Florida Now Sole US Gateway for Cuba Travel After United Exit

The last direct air bridge linking Cuba to the United States outside of Florida will vanish this fall. United Airlines has confirmed it will permanently cancel its sole nonstop flight between Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Havana’s José Martí International Airport (HAV), effective September 2, 2025. This decision, revealed in official airline filings and U.S. Department of Transportation records, marks the end of nearly a decade of service and significantly narrows travel options for many Americans.

United Airlines Houston Havana flight

Houston-Havana Cut Highlights Shrinking Cuba Access

United’s Houston-Havana route was the final remaining nonstop flight connecting Cuba to any major U.S. hub beyond the state of Florida. The airline’s decision stems from persistently weak demand outside peak travel seasons, compounded by increasingly restrictive U.S. government policies governing travel to the island nation. Department of Transportation data shows a stark decline in viable passenger traffic on this corridor over recent years.

Since the route’s inception in 2016 following a brief thaw in relations, United has battled to sustain the service. However, the complex web of U.S. restrictions – permitting travel only under 12 specific categories like family visits, official government business, journalistic activity, professional research, or religious/humanitarian projects – effectively banned standard tourist travel. This, coupled with burdensome visa and paperwork requirements, steadily eroded passenger numbers to unsustainable levels. “The flights are no longer profitable,” a review of United’s operational filings indicates, forcing the carrier’s hand.

Policy Shifts Ground US-Cuba Air Links

The cancellation underscores how U.S. foreign policy directly impacts commercial air service and citizen mobility. Tightened regulations implemented over the past eight years have made spontaneous or leisure travel to Cuba virtually impossible for U.S. citizens and residents, drastically reducing the potential customer base for airlines. The market has consequently consolidated heavily around Florida, home to the largest Cuban-American population.

Analysis of the latest U.S.-Cuba air service data reveals a stark market dominance: American Airlines now controls a commanding 68.4% of all seat capacity between the two countries, operating almost exclusively out of Miami (MIA) and, to a lesser extent, Tampa (TPA). Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines hold smaller shares, also focused on Florida routes. United, struggling with just a 7% market share concentrated on the lone Houston route, found the operation untenable against this backdrop and the restrictive regulatory environment. Following the September cancellation, United’s sole remaining Cuba service will be a weekly charter flight between Jacksonville, Florida, and the U.S. Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay, reserved for official personnel and purposes.

Impact Felt Beyond Florida’s Borders

The elimination of the Houston-Havana flight carries significant consequences for travelers residing outside South Florida. Individuals in Texas, the broader Southwest, and even the Midwest relying on this direct link now face considerably longer, more complex, and expensive journeys. Reaching Havana will typically require connecting through Miami or another Florida airport, adding hours and potential overnight stays. This imposes a heavy burden on:

• Families: Visiting relatives in Cuba becomes more arduous and costly.
• Business Professionals: Those engaged in authorized trade or professional activities encounter greater logistical hurdles.
• Humanitarian Workers: Groups and individuals providing essential aid face increased travel complexity.

United Airlines’ departure from the Houston-Havana route is more than a schedule change; it’s a stark symbol of the fragile state of US-Cuba relations and the tangible consequences of restrictive policies. The window for travel and connection between the two nations, never fully open, narrows further on September 2nd, leaving a gap for many and consolidating all air access through Florida’s gates. Travelers with essential needs should confirm their plans and explore Florida-based alternatives well before the final flight takes off.

Must Know

What is happening with United Airlines flights to Cuba?
United Airlines is permanently discontinuing its only nonstop flight from Houston (IAH) to Havana (HAV), Cuba, on September 2, 2025. This was the last direct flight to Cuba from a major U.S. hub outside of Florida. After this date, United will only operate a weekly charter flight to Guantánamo Bay.

Why did United Airlines cancel the Houston to Havana route?
United cited consistently low passenger demand outside peak seasons as the primary reason. This low demand was significantly driven by strict U.S. government restrictions that prohibit tourist travel to Cuba and only allow travel under 12 specific categories (like family visits, official business, journalism, humanitarian work), making the route unprofitable. Department of Transportation data confirmed the declining viability.

Are there still flights from the US to Havana?
Yes, but significantly fewer and primarily from Florida. Major carriers like American Airlines (from Miami and Tampa), Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines continue to operate flights to Havana, but almost exclusively from cities within Florida. American Airlines holds the vast majority (over 68%) of the seat capacity.

How does this affect travelers outside Florida needing to go to Cuba?
Travelers residing in Texas, the Southwest, Midwest, or other regions outside Florida will face much more difficult and expensive travel. They will now need to connect through a Florida airport (like Miami or Tampa) to reach Havana, adding significant travel time, potential overnight stays, and higher costs, especially for those visiting family or conducting authorized business.

Can I still book the Houston-Havana flight before September?
Yes, the flight (UA 2088) is scheduled to operate until September 1, 2025. Travelers with essential travel needs under the permitted categories should book well in advance and ensure they have all required U.S. government authorizations (like a valid visa and travel affidavit under one of the 12 categories).