Caribbean Flights Are Resuming After Temporary Airspace Closure-Here's What Travelers Should Know

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially restricted airspace around the Caribbean and Venezuela on Jan. 3 "to ensure the SAFETY of the flying public," Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy wrote in a post on X. Those restrictions were later lifted, but the ripple effects have affected both airlines and their passengers coming off the busy holiday travel period. United Airlines told Travel + Leisure in a statement over the weekend it had added "additional flights for Sunday to assist customers whose travel was disrupted.""

"American Airlines similarly said on Sunday it had added nearly 2,000 more seats "to boost capacity and expand access for customers who need to travel between the Eastern Caribbean and U.S." And on Monday, the carrier said both American and its wholly-owned regional carrier Envoy Air would fly interisland flights in the Eastern Caribbean for the first time in more than a decade, connecting both Anguilla and Beef Island in the British Virgin Islands with San Juan."

"Delta Air Lines also said it added more than 2,600 seats across the Caribbean for Monday and said it was "working to ensure all affected customers are reaccommodated by Tuesday, Jan. 6," but warned of potential delays for Monday nonetheless. Several airlines issued flight waivers through Jan. 6 for travelers forced to change their plans to popular Caribbean vacation destinations, including Antigua, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and beyond."

Airlines flying to the Caribbean resumed operations after temporary airspace restrictions around the Caribbean and Venezuela imposed on Jan. 3 for safety were later lifted. United added extra flights for disrupted customers; American added nearly 2,000 seats and will resume interisland service with Envoy Air, linking Anguilla and Beef Island with San Juan for the first time in over a decade. Delta added more than 2,600 seats and aimed to reaccommodate affected customers by Jan. 6 while warning of possible delays. Multiple carriers issued flight waivers through Jan. 6 for popular Caribbean destinations to assist travelers.

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