Cuba: First commercial flight from Miami to Havana

Travelers from Miami boarded an American Airlines flight to Havana on Monday as the carrier started commercial flights to the Cuban capital for the first time in half a century.

American Airlines staff handed travelers straw hats before they boarded the aircraft. A water cannon salute greeted the aircraft just before it took off on its milestone journey.

The flights to Havana coincided with the ongoing funeral services for Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro who died on Friday.

Improved air travel resulted from U.S. President Barack Obama’s opening toward Cuba.

The Cold War foes restored diplomatic relations a year ago following a 54-year break. However, the Communist-led island is still subject to a U.S. economic embargo that prohibits most of other forms of commerce.