Wheels Up Takes Off to Havana; U.S. Private Aviation Company Offering Service to and from Cuba

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Nov 22, 2016, 03:43 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Justin Firestone, Founding Partner of Wheels Up, announced that the private aviation company now offers flights to and from Havana, Cuba on its signature fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350i and Citation Excel/XLS aircraft. In conjunction with this offering, Wheels Up has also launched an on-the-ground booking assistance program in Cuba for its 3,500+ members.

"We're excited to be part of history as among the first of the American private aviation companies to make flights available to and from Havana," said Firestone. "Wheels Up has arranged more than 150 flights between the U.S. and Cuba and are now averaging more than any other major U.S. private aviation provider."

"These flights are perfect for our King Air 350i, considered the workhorse of private aviation. Our fleet is well suited for this new endeavor," Firestone added.

Wheels Up has a fleet exclusive with Textron for the comfortable and cost-effective King Air 350i, building on its expertise in shorter missions, and giving Wheels Up the ability to reach more runways. All Wheels Up aircraft offer in-flight amenities like Wi-Fi and GOGO Talk & Text.

In 2015, the same year Wheels Up had its inaugural flight to Cuba, Wheels Up became a founding member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S.-Cuba Business Council and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Now, Wheels Up Members can fly to Cuba through any of the 18 Customs and Border Protection designated U.S. airports.

To obtain a visa to fly to Cuba, passengers must qualify for one of the 12 approved categories required to visit Cuba under the U.S. General License. To help Wheels Up Members secure the necessary visas, provide itineraries and obtain logistical coordination for U.S. residents traveling to Cuba, Wheels Up as a full-service organization has partnered with Engage Cuba Travel and Services, and Cuba Educational Travel.

About Wheels Up
Wheels Up is a revolutionary membership-based private aviation company that significantly reduces the upfront costs to fly privately, while providing unparalleled flexibility, service and safety. Created and led by renowned entrepreneur Kenny Dichter, Wheels Up offers guaranteed availability to its private fleet of new Beechcraft King Air 350i and Citation Excel/XLS aircraft to individual, family and corporate members. With the cutting-edge Wheels Up mobile app, members can seamlessly book flights, manage their accounts, participate in ride-share opportunities and select Hot Flights, a vast selection of one-way "empty leg" flights that are posted daily to the app and updated in real time. Members also have access to Wheels Down, a program featuring exclusive events and experiences, unique partner benefits and a full-service luxury concierge.

Wheels Up acts as agent for the Wheels Up members, and is not the operator of the program aircraft; FAA licensed and DOT registered air carriers participating in the program exercise full operational control of the program aircraft. Any aircraft owned or leased by Wheels Up are dry leased to the operating air carrier to facilitate operations by that carrier.

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Disclaimer
Travel is limited by the U.S. government to Cuba and all Wheels Up passengers traveling to and from Cuba are responsible for securing their own permissions with the U.S. Government. Due to the restrictions surrounding U.S. citizen travel to Cuba, Wheels Up flights to and from Cuba must operate through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated U.S. airports.