United Airlines is adding year-round nonstop flights from Houston and Washington Dulles to Cartagena, Colombia, starting December 17, giving U.S. travelers a new winter route into one of the Caribbean coast’s most popular cultural destinations. The announcement matters beyond a single beach-and-city route: it expands U.S. hub access to Colombia at a time when Americans are still looking for warm-weather international trips, but are also paying closer attention to total trip cost, connection risk and official safety guidance.
United said the new flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Washington Dulles International Airport will operate four times weekly from each hub, subject to government approval. The airline plans to use Boeing 737 aircraft on the route, with flights available for sale through United’s website and app.
For U.S. travelers, the route gives Cartagena a broader domestic catchment area. United says the two hubs will connect Cartagena with more than 70 destinations across the United States, which is especially important for travelers who do not live in South Florida or the New York area, where Colombia service has historically been easier to piece together.
What United Is Adding
The new schedule is built for winter leisure demand, with both Houston-Cartagena and Dulles-Cartagena launching on December 17. United’s published schedule lists four weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Washington Dulles to Cartagena: Depart IAD at 8:20 a.m. and arrive at CTG at 1:10 p.m.
- Cartagena to Washington Dulles: Depart CTG at 4:00 p.m. and arrive at IAD at 8:40 p.m.
- Houston to Cartagena: Depart IAH at 9:35 a.m. and arrive at CTG at 2:50 p.m.
- Cartagena to Houston: Depart CTG at 2:20 p.m. and arrive at IAH at 5:45 p.m.
Those times make the route practical for many one-stop U.S. itineraries, but not all connections will be equal. Travelers coming from smaller U.S. cities should compare same-day connections with overnight positioning, especially during the winter holiday period when weather disruptions can ripple through hub banks. Checking the IAH live flight board, the IAD live flight board and the CTG flight board before departure will be useful once service begins.
Why Cartagena Matters for the U.S. Market
Cartagena sits in a travel category that has become increasingly important for U.S. airlines: international leisure routes that feel distinctive but can still be served with narrow-body aircraft from major hubs. The city combines beaches, colonial architecture, restaurants, nightlife, cruise access and Caribbean weather, making it attractive for couples, friend groups, culture-focused travelers and higher-end weekend escapes.
For United, Cartagena becomes its third destination in Colombia, complementing Bogota and Medellin. The route also strengthens Houston’s role as a Latin America gateway and gives the Washington region a more direct path to Colombia’s Caribbean coast. That could matter for travelers in the Mid-Atlantic who otherwise might have connected through Florida, Panama, Bogota or another U.S. hub.
The timing is also useful. A December launch puts the route in place for winter breaks, holiday travel, early 2027 escapes and spring vacation planning. For travel advisors and package sellers, the added nonstops create new itinerary options for Cartagena hotels, island day trips and multi-city Colombia vacations that pair the coast with Bogota or Medellin.
The Advisory Check Still Matters
The new flights should not be read as a sign that Colombia is a casual-planning destination for every traveler. The U.S. State Department currently lists Colombia at Level 3, advising Americans to reconsider travel because of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and natural-disaster risks. The advisory also identifies specific areas where Americans should not travel, including several departments and the Colombia-Venezuela border region.
Cartagena is not the same risk profile as every part of Colombia, but the official guidance still changes how U.S. travelers should plan. Visitors should avoid displaying expensive jewelry or watches, use reputable transportation, monitor local news, avoid demonstrations and keep flexible plans if road access or local conditions change. Travelers should also consider enrolling in STEP, the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, especially for family trips, solo travel or first-time visits.
Entry planning is straightforward for many U.S. leisure travelers, but it is not something to leave until the airport. State Department guidance says U.S. citizens do not need a Colombian visa for tourism or business stays of 90 days or less, and Colombia requires a valid passport. Travelers should complete Colombia’s free online Check-Mig form before flying and should be ready to show a return or onward ticket if asked.
How Travelers Should Use the New Route
The most practical benefit is choice. A traveler in Texas, the Mountain West or parts of the Midwest may find Houston a more efficient Cartagena gateway, while travelers in Washington, Baltimore, Virginia, Pennsylvania or the Carolinas may be able to use Dulles instead of adding an extra connection. That can reduce travel time and simplify checked-bag handling, two factors that matter more on shorter international vacations.
Still, travelers should compare the whole trip, not just the nonstop segment. Cartagena’s hotel market can price up during winter and holiday weeks, and airport transfers should be planned in advance for late arrivals, family groups and travelers staying outside the historic center. Houston travelers who are building longer itineraries can also review IAH airport transfers and IAH car rental options if they are positioning before or after the international flight.
The new United flights make Cartagena easier to reach for a larger share of the U.S. market, but the route is best treated as a planning advantage rather than a reason to book blindly. For Americans comfortable with Colombia’s current advisory environment, the added nonstops could make winter trips shorter, simpler and more competitive. For cautious travelers, the same announcement is a reminder to pair route excitement with careful destination research, insurance review and realistic ground-planning once they land at Rafael Nunez International Airport.