George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Guide to George Bush Intercontinental Airport

With flights to almost 200 locations, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport opened in June 1969. It is one of the busiest airports in the country and a hub for United Airlines. With five runways, it has the ability to handle over 45 million passengers annually, and operates more than 650 departures each day.

The 41st president of the United States is remembered by the name George Bush and in 1997, the airport's name was changed from Houston Intercontinental Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Located north of Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is around 22 miles away from the city center. These domestic carriers all depart from IAH and are top-notch options:

• United Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Aeromexico
• Spirit Airlines

Know Before You Go

The airport includes almost 25,000 parking spots, service from 27 airlines, a Marriott hotel right on the property, and an underground passenger train that connects all of the terminals and the hotel. Five terminals, 11,000 acres of land, and an on-site hotel make up Intercontinental.

The Master Plan 2035 for the airport is designed to assist the facility in managing growth and provide passengers with a better travel experience. In progress are the new Mickey Leland International Terminal, which will create a four-level single consolidated terminal building, the addition of 2,200 new parking spaces, and the addition of the new Terminal B North Pier between the current Terminal B North gates and the current Terminal C North Pier.

George Bush Intecontinental Airport Parking

The airport provides guaranteed parking through the SurePark program and maintains a guide that shows how full the lots and garages are. The Corporate Park program enables businesses to get reduced rates for parking at all lots. IAH has two mobile phone lots where drivers can wait for their arriving guests for airport pickups.

Driving Directions

Take I-45 North from downtown Houston for a few miles until you reach Exit 51, where you may merge onto I-610 East. Take Exit 19B after travelling one mile, then continue on Hardy Toll Road for another 10 miles until you reach the Intercontinental Airport exit. Take the exit, then follow the directions to George Bush International Airport.

Public Transportation and Taxis

Take the 102 bus line, which picks up passengers in Terminal C next to the baggage claim, to go to Houston from the airport via public transit.

Every terminal has a taxi stand outside, and the Houston metro region has ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft as well. Senior citizens could ask for a 10% discount on their fare while hailing a cab.

Many hotels have free shuttle service, but you may also purchase a ticket for the SuperShuttle, which is faster than the bus and less expensive than a cab. You can purchase tickets at the SuperShuttle counter close to baggage claim.

Where to Eat and Drink

More than a hundred eateries, bars, cafes, and snack shops are available at Houston Airport for you to get a bite. You may be sure to find your favourite fast food joints thanks to the wide variety of options, but you should also think about making time to eat at one of the sit-down restaurants at the airport. Some of the most well-liked terminals are listed below:

• Liquid Provisions in Terminal A
• El Real and Bullritos in Terminal B
• Pala or Ember in Terminal C
• Hugo's Cocina and Tony's Wine Cellar & Bistro in Terminal D
• Yume or Q in Terminal E.

Where to Shop

There are numerous places to shop at this airport, including Duty-Free shops that are located in each terminal as well as automated electronic and cosmetic kiosks. You may purchase upscale goods like Swarvoski and Chanel at George Bush Intercontinental, as well as treats from Natalie's Candy Jar and even a puzzle game at Mindworks. Houston! or Pinto Ranch both sell mementos with a Texas flair.

How to Spend Your Layover

You should have at least six hours available if you want to make the most of Houston during a protracted layover. The fastest way to get into the city is by taxi, although you can also use the bus. 

Just enough time should be left for you to meander through the city's centre or perhaps visit a museum like the Houston Museum of Natural Science or the agnostic Rothko Chapel. You might also make a visit to the Houston Space Center if you have a lot of time and give yourself the entire day. 

The opportunity to see actual space shuttles and astronaut suits offers for a unique experience that can only be enjoyed in Houston, despite the fact that it is not very close to the airport.

If you have an overnight stopover, think about sleeping at the airport's Houston Airport Marriott or a cheap hotel nearby like the SpringHill Suites, Red Roof Inn, or DoubleTree. If you're searching for something to do in the airport besides eating and shopping, try the Xpress Spa for a treatment or look for one of the massage chairs, which are available in every terminal.

Airport Lounges

The majority of the airport lounges at this sizable airport may only be accessed with a premium ticket or airline loyalty programme. There are several lounges, including the United Club (Terminals A, B, C, and E), the Air France Lounge (Terminal D), the KLM Crown Lounge (Terminal D), and the Centurion Lounge, which has shower facilities (Terminal D).

Additionally, there is a USO Lounge at the Houston Airport that is open to both active-duty and retired members of the US military as well as their travelling companions.

Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

Free and widespread Wi-Fi is offered. All terminals have charging stations, but there is also the option of using a rapid charger machine. These devices can charge your phone in half the time for minimal cost. These only function if your device is capable of quick charging, which many older models are not.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Tips and Tidbits

• The airport has two chapels, pet relief areas, smoking places, multilingual special service agents, visitor information centres, and a currency exchange counter among its amenities.
• To get between terminals, take the complimentary Skyway train.
• One of Texas's largest public art collections is housed at IAH. The airport and the city of Houston's Civic Art Program collaborated to gather purchased and donated pieces of art. In order to provide visual and cultural value to the identity of the city, this artwork has been erected in each of the airport's five terminals. Placed both within and outside the airport, the pieces range from sculptures to pictures. 
• Local jazz musicians perform onstage in Terminal A during the workweek as part of Intercontinental's Harmony in the Airport program.

FAQs about George Bush Intercontinental Airport