Delta Air Lines, a major U.S. carrier, has announced the suspension of its regular flights to Cuba beginning in October. This decision significantly affects the island's connectivity with the United States. According to reports from The U.S. Sun and Caribbean News Digital, Delta cited the route's low profitability and the operational challenges that American airlines face in Cuba as reasons for this move.
Delta resumed its operations to Havana in December 2016 after more than five decades of interruption, a shift that followed the diplomatic thaw initiated by Barack Obama's administration. However, recent months have seen a reduction in flight frequencies due to declining demand and rising operational costs.
Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation reveal that Delta requested to suspend its Havana flights from October 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026. This request was approved on September 3, meaning all weekly flights between Atlanta and Havana will be canceled, and the 14 weekly connections from Miami will be cut in half.
“Although the current U.S.-Cuba market demand does not support these flights at the moment, Delta remains optimistic about future recovery,” the airline stated. Delta is not alone in reducing operations to Cuba. United Airlines ceased its Houston-Havana service in early September, while Southwest scaled back its Tampa-Havana route to a single daily flight until 2026. American Airlines has also sought to decrease frequencies, and JetBlue eliminated several connections in 2022, citing Havana airport's infrastructure limitations and regulatory hurdles.
The initial surge in the air travel market following the 2016 opening has deteriorated due to Cuba's economic crisis, travel restrictions from Washington, and a lack of connections beyond the Cuban capital. Delta's suspension is another setback for tourism and mobility for Cubans, amid severe challenges in regaining pre-pandemic international air traffic levels.
Delta's decision to suspend regular flights to Cuba is not isolated but part of a broader trend of declining air connectivity between the island and the United States. New regulations from Washington and operational difficulties have led to a systematic reduction in frequencies and routes by American airlines. As early as 2023, United Airlines and Delta had begun cutting back flights to Havana due to low demand and high costs.
These measures add to similar cuts by Southwest and JetBlue, further isolating Cuba from South Florida and other key cities. This decline follows a brief surge after a partial reopening of the air market in 2023, when Delta resumed direct flights between Miami and Havana with hopes of recovery. However, the combined effects of the island's economic turmoil, airport infrastructure limitations, and regulatory challenges have hindered that recovery.
Impact of Delta's Flight Suspension to Cuba
Why is Delta suspending its flights to Cuba?
Delta is suspending its flights due to low profitability of the route and operational challenges faced by U.S. airlines in Cuba.
When will Delta's flight suspension take effect?
The suspension will take effect from October 26, 2025, and is scheduled to last until March 28, 2026.
How does this suspension affect travel between the U.S. and Cuba?
This suspension reduces air connectivity between the U.S. and Cuba, impacting tourism and the mobility of Cuban travelers.