Smoking At Houston Airport: What You Need To Know

can you smoke at houston airport

Houston is home to two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Both airports have designated smoking areas outside of the terminals. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located 23 miles from downtown Houston, is the tenth busiest airport in North America and the fastest-growing airport among the top ten. The airport served 48.4 million passengers in 2024, its highest annual total to date. William P. Hobby Airport, on the other hand, has also been undergoing transformations to enhance the passenger experience, including improvements to designated smoking areas.

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Smoking areas at Houston George Bush International Airport

Houston's George Bush International Airport, also known as IAH, is located 23 miles from downtown Houston. It is named after the 41st president of the United States, George Bush. The airport is a hub for Spirit Airlines and Texas International Airlines.

IAH is a smoke-free facility by city ordinance. However, smoking areas are provided outside each terminal, at least 25 feet away from exit doors. These areas are usually located near the terminal exits, and travellers can find them at the following locations:

  • Terminal A: Door A113
  • Terminal B: Near the taxi pickup
  • Terminal C: Near door C105
  • Terminal D: To the left after clearing customs, or near the departure level (there is a small coffee shop on this level)
  • Terminal E: Near door E101

In addition to the designated smoking areas, IAH offers a variety of other amenities and services, including free Wi-Fi, visitor information centres, currency exchange services, nursing rooms for mothers, and baggage carts.

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Smoking indoors at the airport

Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is a smoke-free facility by city ordinance. Smoking is not allowed indoors at the airport, including at the bars. However, the airport has designated smoking areas outdoors, at least 25 feet away from exit doors. These areas are located at all terminals: at Terminal A, it is at Door A113; at Terminal B, it is near the taxi pickup; at Terminal C, it is near Door C105; and at Terminal E, it is near Door E101.

There are plenty of benches under cover around the terminals, outside. One traveller has reported that the Terminal C re-entry point is hassle-free, and that smoking is possible at the TSA screening point in Terminal D, which displays waiting times on a screen.

For those arriving at the airport, smoking is possible to the left after clearing customs. If you have enough time, Terminal D is the closest to Terminal E, maximising fresh air time.

The airport served 43 million passengers in 2015, and this number grew to 48.4 million in 2024, making it the tenth busiest airport in North America.

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Smoking outdoors at the airport

Smoking is not permitted inside the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. However, the airport does have designated smoking areas outdoors at each terminal. These areas are located at least 25 feet away from exit doors.

At Terminal A, the designated smoking area is at Door A113. Terminal B's smoking area is near the taxi pickup location. Terminal C's smoking area is near Door C105, and Terminal E's smoking area is near Door E101.

One traveller in 2017 confirmed that there are plenty of benches under cover around the terminal outdoors. They also mentioned that the Terminal C re-entry point was hassle-free. In March 2023, a traveller noted that smoking is possible outdoors to the left after leaving the airport and clearing customs.

The airport is located 23 miles from downtown Houston and is named after the 41st president of the United States, George Bush.

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Smoking areas near terminal doors

Houston Airport, officially known as George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), is located 23 miles from Downtown Houston. The airport has gained its name from the 41st president of the United States, George Bush.

Smoking is not permitted inside the airport as it is designated as a smoke-free facility by city ordinance. However, there are designated smoking areas located outside each terminal, at least 25 feet away from the exit doors.

  • Terminal A: Door A113.
  • Terminal B: Near the taxi pickup area.
  • Terminal C (also known as the Lewis W. Cutrer Terminal): Near door C105.
  • Terminal D (also called the Mickey Leland Terminal): It is advised to go to Terminal D for smoking as it is the closest to Terminal E, maximizing fresh air time.
  • Terminal E: Near door E101.

In addition to the designated smoking areas, there are plenty of benches under cover around the terminals where smoking may be permitted.

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Re-entering the terminal after smoking

Houston has two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). IAH is designated as a smoke-free facility by city ordinance, but smoking is permitted outside each terminal, at least 25 feet away from exit doors. There are special smoking areas at all the terminals: at Terminal A, it is at Door A113; at Terminal B, it is near the taxi pickup; at Terminal C, it is near Door C105; and at Terminal E, it is near Door E101.

At IAH, passengers can re-enter the terminal through a designated entrance after smoking outside. For example, a passenger who smoked near Door A113 at Terminal A would need to return to that terminal's entrance. Each terminal has a different smoking area, so passengers should be mindful of their terminal and the corresponding entrance to re-enter. It is important to note that smoking is not permitted indoors, including at the bars.

At HOU, there is limited information available regarding re-entering the terminal after smoking. However, as the airport has improved designated smoking areas, it is likely that passengers can re-enter through a designated entrance after smoking in the designated areas.

It is important to note that smoking regulations may change, and it is always advisable to follow the airport's guidelines and signage regarding smoking and re-entry. Passengers should also be mindful of their flight details and allow sufficient time for security checks and boarding.

In addition to smoking areas, both airports offer a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and lounges. IAH provides free Wi-Fi and is committed to providing an outstanding experience for travellers with disabilities. HOU, located 23 miles from downtown Houston, has also undergone transformations to enhance the passenger experience, including the Terminal B project, which adds new gates and improves existing facilities.

Frequently asked questions

No, smoking is not allowed inside the airport. However, there are designated smoking areas outside each terminal, at least 25 feet away from exit doors.

At terminal A, the designated smoking area is at Door A113. At terminal B, it is near the taxi pickup. At terminal C, it is near door C105, and at terminal E, it is near door E101.

There are plenty of benches under cover around the terminal, outside. There is also a small coffee shop at the departure level of Terminal D.

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