CARACAS – United Airlines is preparing to resume daily nonstop flights between Houston, Texas, and Caracas, Venezuela, on January 12, 2027, marking its return to the Venezuelan market after nearly ten years. The American carrier originally planned to restart operations in August 2026, but damage caused by powerful earthquakes in June forced the airline to postpone the launch twice.
According to aviation news outlet Aviacionline, United Airlines will become the second major U.S. carrier to restore commercial passenger services to Venezuela, following American Airlines, which resumed operations earlier this year.
The new route will connect George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston with Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, the principal international gateway serving Caracas.
United plans to operate the service daily using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a capacity of 166 passengers.
The aircraft will feature 16 seats in United First, 54 in Economy Plus, and 96 in Economy.
Under the published schedule, flight UA1046 will depart Houston at 11:55 p.m. and arrive in Caracas at 6:30 a.m. the following morning.
The return flight, UA1045, will depart Caracas at 9:00 a.m. and arrive in Houston at 12:35 p.m., with all times listed locally.
The Houston connection will allow passengers traveling from Venezuela to access United's extensive international network, including destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
The airline's return is particularly significant because United suspended its Venezuelan operations on July 1, 2017.
At the time, the company cited declining demand and the route's failure to meet financial expectations amid Venezuela's worsening economic crisis.
Two years later, in May 2019, the United States government prohibited American airlines from operating commercial flights to Venezuela, further restricting direct air connectivity between the two countries.
The restoration of U.S. airline services in 2026 represents an important development in Venezuela's efforts to rebuild international aviation connections.
United initially announced in May that it would resume daily Houston–Caracas flights on August 11, 2026.
However, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, causing extensive damage to infrastructure at Maiquetía International Airport.
The airport was forced to suspend normal commercial passenger operations while authorities assessed the damage and carried out emergency repairs.
As a result, United postponed its planned return from August 11 to October 6.
A second postponement subsequently moved the scheduled launch to January 12, 2027.
Although the earthquake damage disrupted the airport's operations, aviation reporting has also noted that United has not publicly established the precise reason for every scheduling adjustment.
Maiquetía International Airport began gradually restoring commercial passenger operations on September 1, using temporary facilities while reconstruction work continued.
The airport's recovery has allowed several international airlines to resume flights, although the rebuilding of permanent infrastructure remains an ongoing challenge.
United's return will strengthen direct connections between Venezuela and the United States, particularly for business travelers, families, and Venezuelans living abroad.
Houston is also an important international aviation hub, with connections to major cities across North and South America.
The route could therefore improve access to Venezuela for international travelers while providing additional travel options for Venezuelan residents.
American Airlines has already reestablished a presence in the Venezuelan market, making United's planned return another step toward restoring air connectivity that had been interrupted for several years.
The resumption also comes as other international airlines gradually rebuild their operations in Venezuela following the reopening of Maiquetía.
For passengers, the planned January launch represents the return of a direct Houston–Caracas connection that has been unavailable since 2017.
However, travelers are advised to verify schedules and reservations directly with United Airlines, as the route has already experienced two postponements and further operational adjustments remain possible.
If the January 12 launch proceeds as scheduled, United Airlines will end an absence of nearly a decade from Venezuela, restoring another important aviation connection between the South American country and the United States.