HAVANA — A steep drop-off in demand for Cuba vacations has prompted United Airlines to shelve its only nonstop link between Houston and Havana beginning Sept. 2, a move that will leave the island nation with even fewer air connections from the United States.
United’s Havana Route Goes Dark Until at Least Summer 2026
According to filings with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), United plans to halt the daily Houston–Havana flight for the entire winter and spring season and to restart “no later than the start of the summer 2026 season.” The carrier currently runs seven weekly rotations using Boeing 737 aircraft configured for up to 166 passengers, meaning roughly 1,162 seats each week will disappear from the market. In its waiver request to DOT, the company blamed “seasonal fluctuations in the number of passengers and low demand,” the filing stated. If regulators grant the dormancy waiver, United will keep the traffic rights it first won in 2016—rights that allow it to be the only U.S. airline serving Cuba from a mainland city other than Miami. United’s once-weekly charter from Jacksonville, Fla., to the U.S. Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay is unaffected.
The Wider Slowdown: Other Airlines Pull Back
United is not alone in retrenching. American Airlines, which operates the largest U.S. network to Cuba, asked DOT in early June 2025 for permission to shrink its schedule through the end of the current summer season. The company told regulators it wanted to cap Havana service at three departures on Mondays and Thursdays through Sundays, and at four on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—down from as many as eight daily flights. “Given these current challenges, and with the goal of more efficiently deploying scarce aircraft,” American wrote in its petition, it intends to suspend certain frequencies to Havana and Santiago de Cuba. North of the border, Avianca will end its Bogotá–Havana route after Aug. 31, citing similar demand issues.
Why Demand Is Plummeting
Multiple factors have converged to make Cuba a harder sell:
- Tighter travel rules: Both Washington and Havana have introduced stricter entry regulations, and the Trump administration’s latest visa limits—announced two days before American’s filing—further reduced eligible traveler pools.
- Pandemic aftershocks: Although borders reopened, many would-be visitors have pivoted to destinations with fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
- Economic headwinds on the island: Service shortages and rising prices have dampened Cuba’s allure for return travelers.
As of June 2025, Cuba had welcomed just 1 million foreign visitors. Only 120,423 of them were Cuban expatriates and 67,044 were U.S. citizens—down 77.6 percent and 20 percent, respectively, from the same period in 2024.
What It Means for Travelers
Fares Could Climb on Remaining Seats
With United’s 1,162 weekly seats off the board and American trimming frequencies, the supply squeeze may push prices up, especially during the high-season months of December through March. Travelers who must visit family or conduct authorized travel should book sooner rather than later.
Routing Through Miami Will Dominate
Once United withdraws, almost every scheduled U.S. flight to Havana will funnel through South Florida. Miami International Airport already handles more than 80 percent of U.S.–Cuba passenger traffic; that figure is poised to rise further. Be prepared for longer connection times and busier departure gates.
Canadian and European Alternatives
For travelers beginning in the northern United States, connecting via Toronto, Montreal or Madrid could make sense. Canadian carriers still maintain robust Cuba schedules, and Spain’s Iberia flies regular service from Madrid to Havana. However, total travel time increases, and some itineraries require overnight layovers.
Tips for Travelers
- Lock in winter flights now: Inventory is already thin for the December holidays. Early booking helps avoid fare spikes.
- Double-check license categories: U.S. regulations permit only 12 specific reasons for Cuba travel. Make sure your trip purpose aligns.
- Monitor charter options: Smaller charter operators sometimes add capacity when scheduled airlines step back, especially around Cuban cultural festivals and school vacations.
- Stay flexible: With airlines retaining the right to re-enter the market, schedules could change quickly. Opt for tickets with minimal change fees.
FAQ: United’s Cuba Suspension
When is the last Houston–Havana flight?
Sept. 1 2025, the day before service pauses.
Will tickets for dates after Sept. 2 be automatically refunded?
United says affected passengers will receive full refunds or rebooking options. Contact the airline directly once cancellation notices are issued.
Is summer 2026 a firm restart date?
No. United sought flexibility to relaunch “no later than” the opening of the summer 2026 scheduling period, leaving room for an earlier return if conditions improve.
Does this affect United’s mileage redemptions?
Yes. Award availability on partner airlines may still appear, but the carrier’s own metal will be absent until service resumes.
Looking Ahead
The DOT has not yet ruled on United’s waiver request, but approvals are routine when accompanied by a clear restart timeline. Still, United’s cold feet underscore the fragility of Cuba’s tourism recovery. Until demand rebounds and political winds shift, Havana-bound travelers should expect a patchwork of flight options and little room for last-minute spontaneity. In the meantime, checking alternate Caribbean hubs—Cancún, Nassau, Kingston—can open creative routings, albeit with additional paperwork. For those determined to sip a cafecito in Old Havana, vigilance, patience and early planning remain the traveler’s best allies. — as United wrote in its filing to the Department of Transportation.
