The US airline will stop temporarily operating its only direct flight to Cuba, which runs through the Houston-La Habana-Houston route.
Miami, United States. – United Airlines will suspend from September 2, 2025 The company reported in a notification to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The airline, a member of the Star Alliance Alliance, explained in its presentation before the DOT that the trips between the intercontinental airport “George Bush”, in Houston, and the “José Martí” International Airport, in Havana, continue to be “highly seasonal”, with “significant falls during the intermediate periods” that return “financially unsustainable” maintain daily operations.
Currently, United is the only airline that flies from outside Florida to Cuba, operating a daily flight with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The company obtained authorization for this route in 2016 and received additional frequencies in 2018.
According to the official document, the airline plans to use the “seasonal flexibility” already approved by the Department of Transportation to Pausar the service until the end of winter 2025-2026. However, he also requested a formal exemption from the conditions of inactivity, “if it is considered necessary”, to preserve his right to resume the route “no later than at the beginning of the summer season of 2026”.
United’s decision coincides with the resurgence of travel restrictions to Cuba by the Trump administration. In June, the US government announced a “strictest application of the prohibition of tourist trips” and restricted visa restrictions for Cuban officials linked to “government work programs.”
Although tourism to Cuba remains prohibited for American citizens, traveling under 12 authorized categories is still allowed to travel, including family visits, educational exchanges and humanitarian work. However, United recognized that the latest regulatory changes will probably contribute to an even greater decrease in the demand for flights between the US and Cuba.
Data from OAG Schedules Analyser They indicate that American Airlines currently dominates the market between the US and Cuba, with 83 weekly flights to six destinations to the largest of the Antilles from Miami. They are followed by Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, with 14 weekly flights each from Miami and Tampa, respectively. Regarding seat capacity, American represents 68.4% of the total, while Southwest has 12.8%, Delta 11.8% and United 7%.
Despite the suspension of its regular route between Houston and Havana, United Airlines will continue to operate a weekly charter flight between Jacksonville and the American Guantanamo base, using 737-9 aircraft, according to OAG data.
