United Announces New Nonstop Flights from Houston and Washington, D.C. to Cartagena

Rhea-AI Summary

United (UAL) will launch new year-round nonstop flights from Houston (IAH) and Washington Dulles (IAD) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) starting December 17, subject to government approval.

United will initially operate four weekly Boeing 737 flights from each hub, adding Cartagena as its third Colombian destination and connecting it to over 70 U.S. cities.

Positive

• New year-round nonstop routes from Houston and Dulles to Cartagena
• Four weekly Boeing 737 flights from each hub starting December 17
• Cartagena becomes United's third Colombian destination after Bogota and Medellín
• Connectivity from Cartagena to over 70 destinations across the U.S.

Negative

• New Cartagena routes remain subject to government approval
• Published schedules for Cartagena flights are subject to change

News Market Reaction – UAL

-0.68%

-0.68% Session close to close

In the Jun 29 session, UAL declined 0.68%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement adds new year-round Cartagena service from two major hubs, leveraging more than 30...

Analysis

This announcement adds new year-round Cartagena service from two major hubs, leveraging more than 30 years in Colombia. Investors may watch load factors and yields on the 4x weekly flights alongside ongoing insider net selling and generally low short interest.

Key Figures

Service start date: December 17, 2026 Weekly frequency: 4 flights per week Years in Colombia: 30+ years +3 more

6 metrics

Service start date December 17, 2026 Launch of new Houston and Washington D.C. to Cartagena routes

Weekly frequency 4 flights per week Initial winter season schedule from both Houston and Washington D.C. hubs

Years in Colombia 30+ years United’s history of serving the Colombian market

Houston Latin America destinations 57 destinations Nonstop flights to Latin America from Houston hub

Dulles Latin America destinations 18 destinations Nonstop flights to Latin America from Washington Dulles hub

Connected U.S. destinations 70+ destinations U.S. cities connected to Cartagena via Houston and Washington hubs

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jun 25 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jun 25	Earnings call notice	Neutral	+3.1%	Announcement of webcast details for upcoming Q2 2026 financial results call.
Jun 23	Product partnership	Positive	+2.4%	DIRECTV partnership to stream free live TV on Starlink-enabled seatback screens.
Jun 22	Technology rollout	Positive	+0.3%	Acceleration of free Starlink Wi‑Fi rollout, including first widebody transatlantic flight.
Jun 15	Branding/program update	Positive	+3.9%	Launch of “Stars and Stripes” livery and update on United Military Pilot Program.
Jun 10	Product refresh	Positive	-6.3%	Introduction of 30 new chef‑curated Polaris business class menu items from global chefs.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent UAL news over the last month has more often coincided with positive price reactions than with negative ones.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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United will be the first U.S. airline to offer nonstop flights from Houston (IAH) and Washington Dulles (IAD) to Cartagena when flights start on December 17

Flights will operate year-round from both hubs, starting with four flights per week

United currently offers service to Bogota and Medellín, Colombia and served the country for more than 30 years

CHICAGO, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced it will launch new nonstop service from Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) starting December 17.* These new flights will operate year-round from both hubs, starting with four flights per week during the winter season. United will fly a Boeing 737 on this route, and customers on board can enjoy seatback screens at every seat with Bluetooth connectivity, larger overhead bins with room for everyone's roll aboard bag and soon free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members. Lonely Planet named Cartagena as a 2026 Best in Travel destination, noting its well-preserved Spanish architecture, vibrant culinary scene and rich history. Flights are available for sale on United.com and the United app.

"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," said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Global Alliances, United Airlines. "As our third destination in Colombia, complementing our service to Bogota and Medellín, Cartagena gives our customers access to a different side of the country while making it easier for travelers across North America to experience one of the Caribbean's most iconic destinations."

"The architectural beauty, vibrant culture and thriving culinary scene are just a few reasons why travel experts say Cartagena should be on people's bucket list this year," said David Kinzelman, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at United Airlines. "By flying direct, we'll give our customers even more time to see the sights and along the way, they'll enjoy all the value we pack into each flight - seatback screens, Bluetooth connections, larger overhead bins and a suite of tools to make the journey easier in the United app."

United offers more flights to Latin America than any other airline in both Texas and the Washington, D.C. area, offering nonstop flights to 57 destinations from its hub in Houston and 18 from Dulles. The new routes will connect Cartagena to more than 70 destinations across the U.S. from United's hubs in Houston and Washington, D.C.   

Schedule Details

IAD – CTG
Route	Start Date/Frequency	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
IAD – CTG	Dec 17, 4x weekly service on Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun	8:20	13:10	Boeing 737
CTG – IAD	Dec 17, 4x weekly service on Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun	16:00	20:40	Boeing 737

IAH – CTG
Route	Start Date/Frequency	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
IAH – CTG	Dec 17, 4x weekly service on Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun	9:35	14:50	Boeing 737
CTG – IAH	Dec 17, 4x weekly service on Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun	14:20	17:45	Boeing 737
Schedule is subject to change.
* Subject to government approval

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers, and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-announces-new-nonstop-flights-from-houston-and-washington-dc-to-cartagena-302813361.html

SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

When will United (UAL) start nonstop flights from Houston and Washington Dulles to Cartagena?

United plans to start nonstop flights from Houston (IAH) and Washington Dulles (IAD) to Cartagena (CTG) on December 17. According to United, the service will operate year-round, initially with four weekly flights from each hub.

How often will United (UAL) fly from Houston and Washington Dulles to Cartagena?

United intends to operate four weekly flights from both Houston and Washington Dulles to Cartagena. According to United, flights will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, providing consistent year-round connectivity between these hubs and Cartagena.

What aircraft will United (UAL) use on the new Cartagena routes from Houston and Dulles?

United plans to use the Boeing 737 on its new Cartagena routes from Houston and Washington Dulles. According to United, these aircraft will feature seatback screens, Bluetooth connectivity, larger overhead bins and, soon, free Starlink Wi‑Fi for MileagePlus members.

Do United's new Cartagena flights from Houston and Washington Dulles require government approval?

Yes, the new United flights to Cartagena from Houston and Washington Dulles are subject to government approval. According to United, schedules are also subject to change, so travelers should verify final timings before booking or departure.

How will United's new Cartagena routes (UAL) improve connections for U.S. travelers?

United expects the new Cartagena routes to connect travelers to over 70 U.S. destinations via Houston and Washington Dulles. According to United, this network will make it easier for customers across North America to reach Cartagena’s historic architecture, culture and culinary scene.

From which hubs does United (UAL) offer the most Latin America flights including Cartagena?

United highlights Houston and the Washington, D.C. area as key hubs for Latin America service, now including Cartagena. According to United, it offers more Latin America flights than any other airline from Texas and the Washington, D.C. region.