First direct US–Venezuela flight in seven years set to land in Caracas

The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years was scheduled to land Thursday in the Venezuelan capital, marking a major step in the restoration of travel and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Flight AA3599, operated by Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines, was set to depart Miami at 10:16 a.m. local time and arrive in Caracas roughly three hours later, before returning to Florida later in the day.

The airline said passengers traveling during the inaugural weekend would be treated to a special Venezuelan-themed onboard menu, including traditional dishes such as cachapas and ensalada de gallina.

The resumption of direct service follows a seven-year suspension imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over security concerns. The ban was lifted earlier this month after officials determined that conditions had improved.

The move also comes amid a broader thaw in relations between Washington and Caracas, including the reopening of the U.S. Embassy and renewed diplomatic engagement following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January.

American Airlines said a second daily flight between Miami and Caracas is expected to begin on May 21 as demand grows.

The flights mark the first nonstop commercial link between the two countries since 2019, when diplomatic ties were severed and U.S. carriers pulled out. In the years since, travelers relied on indirect routes through other Latin American countries.

At its peak, American Airlines operated multiple daily flights to Venezuela, but it suspended all services in 2019 amid the country’s political and economic crisis. Other major U.S. carriers, including Delta and United Airlines, had already exited the market in 2017.

Airline officials say the restored route is expected to help reunite families and create new opportunities for business and travel between the two nations.