As the airline partner of the 2016 U.S. Cultural Mission to Cuba, American flew the charter flights to and from Havana last week, transporting the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities' (PCAH) delegation. The group included American's Fern Fernandez, VP - Global Marketing, and Donna Estacio, regional director - Government Affairs, LAX, as well as musicians Usher, Smokey Robinson, Dave Matthews, actors Kal Penn and Alfre Woodard and violinist Joshua Bell. In a series of events and official meetings, delegates interacted with local artists and students in an effort to increase cultural awareness and cooperation between the U.S and Cuba.

'It's great to participate in something like this where you see two countries are doing their best to have a better relationship. It's great to be involved in it in a small way,' said Pilot Pete Byron. 'American has been flying to Cuba for the last 25 years, and our commitment to the Caribbean and to Cuba is one that we long cherish. As part of the official delegation, we brought a cross section of artists, screenwriters and business people to engage with their Cuban counterparts although separated by only 90 miles this was the first time this type of exchange has happened in over 60 years and we're proud to have been part of this historic trip,' said Fernandez.

During the four-day trip, the delegation met and performed with students and artists at El Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA), Cuba's national art school; Cuba's Museum of Fine Arts; the Cuban Institute of Music and the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry. The group also took some time to tour Havana and visited Ernest Hemingway's house, Finca Vigía; El Capitolio Nacional (Capitol Building); Fusterlandia arts complex; the Grand Theater of Havana and also walked around Old Havana.

'As the plane was landing in Cuba, you could feel the excitement in the air. We all sang together Smokey Robinson's song 'Cruisin'' and Cuba's most popular folk song 'Guantanamera.' It was an experience that I'll never forget,' said Fernandez.

American Airlines Group Inc. issued this content on 29 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 29 April 2016 22:36:28 UTC

Original Document: http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/american-flies-presidential-committee-on-cultural-mission-trip-to-cuba