When Will Flights to the Caribbean Resume? The Wait is Over!

Estimated Reading Time

6–7 minutes

Key Takeaways

• FAA restrictions on several Caribbean airspaces expired at midnight (ET) on January 3–4, 2026—flights began resuming just after midnight on January 4.
• American Airlines restarted service on January 4, adding nearly 5,000 extra seats initially, rising to ~7,000 seats and 43 additional flights by January 5.
• Delta Air Lines returned service to/from 13 affected Caribbean airports as the directive expired, targeted a normal schedule on January 4, and added 2,600+ extra seats January 5 to help rebook stranded travelers.
• United and JetBlue restored schedules post-expiration; United added flights while JetBlue rebooked customers and added flights where possible after hundreds of cancellations.
• Expect a short recovery phase—repositioning aircraft/crews and airport capacity constraints may cause residual delays. Arrive at least 3 hours early and check airline apps for live updates.

Table of Contents

• Overview: What Happened and Why
• The Moment Flights Resumed
• Airline-by-Airline Update
• What Travelers Should Do Now
• Key Dates & Timeline
• Career & Hiring Resources for Travel Pros
• FAQ

Overview: What Happened and Why

When the news of a temporary U.S. carrier airspace closure surfaced, travelers across the globe collectively sighed. The FAA introduced a short-term safety directive affecting parts of the Caribbean after U.S. military action and strikes in Venezuela. The ripple effects were immediate—cancellations spiked across Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several Eastern Caribbean nations.

Nearly a thousand flights were canceled to/from the region during the shutdown window. Airports scrambled, call centers were overwhelmed, and social feeds filled with uncertainty.

“Safety first, clarity next: that was the order of operations. Once the directive expired, the priority shifted to getting people moving again—fast.”

The Moment Flights Resumed

As the clock struck twelve on January 3rd turning into the early hours of January 4th (ET), the FAA’s restrictions expired—and the industry exhaled. Minutes after midnight, airlines began pushing updates. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that carriers would quickly rebuild their schedules as the restrictions lifted. Relief was palpable; plans were back in motion.

Airline-by-Airline Update

• American Airlines: One of the first to respond. Service resumed January 4 with an initial ~5,000 extra seats; this scaled to ~7,000 extra seats and 43 added flights by January 5. Select inter-island segments in the Eastern Caribbean were added to help passengers reach San Juan for U.S. connections.
• Delta Air Lines: Returned flights to/from 13 Caribbean airports as the directive expired and targeted a normal schedule on January 4 (with some repositioning of aircraft/crews). To clear backlogs, Delta added more than 2,600 extra seats via additional flights on January 5.
• United Airlines: Restored Caribbean schedules after the expiration and added flights to support recovery.
• JetBlue: Rebooked impacted travelers and added flights where possible following the cancellation of 200+ flights during the closure.

Airlines remain in a short recovery phase. Expect occasional residual delays while carriers reposition aircraft and crews and work within airport capacity constraints.

What Travelers Should Do Now

• Check flight status frequently: Use your airline’s website or app (e.g., Delta’s Fly Delta app) for real-time gate, delay, and rebooking options.
• Arrive early: During recovery, plan to be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.
• Be flexible: Aircraft/crew repositioning can cause last-minute swaps or timing changes—monitor notifications closely.
• Know your options: Many carriers offer self-service rebooking, same-day confirmed changes, or waivers—check your reservation for eligibility.
• Pack patience: Lines may be longer than usual while backlogs clear.

Key Dates & Timeline

• Airspace restrictions imposed following U.S. military action and strikes in Venezuela.
• Cancellations impact Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Eastern Caribbean; ~1,000 flights affected.
• Just after midnight ET on January 4, 2026: FAA restrictions expire—flights begin to resume.
• January 4: Major U.S. carriers roll out updated schedules; operations restart with some adjustments.
• January 5: Extra sections, added flights, and larger aircraft deployed to clear backlogs.

Career & Hiring Resources for Travel Pros

Looking to pivot into travel, hospitality, or aviation as the region ramps back up? Sharpen your job materials and networking:

• Learn how to craft a standout cover letter for oil and gas jobs to adapt strong, metric-driven narratives for travel and hospitality roles.
• Need senior-level polish? Our guide to an executive resume writing service shows how to highlight leadership impact for airlines, hotels, and airports.
• Beat automated filters with these ATS insights: how to overcome resume screening software and land your interview.
• Expand your reach (and referrals) using proven LinkedIn networking tips.

FAQ

When exactly did flights to the Caribbean resume?

Operations began resuming just after midnight ET on January 4, 2026, following the expiration of FAA restrictions.

Are airlines back to normal schedules?

Mostly, yes—but there is a short recovery phase. Expect some residual delays and occasional aircraft/crew repositioning over the next few days.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

Plan for at least 3 hours before departure for Caribbean flights while backlogs clear and operations normalize.

What’s the best way to rebook or check my flight?

Use your airline’s website or app for live status, notifications, and self-service rebooking options. Gate agents and call centers can help, but digital channels are usually fastest.

Will I pay change fees if my flight was canceled?

Policies vary by carrier and fare. Many airlines issue waivers after widespread disruptions—check your reservation or email notifications for specifics.

Are inter-island flights available to connect via San Juan?

Yes—some carriers added inter-island services in the Eastern Caribbean to facilitate connections through San Juan during the recovery period.

Is travel insurance helpful in this situation?

It can be, depending on your policy. Look for coverage on trip interruption, delays, and additional lodging/meal expenses. Always review exclusions and claim requirements.

What if my itinerary still shows a mismatch after rebooking?

Give the system time to sync. If it persists, contact your airline via chat, social media teams, or visit an airport desk for manual reticketing.