Inaugural flight from LAX heads to Havana, Cuba

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The inaugural flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Havana, Cuba took off Saturday afternoon.

The American Airlines flight headed to Cuba after a ceremony attended by city, airline and airport officials. The airline also offered chocolate Cuban cigars on the flight.

It is the first West Coast link between the cities in light of improved U.S. and Cuban political relations.

The charter flights will be sold by Cuba Travel Services and operate on Saturdays with a Boeing 737. The airline will also offer Saturday flights between Miami and Havana.

American has offered charter flights to Cuba since the 1990s, but only from the East Coast. This year, the airline expects about 1,200 flights to the country.

City News Service contributed to this report.