United Airlines will be winging its way to its third Colombian city, announcing it will serve Cartagena. Following a recent article by Simple Flying for the carrier’s route annoucement, however, UA has now released the schedule for which the four-weekly flights will operate.

The new route announcements come as the airline celebrates Colombia being part of its Latin America network for more than three decades, and the continued investment the airline plans for travelers with ‘new and distinct travel experiences’. Cartagena is a popular tourist destination due to being on the shores of the Caribbean, and famous for its Old Town, 16th century forts, and Afro-Caribbean culture.

Four Flights A Week To Cartagena From Houston And Washington

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United’s new services to Cartagena Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) will depart from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), both four times weekly from December 17. The flights will be operated with the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX 8, which can seat up to 166 passengers in a two-class configuration (14 First, 54 Economy Plus, and 96 Main Cabin).

These flights will complement the existing services already operated by United to Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG) with services from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Houston, and from Medellín José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) with non-stop services from Houston. Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Global Alliances, United Airlines, shared the following statement in relation to the airline’s decision to serve Cartagena:

“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.”

Non-Stop Flights From Houston And Washington Dulles To Cartagena

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With the airline’s schedule now live, United will fly from Washington Dulles non-stop to Cartagena four times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the MAX 8 pushing back from the gate at the U.S. Capitol at 8:20 AM. The flight time is just over four hours, and it will touch down at Cartagena at 1:10 PM. Return flights will push back from Cartagena at 4:00 PM on the same day for a return trip to Washington D.C.. Estimated arrival time of 8:40 PM.

Services from Houston will depart on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9:35 AM, with an estimated flight time of four hours and 15 minutes gate to gate. Return flights will depart at 2:20 PM the same day, for an arrival time back to Houston at 5:45 PM. The airlines will face no direct competition on these routes.

These services are expected to run seasonally across the Northern Hemisphere winter season. The flights mark United Airlines’ 156th international destination, and the fourth alone this year to Latin America.

International Flights From The United States And Canada To Cartagena

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While United will be the only operator on services from Cartagena to Washington Dulles and Houston, there are several other operators flying non-stop between the Colombian city and the United States. American Airlines maintains a year-round service to Miami International Airport (MIA), while Colombian flag carrier Avianca services seasonal flights from CTG to Miami and New York JFK Airport (JFK).

Delta Air Lines shuttles passengers between Cartagena and Atlanta (ATL), and JetBlue services the city from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and New York JFK. Travelers from Canada also enjoy year-round flights to the region by Air Transat from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), while Air Canada also operates seasonal services from the same Canadian cities.

United’s decision to add a third gateway to Colombia shows the airline’s commitment to the region and the demand that the airline is banking on as travelers look to new and exciting international destinations for their next holiday. These flights no doubt will be popular for point-to-point travel, while also providing connections from the wider domestic and international United network.