The first U.S. commercial flight to Cuba in more than 50 years safely landed on the island nation. JetBlue Flight 387, composed of mostly journalists, airline execs and other dignitaries took off for the roughly 45-minute jaunt from Fort Lauderdale early Wednesday morning, August 31, 2016.

Celebration Time

As Cuban music blared in the background and proud patrons looked on, the historical moment ushered in a new era of relations between the two nations.

JetBlue was the first airliner to secure a commercial flight to the island nation, but others involving American Airlines and Silver Airways are slated to follow in the coming days.

"Today is one of those days when the smile on your face can break your face - because we are finally going to Cuba," said Stacy Ritter, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors bureau, to hundreds of assembled media and JetBlue personnel. Cuban sandwiches, croquettes and even a cake in the shape of a cigar box were all part of the celebration as the160-seat flight readied for takeoff. "Cuba is ready to continue the cooperation in this and other areas," said Jose Cabañas, Cuba's Ambassador to the U.S., adding that he hopes Wednesday's historical moment will serve as a springboard in eradicating all the long-held "obstacles" between the two nations.

JetBlue is now slated to offer three day-a-week flights from Fort Lauderdale's Hollywood International Airport to Cuba, with daily service set to commence on Oct. 1. The airline will also fly daily to Camagüey starting Nov. 3 and Holguín beginning Nov. 10 from Fort Lauderdale.

Meanwhile, American Airlines is offering flights to Cuba from Miami International Airport to Cienfuegos, Holguín, Camagüey, Santa Clara and Varadero, with its inaugural flights to Cienfuegos and Holguín kicking off on Sept. 7.

White House Strategy

The move in allowing flights to and from the island nation is also seen as a huge part of the Obama administration's efforts to normalize relations between the two countries.

"Last year, President Obama announced that it was time to 'begin a new journey' with the Cuban people," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently shared. "Today, we are delivering on his promise by relaunching scheduled air service to Cuba after more than half a century."