The first regular commercial flight in more than 50 years from the US to Cuba departed Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday -- the latest step in the post-Cold War thaw between the two nations.

JetBlue Flight 386 took off from the airport in southeastern Florida shortly after 10:00 am (1400 GMT) with 150 passengers on board. 

After less than an hour in the air, it was expected to land in central Cuba's Santa Clara, 175 miles (280 kilometers) east of Havana.