Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: Tomasz Podolski / Shutterstock United Airlines announced today (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) that it will resume direct flights between Houston and Caracas starting August 11, 2026, subject to regulatory approval. This is the first resumption of the route since the company ceased operations in Venezuela in June 2017.
Flights will operate daily between George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Simón Bolívar Airport in Caracas using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The company noted that the renewal of the line is expected to strengthen economic ties between the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, along with creating new business opportunities and making it easier for families seeking to reunite after years without direct flights.
According to United, its Houston hub currently operates up to 100 flights per day to more than 50 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, with connections to more than 180 destinations worldwide.
The company also announced that later this year, it will open a new terminal in Houston with an investment of approximately $2 billion, which will include 22 new boarding gates and the company's largest United Club lounge.
Passengers on United Airlines' new line will enjoy personal entertainment screens in every seat, Bluetooth connectivity, viewing and audio options from various streaming services , and Starlink internet infrastructure to be added later.
Patrick Quayle, senior vice president, Global Network Planning and Alliances, United Airlines: "After nearly a decade, United welcomes the opportunity to resume service between Houston and Venezuela thanks to the leadership and support of the Department of Transportation and the U.S. government. This flight will help strengthen cultural and economic ties across the Americas and further reinforces United's Houston hub as a leading gateway to the region."
Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation: "United's first flight to Venezuela in eight years marks another exciting development in the relationship between our two countries, This specific flight will be critical to ferrying oil sector workers into the country as the U.S. and Venezuela work together to expand production and generate new economic opportunities."
Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: Tomasz Podolski / ShutterstockThe gradual return of international airlines to Venezuela continues after years of reduced activity in the country.
This month, American Airlines brought back the Miami-Caracas route after seven years. The route is operated by Embraer 175 aircraft in a two-class configuration and initially will be one daily flight, but starting May 21st, an additional daily flight will be added to the intriguing route.
At the same time, the aviation giant Qatar Airways also announced that it will launch flights to Caracas in the summer of 2026, becoming the first Gulf airline to operate a route to Venezuela.