Cubana Airlines History: Cuba's Airline Since 1929 – Airline Employee Shop

Cubana Airlines History

Cubana de Aviación started in 1929 as a Curtiss venture in Havana, spent its early years under Pan Am, opened the first transatlantic link from Cuba, and became the state airline after the 1959 revolution. Here's a short history of Cubana, plus the Cubana collection that celebrates it.

Curtiss and Pan Am (1929–1944)

Cubana was founded in Havana on October 8, 1929, by the Curtiss aviation group, which put its name in the company title. Service began in 1930. In 1932 Pan American bought the airline and the Curtiss name was dropped.

A Cuban airline goes international (1944–1958)

Cuban investors took majority control in the mid-1940s, and Pan Am sold the last of its shares in the early 1950s. In April 1945 Havana hosted the meeting that founded IATA, and Cubana was a founding member. Scheduled Havana to Miami flights began on May 15, 1945, with Douglas DC-3s. On April 26, 1948, a DC-4 opened Havana to Madrid, Cubana's first regular transatlantic route. Lockheed Super Constellations and then Bristol Britannia turboprops followed in the 1950s.

Revolution and the Soviet era (1959–1990)

The revolutionary government nationalised Cuban airlines in May 1959, and in February 1960 they were merged into a single state company. Flights to Miami and New York ended in late 1960, and the U.S. embargo took full effect in February 1962. Cubana turned east, opening a route to Prague in 1961 and flying Soviet types such as the Ilyushin Il-18 and, later, the long-range Il-62.

Cubana today

Cubana remains Cuba's state-owned flag carrier. In late 2005 it received its first Ilyushin Il-96-300 widebody, which has flown its long-haul routes to Europe, including Madrid and Paris. Through decades of embargo and fuel shortages, the name has carried on for nearly a century.

A few things collectors love

  • Cubana was a founding member of IATA, which was formed at a 1945 meeting in Havana.
  • Its 1948 Havana to Madrid DC-4 service tied Cuba directly to Spain by air.
  • Few airlines have flown such a mix: Curtiss and Ford Tri-Motor pioneers, American piston liners, British Britannias and Soviet Ilyushins.

Shop Cubana

Browse Cubana logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Cubana collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for anyone with a soft spot for classic Caribbean aviation.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest.