Fly from the Big Apple to Cuba

QUESTION: During a trip to America, we would like to visit Cuba. Are there any flights from US cities and, if so, which would be the easiest route from New York? - Dan Bree

ANSWER: Surprisingly, there are direct flights from the United States to Cuba. Most depart from Miami (Gulfstream International Airlines), although TACA operates flights from JFK in New York. However, due to restrictions in the USA, these are not registered as a scheduled service and are designated as charter flights. This means that seats are sold to agencies which then sell them on to passengers. The most popular indirect routes are via Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas. From New York, one would fly via Miami and Nassau in the Bahamas. An alternative route from the Big Apple would be via Mexico City or Cancun.