Now boarding: New York City’s first regular flight to Havana since 1961.
JetBlue started round-trip service from JFK Airport to Cuba on Friday — the first major airline to offer a weekly connection from the city since JFK, the president, restricted travel to the Caribbean island more than 50 years ago.
“I have butterflies in my stomach,” said Lazaro Iglesias, 44, of Kearny, NJ, who was returning to Cuba for the first time since he immigrated to the US in 2002.
His luggage trolley was piled 5-feet high with boxes full of clothing and electronics, presents for his family that are unavailable in Havana.
The airline announced it would offer flights from New York to Havana every Friday in response to eased travel restrictions.
“Years ago this was a dream,” Iglesias beamed.
Still, the jet was less than half full, with only around 60 passengers on the 150-seat Airbus 320.
That’s because travel requirements — which limit trips to purposes such as business, education, government or aid work or family visitation — continue to impede easy passage.
“I’m going to see Mommy’s home!” shouted American-born 6-year-old Richard Ramos. It was the first time his mother, Amylis Bons, 32, of Elizabeth, NJ, was traveling back to Cuba since leaving in 2007.
“I’m going to give my parents a big hug,” Bons said. “I never thought I would see them again.”
‘Now I don’t have to hide’
Carlos Infante, 52, Brooklyn
Building manager
This time, his trip is legal and he couldn’t be happier. Friday’s direct flight from JFK was the first time he visited his family in Cuba without having to dodge US travel restrictions by going through Canada, Infante said.
“I’m making history . . . Now I don’t have to hide or anything,” said Infante, who immigrated to the United States in 1993. “My wife told me, ‘Honey, now you can go every six months. You can go whenever you want.’ ”
‘A lot of love’
Athena Castillo, 25, Harlem
Artist
“My grandfather passed away before being able to go back to his own country, so it’s really nice for me to do that and help while I am there,” said Castillo, who founded the Artists Making Changes Foundation, based in Cuba.
She travels there twice a month for work and recommends everyone go at least once in their life: “It’s just a beautiful place where there’s a lot of love, a lot of culture.”
‘Going to be tears’
Lazaro Molinet, 43, Newark
Shipping clerk
Growing up in Cuba, Molinet dreamed of one day owning an American car. When he moved to the US through the immigration lottery seven years ago, he bought a used 2001 Chevy.
“I’m so emotional. It’s only something a Cuban can feel,” Molinet said. “I am sure there are going to be tears stepping on the plane and there will be more tears stepping off.”