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United Airlines has suspended all flights from the United States to Havana, Cuba, citing escalating political unrest and tightened US travel restrictions on the island nation. All flights have been removed from United’s schedule as of today, September 2nd. It’s unclear if these flights will return in 2026.
The move, effective today, halts United’s only nonstop service to Cuba. Flights from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Havana’s José Martí International Airport (HAV) will likely remain suspended through the winter season with no resumption expected before summer 2026. United’s exit leaves travelers with fewer choices for reaching Havana. American Airlines continues to dominate the market with roughly 70 flights per week, but Delta and Southwest are also scaling back flights to Cuba. This was the last route that United operated to Cuba as its flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) were dropped in 2023.
The suspension highlights the enduring volatility in US-Cuba relations. US law prohibits general tourism and restricts trips to 12 authorized categories such as family visits, education, or journalism. Recent calls from lawmakers like Republican Senator Rick Scott for even tighter limitations have added pressure on carriers. The legacy of restrictions implemented under President Donald Trump’s first term (including bans on flights to Cuban airports beyond Havana) continues to shape US airlines’ operations. Current rules limit charter flights, cut off private services, and leave Havana as the only approved nonstop destination.
The United States Embassy in Havana has urged travelers to exercise caution as American credit and debit cards do not work on the island. It also advises against participation in public demonstrations. With flight availability shrinking, travelers face longer itineraries, higher costs, and greater uncertainty when planning trips. United’s suspension reflects the broader difficulties faced by US airlines in Cuba, where politics and policy are outweighing demand. While American, Delta, and Southwest still operate routes, US-Cuba air travel remains constrained, leaving prospective travelers with limited options.
Anthony’s Take: I have wanted to go to Cuba since I was a child. My grandparents talked fondly of their honeymoon in the early 1950s and how wonderful it was to visit the island nation. A lot has changed since then, but it remains on my travel bucket list.
(Image Credits: United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
2 comments
AA currently flies daily to Havana as well as other cities in Cuba from Miami.
How bad is your administration at border control that you can’t handle a single flight?