United Airlines will introduce three new international routes from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport starting this winter, with service to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico launching in late October 2026. The airline will begin flights from Houston to Cartagena, Colombia, in December 2026, followed by a new Houston-Caracas, Venezuela service in January 2027.
Caracas Airport Damage Delays Flight Launch
United’s planned launch of Houston-Caracas flights, originally set for August 2026, was postponed due to two major earthquakes that caused significant damage to Caracas’ Simón Bolívar International Airport. The delay has pushed the service start into early 2027, marking United’s return to the Venezuelan market after a multi-year absence.
Terminal Expansion at Houston Bush
These
new routes coincide with the opening of United’s Terminal B North Concourse at Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport. The 765,000-square-foot facility includes 22 gates and features a 54,000-square-foot United Club lounge, the largest airline lounge in the Americas, enhancing passenger amenities and capacity.
United is also planning to restart Houston-Chihuahua, Mexico service in spring 2027. However, the airline has not publicly announced the route nor confirmed a start date.
The new international flights will offer Texas travelers additional nonstop options to the southern Mexican city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez—the only nonstop international connection there—as well as to key destinations in Colombia and
Venezuela, with upgraded airport facilities supporting the expanded schedule.
