George Bush Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. Covering an area of 10,000 acres, it is Houston's largest airport, the fourth-largest multi-airport system in the US, and the ninth busiest commercial airport in the country. The airport has five terminals and 121 total gates, with an underground train and a Skyway automated people mover system connecting all five terminals and the airport hotel.

Terminals: 5 terminals, 121 gates, and a Skyway automated people mover system

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) in Houston, Texas, US, is a large airport with five terminals and 121 gates in total. The terminals are connected by the Skyway automated people mover system, which provides airside connections between all five terminals. Additionally, an underground train (Subway) connects all terminals to the airport hotel.

Each terminal at the airport serves a specific purpose and caters to different airlines and flight types. Terminal A, for example, is primarily used by non-United domestic carriers and contains 20 gates. In contrast, Terminal B is dedicated to United Express flights and has 30 gates. Terminal C is the main base for United Airlines' domestic operations and has 29 gates.

Terminal D stands out for its ability to accommodate super-jumbo jets like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8. It is used for non-United international flights and currently has 18 gates. However, it is important to note that Terminal D is undergoing refurbishment as part of the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), which includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT). This project will consolidate Terminal D and Terminal E into one centralised terminal.

Terminal E, the newest terminal, serves all United Airlines international flights and some domestic operations. It has 24 gates. The ITRP, with a budget of $1.3 billion, is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 and will significantly enhance the airport's capacity and passenger experience.

Expansion: $2.8 billion expansion for increasing aviation demands in Texas

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. It is named after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. The airport is undergoing a significant expansion to meet the growing demand for aviation in Texas.

The $2.8 billion expansion project, known as the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), includes the construction of a new international terminal and the transformation of United Airlines' Terminal B. The project aims to enhance the travel experience, boost the local economy, and accommodate the growing number of passengers, especially with events like the World Cup.

United Airlines and the Houston Airport System (HAS) are investing more than $2 billion in the Terminal B transformation, which will include the construction of 40 new gates for domestic and international travel. The terminal's curbside and roadway capacity will be expanded, along with the ticketing lobby, featuring dynamic signage, intuitive wayfinding systems, and a ground-level check-in area. The third floor will house a streamlined security processing area, and once through security, passengers will have access to two new passenger concourses, replacing the older flight stations.

The new Terminal B North Concourse will span approximately 765,000 square feet over three levels and accommodate 22 narrow-body gates. The Terminal B South Concourse project will convert 30 gates to accommodate larger aircraft. In addition to these improvements, the expansion will also bring new jobs to the area and enhance Houston's reputation as a premier destination.

The IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program also includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into one centralized terminal. This project is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 and will further enhance the airport's capacity to handle international passengers.

Transport: Underground train, bus, shuttle, and taxi services available

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) in Houston, Texas, offers a variety of transport options for passengers and visitors. While there is no underground train system, the airport provides several other means of transportation to and from the airport.

Bus Services

The local bus route 102 Bush/IAH Express travels directly to the airport from downtown Houston. This service is provided by METRO and connects to the METRORail lines, offering transfers in downtown Houston near the Downtown Transit Center and at St. Joseph's Parkway. METRO buses are ADA-accessible and offer free Wi-Fi and video surveillance for added security.

Shuttle Services

Super Shuttle provides shared van services from the airport to surrounding communities and locations such as NRG Park, Downtown Houston, Uptown, Greenway Plaza, and the Texas Medical Center. They offer door-to-door services, ensuring convenience and timely arrivals for passengers. Additionally, Super Shuttle Express/ExecuCar provides private van, black car, and SUV services for airport transportation.

Taxi Services

Taxi services are also available at the airport, with companies like SuperShuttle offering luxurious black car services for transportation to and from the airport.

Automated People Mover

Within the airport, the Skyway automated people mover system provides airside connections between all five terminals. The Subway system also offers landside connections between the five terminals and the airport hotel.

Art: Glass sculpture, mosaic mural, cast bronze tree, and more

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) in Houston, Texas, is not short on art. Winning the 'World's Best Art in the Airport' from Airport by Skytrax in 2023 and 2024, the airport has exceptional art displays that celebrate Texas culture.

One of the most notable art pieces at the airport is Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings", a multicoloured glass sculpture suspended below a skylight in the Terminal A North Concourse. Terminal A also houses Terry Allen's "Countree Music", a cast bronze tree that plays instrumental music by Joe Ely and David Byrne. The corridor leading to Terminal A features Leamon Green's "Passing Through", a 200-foot (61 m) etched glass wall depicting airport travellers.

The corridor leading to Terminal B showcases Dixie Friend Gay's "Houston Bayou", an 8 ft × 75 ft (2.4 m × 22.9 m) Byzantine glass mosaic mural that captures scenes from Houston's bayous and wetlands. The installation includes several bronze animals embedded in the floor and five mosaic columns. Terminal B's elevators are also an artistic feature, cased in stainless steel accordion-shaped structures designed by Rachel Hecker.

Outside Terminal E, travellers can find Jay Baker's "Lights Spikes", a sculpture originally created for the 1990 G7 Summit hosted by President George H. W. Bush in Houston. The sculpture's columns lean at a ten-degree angle towards a central point, representing Houston, and the distance between each "spike" and this point is relative to the distance between Houston and the capitals of the countries the flags represent.

The airport's commitment to art continued with the installation of Dale Chihuly's "Coastal Prairie Fiori" in 2024. This hand-blown glass masterpiece, inspired by the wildflowers of the Texas coastal plains, stretches nearly a third of a football field over the 17-lane TSA screening area in the new International Central Processor (ICP).

With a strong focus on showcasing art, the airport has also promoted open calls for artists to contribute to its growing collection, offering substantial budgets for artworks that enhance the airport's spaces.

History: Named after George H. W. Bush, the 41st US president, in 1997

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) in Houston, Texas, was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969. In 1997, it was renamed in honour of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston.

The airport is a central part of Houston's air facilities, offering non-stop service to 152 cities worldwide. It served 35 million passengers in 2001, 36 million in 2005, and is projected to handle 33 million international passengers annually following the completion of the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) in late 2024 or early 2025.

The airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston, covering an area of 10,000 acres. It is the fourth-largest multi-airport system in the US and the ninth busiest commercial airport in the country. It is also the second-largest airport in Texas and the 15th busiest in the United States as of 2021.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) and 121 total gates. Terminal A features artworks such as Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings", a multicoloured glass sculpture, and Terry Allen's "Countree Music", a cast bronze tree that plays instrumental music. Terminal B showcases Dixie Friend Gay's "Houston Bayou", an 8 ft × 75 ft Byzantine glass mosaic mural, along with bronze animals embedded in the floor and mosaic columns. Terminal E features Jay Baker's "Lights Spikes", a sculpture originally created for the 1990 G7 Summit hosted by President George H. W. Bush in Houston.

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