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Direct flights from LAX to Havana take off
In this file photo, an Alaska Airlines jet passes the air traffic control tower at Los Angles International Airport (LAX) during take-off on April 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. On Thursday, Alaska Airlines Flight 3752 flew directly from LAX to Havana — the first regularly scheduled U.S. commercial flight from Los Angeles to Cuba in years.
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For the first time in decades, passengers can board a regularly scheduled U.S. commercial flight between Los Angeles and Havana, Cuba.
Alaskan Airlines Flight 3752 departed from Los Angeles International Airport at 8:50 a.m. PST Thursday and landed at José Martí International Airport in Havana at 4:55 p.m. EST. It was the first regularly scheduled U.S. commercial flight from Los Angeles to Havana in years.
The airline began pursuing the idea of offering the new route after the federal government began normalizing relations with Cuba, said company spokesperson Ann Zaninovich.
"Air service really has the power to break down walls and build bridges, and we really hope these flights really have the kind of impact to bring together both the American and the Cuban people," Zaninovich said.
The plane carried a total of 180 passengers on the inaugural daily flight. The list included 50 political, business and cultural leaders from the states of California and Washington.
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