United Airlines will launch nonstop service between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Cartagena Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) on December 17, 2026, operating four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Flight UA 1533 departs Dulles at 8:20am, arriving in Cartagena at 1:10pm local time, per United's official press release via PR Newswire.
United will be the first US carrier to fly nonstop from Washington Dulles to Cartagena. The Dulles route was announced simultaneously with a Houston IAH–Cartagena service on June 29, 2026. Together, the two new routes will connect Cartagena to more than 70 US cities through United's hubs, according to the airline's official announcement.
Cartagena is Lonely Planet's 2026 Best in Travel pick, known for its walled colonial old town, Caribbean coastline, and culinary scene. Airways Magazine confirmed the year-round frequency intention and Boeing 737 aircraft from United's press release. Simple Flying noted the Dulles service starts December 17, four-times weekly. The route is subject to government approval.
United currently serves Bogotá and Medellín from Dulles, making Cartagena the third Colombian city in its Washington-area programme and expanding the D.C. area's direct Colombia connections.
Sources
- PR Newswire – United Announces New Nonstop Flights from Houston and Washington, D.C. to Cartagena
- Business Travel News – New Airline Routes: July 2026 Updates
- Simple Flying – Revealed: United Airlines Launches 3 New Nonstop International Routes
- Airways Magazine – United Announces Nonstop Flights from Houston, Washington, D.C. to Cartagena
Sources & references (4)
Things to do at each end of the route
Top-rated tours & experiences in Washington and Cartagena.