United Airlines plans to suspend its only commercial route to Cuba in September

United Airlines announced its intention to temporarily suspend its only regular nonstop service to Cuba starting September 2, amid a sustained decline in demand, seasonal fluctuations, and an increasingly restrictive political context for travel between the United States and the Island.

The airline notified the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that it will suspend its operations between George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and José Martí International Airport in Havana.

Currently, United operates that route daily using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

It is also the only American airline that connects Cuba with a destination outside the state of Florida.

According to Aviation Week, the company explained that it will invoke the seasonal flexibility granted by the DOT to suspend the route until the end of winter 2025-2026, and has requested a formal waiver to preserve its right to resume service no later than the start of summer 2026.

The company warned that passenger traffic on this route is "highly seasonal," with significant drops outside of peak periods that render daily operations financially unsustainable.

The suspension also occurs in a context of increasing tension in the immigration and travel policies between both countries.

In June, President Donald Trump imposed new visa restrictions for Cuban citizens, citing national security concerns.

The presidential proclamation partially prohibits the entry of Cubans under the most common visa categories (B-1, B-2, F, M, and J) and instructs consular officials to limit the validity of any other non-immigrant visa to the extent permitted by law.

The tightening of these immigration policies, combined with the fact that tourism remains formally prohibited for U.S. citizens, has resulted in a significant decrease in the demand for airplane tickets to the Island.

Although travel is still permitted under 12 approved categories—such as family visits, educational activities, or humanitarian work—the regulatory environment has created a climate of uncertainty for airlines.

OAG Schedules Analyser data reveals that American Airlines currently leads the market with 83 weekly flights to six Cuban cities from Miami, representing 68.4% of traffic between the United States and Cuba.

Following them are Southwest and Delta, with 12.8% and 11.8% respectively, while United accounted for only 7%, with its sole flight to Havana from Houston.

Despite this suspension, United will maintain a weekly charter operation between Jacksonville and the Guantanamo Bay military base using Boeing 737-9 aircraft, according to OAG data.

However, its exit from scheduled commercial service to Cuba marks a new chapter in the reduction of routes from the United States to the Island.

This scenario has had precedents.

In 2023, the airline reduced its operations due to low demand.

In early June of this year, American Airlines also requested to temporarily suspend its direct flight between Miami and Santiago de Cuba -a route that began in 2019- due to the "ongoing challenges in demand recovery."

If the request is approved, Santiago de Cuba would be left without a direct connection to the United States through this airline.

According to the analysis company Cirium, so far this year more than 12,800 flights have been scheduled between Cuba and the United States, with over two million available seats, particularly during the peaks in March and December.

However, the current conditions, characterized by restrictive policies and falling demand, could drastically alter this landscape in the coming months.

With the Houston-Havana route possibly suspended and increasing pressure on other connections, the viability of flights between the United States and Cuba appears increasingly uncertain.

For many Cubans—both on the island and abroad—these decisions not only disrupt travel plans but also directly impact their chances of family reunification and their mobility expectations in an already complex context.

Unusual events also occur in this context.

In February, a flight between Cuba and the United States operated with only six passengers on board, a fact that was widely discussed on social media.

Although the aircraft was practically empty, testimonies indicated that the hold was packed with luggage and packages managed by private agencies.

Many users claim that these operations function more like cargo flights, due to the shipment of goods through agencies that purchase tickets solely for the luggage.

"Six people, 200 suitcases," commented one user. "The agencies buy the tickets to send the luggage," wrote another.

Some travelers report that, although the planes are almost empty, they have been denied boarding due to alleged lack of space.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Suspension of United Airlines Flights to Cuba and Immigration Policies