American Airlines resumed nonstop commercial flights between the United States and Venezuela for the first time in seven years on Thursday when Flight 3599 departed Miami International Airport for Caracas.

The Embraer 175, operated by American's wholly owned subsidiary Envoy Air, left MIA at 10:11 a.m. ET and arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas less than 3.5 hours later. The departure featured a water cannon salute from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and a gate celebration where staff handed out small Venezuelan flags to passengers. The aircraft bore a special livery commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Direct U.S. flights to Venezuela had been suspended since 2019, when the Department of Homeland Security banned passenger and cargo services, citing security risks to passengers, aircraft, and crew amid political unrest under then-President Nicolás Maduro. American, which began service to Venezuela in 1987, was among the last major U.S. carriers to halt operations that year.

The resumption follows Maduro's ouster in January 2026 during a U.S. military operation in Caracas, leading to an interim government under Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president. President Donald Trump directed the Department of Transportation to restore air service, and the DHS rescinded the flight ban after determining improved safety conditions. The DOT approved America's request in March, with the Transportation Security Administration clearing Caracas airport procedures.

Nate Gatten, American's executive vice president of American Eagle, Corporate Real Estate and Government Affairs, said: "American is proud to be the first airline to resume service between Venezuela and the U.S. Our historic return to Venezuela wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the governments of both countries."

The airline plans daily MIA-CCS service using Embraer 175s, with a second daily round-trip starting May 21. Tickets went on sale earlier this month, offering connections from American's Miami hub to over 85 U.S. and Latin American destinations.

Miami, home to the largest Venezuelan community in the U.S., saw emotional reunions on the inaugural flight. Passenger Lennart Ochoa of Miami told reporters he was excited to visit family after securing a ticket as soon as they became available. Venezuelan-American entrepreneur Liz Rebecca Alarcón welcomed the development, saying it brings the diaspora closer to relatives and supports a democratic transition.

The flights coincide with U.S. efforts to ease sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for reforms, including an amnesty for political prisoners and openings in the oil sector, as the interim government addresses economic challenges.