American Airlines Applies Nonstop Charlotte-Cuba Flights

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — American Airlines has applied for permission to fly nonstop from Charlotte to Havana, in a landmark move as air carriers and the U.S. government look to re-establish ties with Cuba.

Media outlets report that American Airlines applied Wednesday to fly once a day year-round from Charlotte. The carrier also applied for 10 daily flights from Havana to Miami, as well as once daily from Dallas/Fort Worth and weekly from Los Angeles and Chicago.

American Airlines’ application says the proposed Charlotte-Havana flight would take about 2 1/2 hours and cover 847 miles. It would be on an Airbus A319, seating 144 passengers.

All flights now operating between the U.S. and Cuba are charters. The Department of Transportation will review the applications from American and other charters and decide which to grant.