United Cartagena flights are giving travelers two new gateways into one of Colombia’s most magnetic coastal cities. Starting December 17, United Airlines plans to launch new nonstop service from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport to Cartagena, Colombia, subject to government approval.
For travelers who have Colombia on the mind, this is a strong move. Cartagena is not just another dot on the map. It is a Caribbean city with Spanish colonial walls, colorful balconies, ocean air, African and Indigenous cultural roots, and a food scene that knows how to speak with rhythm. For those of us who understand the Caribbean as more than a vacation backdrop, Cartagena carries history in its stones and music in its streets.
United says it will be the first U.S. airline to offer nonstop flights from both Houston and Washington, D.C. to Cartagena. The new year-round service will begin with four flights per week during the winter season. Flights are scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays on Boeing 737 aircraft.
The new United Cartagena flights expand the airline’s long relationship with Colombia. United has served the country for more than 30 years and currently flies to Bogotá and Medellín. With Cartagena joining the network, travelers now have another way to experience a different side of Colombia, one shaped by the Caribbean Sea, old-world architecture, and a city that never seems to lose its pulse.
From Washington Dulles, the outbound flight is scheduled to depart at 8:20 a.m. and arrive in Cartagena at 1:10 p.m. The return flight is scheduled to leave Cartagena at 4:00 p.m. and arrive at Dulles at 8:40 p.m.
From Houston, the outbound flight is scheduled to depart at 9:35 a.m. and arrive in Cartagena at 2:50 p.m. The return flight is scheduled to leave Cartagena at 2:20 p.m. and arrive in Houston at 5:45 p.m. Schedules remain subject to change.
United also notes that passengers on these Boeing 737 flights can expect seatback screens at every seat, Bluetooth connectivity, larger overhead bins, and eventually free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members.
Cartagena’s growing international appeal is no accident. Lonely Planet named the city a 2026 Best in Travel destination, pointing to its Spanish architecture, culinary energy, and layered history. With these new United Cartagena flights, the trip becomes easier for travelers connecting through Houston and Washington, D.C., and for many across North America.
For United, this is more than a route announcement. It is a signal that Latin America and the Caribbean remain central to its network strategy. For travelers, it is an invitation. Pack light, walk the old city slowly, taste everything, and let Cartagena do what Caribbean cities do best: remind you that history is not frozen. It dances.