United Airlines will introduce three new international destinations from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport this winter, starting service to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico, later in October 2026. Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, will become United’s only nonstop international connection for the city. Additionally, United will begin flights from Houston to Cartagena, Colombia, in December 2026, a route announced earlier in June 2026. Service to Caracas, Venezuela, will launch in January 2027, marking a return after a multi-year pause.
Delay of Houston-Caracas Route Due to Earthquake Damage
The initial plan was to start Houston-Caracas flights in August 2026, but this was postponed after two major earthquakes damaged Simón Bolívar International
Airport, the main gateway in Caracas. The airport’s compromised condition forced United to delay the route’s debut to early 2027.
New Facilities at Houston Bush Support Expanded Service
The expansion of United’s routes coincides with the opening of the airline’s new Terminal B North Concourse at Houston Bush. The concourse spans 765,000 square feet and contains 22 gates. It also features a 54,000-square-foot United Club lounge, which is the largest airline lounge in the Americas. This facility upgrade enhances United’s operational capacity at Houston Bush.
United is also planning to resume flights between Houston and Chihuahua, Mexico, in spring 2027, though no official announcement or fixed start date
has been provided for that service.
