United Airlines announced on July 28, 2026, the launch of new year-round nonstop flights to Cartagena, Colombia, starting December 17, 2026. The new routes operate from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), providing United’s first nonstop service to Cartagena from both hubs.
Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details
Both Houston-Cartagena and Washington Dulles-Cartagena flights will run four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the winter season. United will use Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with seatback entertainment systems and Bluetooth connectivity for these services.
The Houston flight departs IAH at 9:35 a.m., arriving in Cartagena at 2:50 p.m.,
with the return leaving Cartagena at 2:20 p.m. to reach Houston at 5:45 p.m. The Washington Dulles flight departs at 8:20 a.m. and arrives in Cartagena at 1:10 p.m., returning from Cartagena at 4 p.m. and arriving in Washington Dulles at 8:40 p.m.
Cartagena’s Growing Appeal
Cartagena, a historic Colombian Caribbean city, is among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the Caribbean. It offers colonial architecture, boutique hotels such as Casa San Agustín, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa, Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena, Hotel Quadrifolio, and Casa Pestagua. The city features renowned restaurants including Celele, Carmen Cartagena, La Cevichería, and Mar
y Zielo.
Nearby attractions include the Rosario Islands, known for coral reefs and private villas, accessible via morning boat departures from Cartagena. The Barú Peninsula, with beachfront areas like Playa Blanca and resorts such as Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort and Hotel Las Islas, complements Cartagena’s tourism offerings.
Expanded Connectivity through United’s Hubs
These new nonstop routes position Cartagena as United’s third Colombian destination alongside Bogotá and Medellín. They provide one-stop connections from more than 70 U.S. cities across the Northeast, Midwest, Mountain West, and West Coast via Houston and Washington Dulles hubs.
United operates nonstop flights from Houston to 57 Latin America and Caribbean
destinations, and from Washington Dulles to 18 destinations in the region, enhancing access to the Colombian Caribbean market.
Strategic Importance and Passenger Benefits
Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of network planning and global alliances, said, “Colombia has been an important part of United’s Latin America network for more than 30 years, and our new service to Cartagena reflects our continued investment in the country and commitment to offering customers new and distinct travel experiences.” He added that Cartagena offers “a different side of the country” and improves access to a top Caribbean destination from North America.
The Boeing 737 aircraft include Bluetooth-enabled seatback entertainment
and larger overhead bins sized for one standard roll-aboard per passenger. United plans to offer free Wi-Fi via Starlink internet to MileagePlus members aboard equipped aircraft on these routes.
The new service adds competition to the Caribbean market currently served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines on various routes to Cartagena. It reduces reliance on complicated connecting itineraries, making Cartagena more accessible.
Travelers will benefit from early arrivals in Cartagena, enabling same-day exploration of the historic old city and convenient hotel check-ins. Passengers from cities without direct flights can connect through United’s hubs with just one
stop.
