American Airlines is celebrating a return to a Caribbean destination it stopped serving nearly two years ago. However, the launch comes with a complication: U.S. officials are still urging Americans to stay away.
On November 1, 2026, American Airlines resumed flights to Haiti with nonstop service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Cap-Haïtien International Airport (CAP). The return follows a suspension prompted by security concerns in November 2024, when gunfire struck several U.S. airlines’ aircraft. The new service arrives even as Haiti remains under the State Department’s highest travel advisory.
American Airlines Is Returning To Haiti With Daily Miami Flights
In its launch announcement, American described itself as the first major U.S. network carrier to resume flights to Haiti. The route offers connections through Miami to more than 90 destinations across the United States.
The inaugural flight also had a personal connection to the country. An all-Haitian, Creole-speaking crew, led by Captain Oliver Jean, operated the service. Cap-Haïtien also became the 100th destination in American Airlines’ Caribbean and Latin America network during it centennial year.
“The connection between the United States and Haiti is incredibly meaningful, which is especially true in South Florida. We know the critical role air service plays in linking countries and communities, so we’re beyond proud to reinstate such a consequential connection for so many. We’ll also have our largest-ever schedule out of our Miami hub this winter, and there’s no better way to continue our commitment to South Florida than by resuming our Haiti service,” said American’s Senior Vice President of MIA Operations Juan Carlos Liscano.
The service was announced earlier this year, with the carrier highlighting the Haitian-American population in South Florida and connections useful for communities in New York City and Orlando. The airline also said the route would offer premium cabin options and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Those added connections come with a more somber consideration for passengers, though. The U.S. State Department continues to warn Americans against traveling to Haiti, including the city the airline is now serving.
Haiti Remains Under A Level 4 Travel Advisory
The State Department’s current Haiti advisory, issued July 10, 2026, remains at Level 4, its highest advisory level.
“Do not travel to Haiti due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited health care,” the advisory states.
The disruption also extended to cruise travel, with Celebrity Cruises previously canceling stops in Labadee, Haiti.
The department warns that security restrictions severely limit the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency assistance. It advises Americans in Haiti to maintain an emergency departure plan that does not depend on government help, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, and check insurance coverage for medical evacuation.
The department also says that protests and roadblocks can develop unpredictably, while hospitals and clinics lack staff and basic resources. The return of an airline doesn’t necessarily resolve those difficulties on the ground.
Why The Travel Advisory Doesn’t Prevent Flights To Cap-Haïtien
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not banned U.S. airlines from flying anywhere in Haiti. However, it prohibits them from flying below 10,000 feet in certain areas around Port-au-Prince because of armed groups.
Cap-Haïtien’s airport is outside that restricted area. The FAA says gangs have a limited presence around that airport and have not historically targeted aircraft there.
American’s previous service to Port-au-Prince, however, was directly affected by that threat.
American Airlines Previously Suspended Haiti Flights After Its Aircraft Was Hit By Gunfire
On November 11, 2024, American Flight 819 landed safely in Miami after departing Port-au-Prince. However, a subsequent inspection found bullet damage to the aircraft’s exterior, the airline said in a statement reported by ABC News. On November 12, American confirmed that its daily Miami–Port-au-Prince service was suspended through February 12, 2025.
American’s planned February return ultimately did not happen. In December 2024, WLRN reported that the airline had extended its suspension without announcing a new restart date. American said it would continue monitoring conditions and assessing safety, security, and customer demand when considering a return.
“American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP). We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti, and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service,” an American Airlines spokesperson told the news outlet.
The incident was part of a wider disruption, as Spirit and JetBlue aircraft were also struck by gunfire, and the FAA imposed an initial 30-day restriction on U.S. civil aviation operations below 10,000 feet over Haiti. That history of disrupted service left some travelers uncertain whether the airline’s planned return would go ahead.
What Travelers Said About American Airlines’ Return To Haiti
American’s June announcement drew some skepticism on Reddit. One commenter questioned whether further flight restrictions would delay the return, writing, “I’ll believe when I see it.”
In the same discussion, a commenter argued that the Haitian diaspora’s purchasing power gave airlines a strong incentive to restore service.
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I feel like every time they do this, the [FAA] extends their ban, and then the airline delays. I’ll believe [it] when I see it.” |
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“The demand is so high they can’t even avoid it if they wanted to. Which speaks to the buying power of the Haitian diaspora, who are the majority of people looking to go to Haiti.’ |
Crew safety was another concern. In a separate Reddit discussion, one commenter questioned whether American chose Cap-Haïtien because it was safer than Port-au-Prince and suggested crews should receive hazard pay, writing, “I feel terrible for the crews that have to go to Haiti. Maybe they’re sending it into CAP because [it’s] safer than Port-au-Prince? Either way, I hope they receive hazard pay.”
TheTravel has contacted American Airlines for comment.
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