United Airlines launches first flight to Cuba from Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- United Airlines announced that they will have an inaugural service from Houston to Havana, Cuba around 10am from Bush Airport.

Houston's Mayor Sylvester Turner and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee are there to kick off the United Flight.

The flight marks a milestone.

For the first time in more than 50 years people are now flying commercially to Cuba.

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Ten U.S.-based airlines have been approved to schedule services to Cuba including: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and United.

You still cannot travel to Cuba as a tourist which means no special beach vacations.

In order to go, you must verify that you meet one of the twelve pre-approved categories allowed by the U.S. government.

The approved list includes: family visits and research, journalistic, religious and educational activities.

The most common form of travel is people-to-people. This is basically a term for a cultural experience to learn about the Cuban community.

United will be the only airline offering nonstop service from IAH and will fly out every Saturday.