Show menu
Notice Our team will be traveling in Europe from September 5 to 20. We will post river levels and news as we can, but some updates may be delayed. Thanks for bearing with us.

United pauses Houston to Havana, Southwest trims Tampa to Havana

United 737 MAX 9 sits at a Houston gate as Houston to Havana flights pause, with clear skies and ramp gear visible.
by
5 min read

United has suspended Houston to Havana flights effective September 2, 2025, and signaled the route will remain dormant through the Winter 2025-26 season. Southwest will cut Tampa to Havana from twice daily to once daily starting September 4, 2025, through March 4, 2026. Travelers still have robust options via Miami and limited options via Fort Lauderdale, but U.S. visitors must ensure their Cuba trip fits one of the authorized entry categories.

Key Points

  • Why it matters: Houston loses its nonstop to Havana, and Tampa capacity drops by 50 percent.
  • Travel impact: Expect more connections via Miami and tighter seats on Tampa to Havana.
  • What's next: United targets a summer 2026 return, pending demand and DOT approvals.
  • DOT filings confirm Southwest's once-daily Tampa service and refund or reaccommodation options.
  • U.S. travelers must self-certify under an OFAC general license, tourism remains prohibited.

Snapshot

United's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to José Martí International Airport (HAV) service ended after the last flight on September 1, 2025. In a filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation, United says the suspension will cover the remainder of Summer 2025 and all of Winter 2025-26, with a planned resume by Summer 2026. Southwest Airlines will consolidate Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Havana from 14 to 7 weekly frequencies from September 4, 2025, through March 4, 2026, and will reaccommodate affected passengers or offer refunds. The fastest alternatives are via Miami International Airport (MIA), with American and Delta operating multiple daily nonstops to Havana. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) options are limited, so many travelers route over to Miami.

Background

United holds seven weekly IAH-HAV frequencies, initially awarded in 2016 and 2018. In December 2024, the DOT granted United seasonal flexibility on those frequencies due to pronounced shoulder-season demand dips, which United has now exercised to suspend service until summer. Southwest requested a temporary dormancy waiver for seven of its 14 weekly Tampa-Havana frequencies, citing seasonal demand and market conditions. We previously mapped practical workarounds in United Drops Houston-Havana Nonstop: What Travelers Can Do. Separately, OFAC continues to prohibit pure tourism; U.S. travelers must qualify under one of the general-license categories and retain records of compliant activities.

Latest Developments

Best same-day alternative via Miami

American operates multiple daily Miami to Havana flights, and Delta also serves the route, typically two daily, giving you schedule depth and quick 1 hour 15 minute flight times. From Houston, connect IAH-MIA on United or American, then MIA-HAV on American or Delta. From Tampa, you can drive or shuttle to MIA to tap the larger seat pool, a helpful hedge during hurricanes or irregular operations.

Fort Lauderdale playbook

Scheduled nonstop options from Fort Lauderdale to Havana are presently limited. Most travelers reposition to Miami for nonstop service, or use licensed charter providers that periodically operate in South Florida. If you must use FLL, plan extra ground time to transfer to MIA, and avoid tight international connection windows.

What Southwest's cut means in Tampa

From September 4, 2025, Southwest trims TPA-HAV to once daily through March 4, 2026. Impacted customers will be reaccommodated on the remaining daily flight or can request a refund. Expect peak-time seats to be tighter and prices to be firmer on weekends and holidays.

Analysis

United's pause underscores how sensitive U.S.-Cuba flying remains to seasonality, policy, and diaspora demand patterns. Texas lacks the Cuban-American base that sustains dense Miami schedules, so winter performance risks are higher for a stand-alone Houston to Havana nonstop. By shelving the route under seasonal flexibility, United preserves its authority while avoiding prolonged low-load flying. In Florida, Southwest's once-daily Tampa to Havana keeps a foothold while acknowledging winter demand realities and the operational value of frequency flexibility. For travelers, Miami remains the pressure-release valve thanks to multiple daily nonstops and short stage length that supports lower unit costs and more backup flights when disruptions hit. Fort Lauderdale's limited scheduled options make ground transfers to MIA the most reliable bet. Across all scenarios, compliance matters: OFAC categories and record-keeping obligations are not formalities, and lodging restrictions tied to the Cuba Restricted List still apply.

Final Thoughts

United's suspension and Southwest's cut will shift more Cuba-bound traffic into Miami this winter. If you are coming from Houston or Tampa, build in buffer time, favor MIA for schedule depth, and lock in refundable rates during storm season. Most importantly, select and document your OFAC category before you book. With smart routing via Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you can still reach Havana smoothly while staying within the rules, even as Houston to Havana flights pause.

Sources

Topics