United Airlines celebrated the historic signing between the U.S. and Cuba that allows commercial flights for the first time since the 1959 revolution, per an official press release. The Chicago-based company is one of many major airlines who will submit an application to the Department of Transportation to start operating U.S.-Cuba flights.

"United intends to apply to offer service between some of its global gateways and Havana through the Department of Transportation's pending route case. Assuming service is approved, United customers will benefit from United's expanded global route network and new opportunities for leisure and business travel to Cuba," the statement said.

Civil Aviation Agreement Signed

According to the Associated Press, the civil aviation agreement between the U.S. and Cuba was signed on Tuesday, ending a 57-year embargo. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Transportation Minister of Cuba Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez signed the deal in an official ceremony at Hotel Nacional in Havana.

"Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the U.S. It represents a critically important milestone in the U.S. effort to engage with Cuba," Foxx said. The agreement includes having 20 regular commercial flights daily from the U.S. to Havana while also adding routes to other airports in the Caribbean nation.

"The adoption of this memorandum is an important step that will soon permit the establishment of regular flights between the United States and Cuba," Yzquierdo Rodriguez added.

Competition from American Airlines and JetBlue Airways

In a report by the Chicago Business Journal, American Airlines has the advantage over United and JetBlue because one of its major hubs is located at the Miami International Airport. Florida is just 90 miles from Cuba and could be a key for American to get the first commercial flights.

As for United Airlines, they have previously hinted that their hub in Houston is the primary choice to have the first flights to Cuba. However, the state of New Jersey has the second highest number of Cubans after Miami, and United has two major airport hubs near the area in Newark and Washington, D.C.

JetBlue Airways' main hub is located at JFK Airport in New York City, but also has secondary hubs in Boston and Orlando, per Centre for Aviation. Spokesman Doug McGraw told the Associated Press that they are willing to offer their services in "multiple" cities in the U.S. and Cuba.

According to VOX Media, Delta and Southwest Airlines will also submit an application to the Department of Transportation. All airline companies have a 15-day window starting on Tuesday to bid for more than 110 approved daily flights.