
Houston is served by two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located around 20-23 miles north of Downtown Houston, while William P. Hobby Airport is located around 7-11 miles south of Downtown Houston.
What You'll Learn
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is 22-23 miles from Downtown Houston
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is 7-11 miles from Downtown Houston
- IAH is the second-busiest airport in Texas and 15th busiest in the US
- HOU is the only operating base for Southwest Airlines in Houston
- IAH has five terminals
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is 22-23 miles from Downtown Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located approximately 22-23 miles from Downtown Houston. The airport is accessible via Interstate 45, US Highway 59, the Hardy Toll Road, and the Sam Houston Tollway. Houston traffic is often heavy, especially during peak travel times (5 pm-9 pm daily), and on Fridays and Sundays.
IAH is one of the largest airports in Houston, with five terminals that service 26 domestic and international airlines. It is the second-largest hub for United Airlines and is frequently cited as one of the busiest airports in the world, with over 39 million travellers passing through annually. The airport covers 10,000 acres of land and has five runways.
There are various transport options available to get from IAH to Downtown Houston. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO), offers bus services, including the 102 Bush IAH Express, which serves the airport and downtown locations. Rental car agencies, ride apps, and taxis are also available at the airport.
IAH provides a wide range of amenities for travellers, including dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The airport has a variety of lounges, duty-free shops, convenience stores, and specialty boutiques. It is also known for its excellent dining and retail experiences, with options such as Gulf seafood, Tex-Mex, and Neapolitan-style pizzas. IAH also features public art installations and a yoga studio.
In summary, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is conveniently located about 22-23 miles from Downtown Houston, offering travellers a range of transportation options and amenities to make their journey more enjoyable.
Airports and Public Phones: Availability and Accessibility
You may want to see also
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is 7-11 miles from Downtown Houston
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is located 7-11 miles from Downtown Houston. The airport is named after William P. Hobby, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. It is also sometimes referred to as Houston International Airport.
HOU is the smaller of Houston's two airports, the other being George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). HOU is located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston, with various transport options available to travellers. These include taxis, ride apps, and courtesy vans from various hotels and motels. The public bus route 40 also serves HOU and downtown locations, operating from around 6 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday.
William P. Hobby Airport primarily serves domestic destinations, with nonstop service to over 60 destinations across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In 2019, HOU served over 14.4 million passengers across 83 destinations. HOU is also the only operating base for Southwest Airlines in Houston.
Compared to IAH, HOU is a small airport, operating out of a single terminal. This makes it easy and quick for travellers to locate their gate. There are over 15 food and beverage outlets, as well as an XpresSpa, a chapel, a mothers' room, and free lending libraries.
Clear at Ft Lauderdale Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
IAH is the second-busiest airport in Texas and 15th busiest in the US
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is a major hub for air travel and ranks as the 15th busiest airport in the United States. It is located about 22-23 miles north of downtown Houston and is accessible via Interstate 45, US Highway 59, the Hardy Toll Road, and the Sam Houston Tollway. The airport covers 10,000 acres of land and has five runways, all of which are over 9,000 feet in length.
IAH is the second-busiest airport in Texas, serving the Greater Houston metropolitan area. It is a significant international gateway, offering scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents. In 2023, the airport handled around 46 million passengers, making it a key player in both domestic and international travel. The airport has five terminals connected by an automated people mover and a subway system, with 121 total gates.
IAH is a primary hub for United Airlines, which operates a substantial number of flights from the airport. It also serves as a hub for several other airlines, including AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, TACA, and United Airlines.
The airport has a wide variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options for travellers. It is known for its excellent retail and dining experiences, with award-winning dining and retail options. IAH also houses one of the largest collections of public art in Texas, with installations dotted throughout the airport, including sculptures, photographs, and mosaics.
IAH significantly contributes to the local economy, generating over $30 billion annually and supporting approximately 200,000 jobs. The airport is currently undergoing a $1.3 billion capital improvement program, the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), which includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT).
The Denver Airport's Floors: A Comprehensive Guide to Levels
You may want to see also
HOU is the only operating base for Southwest Airlines in Houston
Houston has two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). William P. Hobby Airport is the only operating base for Southwest Airlines in Houston.
Southwest Airlines is a major airline in the United States that operates on a low-cost carrier model and exclusively uses Boeing 737 jets. The airline was founded in 1967 as a Texas intrastate airline and started operating from Dallas Love Field, which remains its corporate headquarters and major operating base.
In 1971, Southwest Airlines began offering nonstop service between Houston and Dallas. Initially, all Houston airline service was moved to Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport), but Southwest Airlines later reopened the Hobby terminal, as it was closer to downtown and more convenient for passengers travelling from Dallas, who at that point accounted for more than half of customers.
William P. Hobby Airport is located about 7 miles south of downtown Houston and offers various transport options. Hobby Airport serves domestic and international destinations and has seen significant increases in passenger numbers in recent years, with 14.5 million travellers in 2018.
Houston is the fourth-largest airport system in the country and serves over 180 cities worldwide.
Dubai Airport: Watch Deals and Discounts
You may want to see also
IAH has five terminals
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located around 22-24 miles from Downtown Houston. It is one of the largest airports in Houston, with five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) that service 26 domestic and international airlines. All five terminals are connected by an automated people-mover and underground train, with a total travel time of around 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
Each terminal caters to different airlines and destinations. Terminals A, B, and C are used for domestic flights, while Terminals D and E are used for international flights. Terminal A is primarily used by non-United domestic carriers and has 20 gates. Terminal B is used for United Express flights and has 30 gates. Terminal C is for United domestic flights and has 29 gates. Terminal D is used for non-United international flights and has 18 gates, while Terminal E is used for United international flights and has 24 gates.
The airport offers a wide range of amenities, including dining, shopping, and entertainment options. There are various dining options available across all terminals, ensuring travellers have a variety of choices during their layover. Additionally, IAH boasts an extensive art collection, with sculptures, photographs, and mosaics by Texas-based artists displayed throughout the terminals.
IAH also provides easy access to ground transportation options. The Metropolitan Transit Authority offers bus services, including the 102 Bush IAH Express, which serves the airport and downtown locations. Rental car agencies, ride-sharing apps, and taxis are also available for travellers to reach their desired destinations.
Arriving Early: Navigating Airport Timings with Ease
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 22-23 miles north of downtown Houston.
William P. Hobby Airport is located about 7-11 miles south of downtown Houston.
You can travel to George Bush Intercontinental Airport from Houston by car, bus, or train.