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The air connection between the United States and Cuba will see a significant reduction starting in September, driven by a drop in demand following the end of the summer season and the resumption of school activities.
According to figures from the specialized publication Aviacionline, compared to August 2025, the air service will see a 20% decrease, resulting in 91 weekly flights and a total capacity of 13,965 seats between the two countries.
The decline is also reflected in the year-on-year analysis, which shows a reduction of 21% in the number of flights and a 16.1% decrease in seat availability between September 2024 and September 2025.
Currently, only three American companies maintain operations to the Island, all based in Florida.
The first is American Airlines, with 70 weekly flights and 10,500 seats, which represents 77% of the frequencies and 75% of the market capacity.
Delta Air Lines operates with 14 flights and 2,240 seats.
On its part, Southwest Airlines, with seven flights and 1,225 seats, primarily operates between Tampa and Havana.
The itineraries focus on routes from Miami and Tampa, with American Airlines serving destinations such as Havana, Camagüey, Holguín, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero. Delta operates flights to Havana from Miami, while Southwest exclusively runs the Tampa-Havana route.
The collapse in demand has already resulted in adjustments in the sector.
United Airlines announced the suspension of its route between Houston and Havana starting September 1st, while Southwest Airlines will reduce one daily flight on its Tampa-Havana connection starting September 4th.
For its part, American Airlines requested a temporary inactivity waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the winter season, which would involve suspending several flights from Miami to Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Santa Clara until March 2026.
Analysts point to two main causes for this decline: immigration restrictions that limit travel for U.S. citizens to the 12 authorized categories, including family visits; and a growing preference for alternative destinations, such as the Dominican Republic, where many Cuban Americans choose to meet with their relatives, avoiding the costs and limitations of direct travel to Cuba.
The reduction solidifies a downward trend in air connectivity between Cuba and the United States, which appears to be deepening as fall and winter approach.
The regime admitted in July that tourism experienced a significant drop in visitors in June, particularly from Russian tourists.
Until June, Cuba welcomed 1,306,650 travelers, which is 319,654 fewer than in the same period in 2024, according to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
Similarly, 981,856 international visitors arrived, 327,799 fewer than in 2024, resulting in a 25% drop in the total number of visitors to Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Reduction of Flights between the U.S. and Cuba
Why have flights between the United States and Cuba decreased in September 2025?
The decrease in flights is primarily due to the drop in demand, influenced by the end of the summer season and the resumption of school activities. Additionally, immigration restrictions and the preference for alternative destinations such as the Dominican Republic have also impacted the demand for travel to Cuba.
What airlines are still operating flights between the U.S. and Cuba?
Currently, only three U.S. airlines operate flights to Cuba: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, all based in Florida. American Airlines is the airline with the most weekly flights, followed by Delta and Southwest, although these have reduced their frequencies due to low demand.
How do immigration restrictions affect flights between the U.S. and Cuba?
The immigration restrictions imposed by the government of Donald Trump have limited the categories of Cuban citizens who can enter the U.S., which has significantly reduced the demand for flights. This has led airlines to reduce or suspend routes due to the lack of economic viability.
What impact does the reduction of flights have on Cuban families?
The reduction of flights between the U.S. and Cuba directly affects Cuban families who rely on these connections for family reunifications and humanitarian travel. The suspension of routes and the reduction of frequencies add uncertainty and complicate family gatherings.
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