (HAV)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) - commencing October 9th this year

Other movements in Havana

Havana's list of international services remains robust, with Cubana de Aviacion planning to commence operations in Barcelona on June 29th. Aerolineas Argentinas, however, will axe its fifth freedom route between José Martí International Airport, Havana, and Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic from July 5th.