George Bush Airport: A Pleasant Surprise For Travelers

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is a large and busy airport with a range of amenities and efficient transportation options. It has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) serving domestic and international flights, with various dining, shopping, and lounge options available. The airport is well-connected, with an automated people mover and underground train system providing easy access between terminals. IAH offers convenient ground transportation, including rental cars, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and the Houston METRO bus, making it easy for passengers to get to and from downtown Houston and other areas. With efficient connections, modern facilities, and a variety of services, George Bush Intercontinental Airport provides a pleasant travel experience for its millions of annual passengers.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport's ranking

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, is a large airport with scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents. It is the busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic and the second-busiest airport in Texas as of 2021. In 2022, it was the 15th busiest airport in the United States for total passenger traffic.

In the World Airport Awards, George Bush Intercontinental Airport was ranked as the best airport in the United States and the second-best in North America.

The airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) and covers 10,000 acres of land. It has five runways and 121 total gates. The Skyway automated people mover system provides airside connections between all five terminals. The airport also has an on-site hotel, a Marriott, between Terminals B and C.

The airport has a variety of dining, shopping, and lounge options for travellers. It also provides efficient ground transportation options, including rental cars, ride-shares, shuttles, and the Houston METRO bus, which provide easy access to downtown Houston and surrounding areas.

Terminals and amenities

George Bush Intercontinental Airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) that cater to both domestic and international flights. Terminals A, B, and C primarily operate domestic flights, but Spirit Airlines has international departures from Terminal A. Terminals D and E operate domestic and international flights.

Terminal A has 20 gates in total, with 18 in the north concourse and 11 in the south concourse. The north concourse serves gates A1, A2, and A3A to A3H, while the south concourse serves gates A17 to A20 and A24 to A30. There are security checkpoints at the north and south ends of the terminal, and the north concourse has a United Club.

Terminal B has 39 gates in total, with 30 in the south concourse and 9 in the north concourse. The south concourse serves gates B1 to B12 and B14 to B31, while the north concourse serves gates B76/A, B77/A, B79/A, B80, B81/A, B83/A, B85A/B, B87, and B88. There is one security checkpoint in Terminal B, and the south concourse has an Admirals Club.

Terminal C has 40 gates in total, with 29 in the north concourse and 16 in the south concourse. The north concourse serves gates C1 to C12, C14, and C15, while the south concourse serves gates C29 to C37 and C39 to C45. There is a United Club lounge in both the north and south concourses, along with a range of shops and restaurants.

Terminal D is the main international terminal, serving flights with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways. It has 12 gates, numbered D7 to D12, D14 to D17, D18A, and D18B. Terminal D has a small selection of shops and restaurants, including duty-free shopping. It shares its arrival level with Terminal E for baggage claim and ground transportation.

Terminal E is operated exclusively by United Airlines for domestic and international flights. It has 23 gates, numbered E1 to E12 and E14 to E24. Terminal E has a United Club and United Polaris Lounge, along with a range of restaurants and shops, including duty-free options.

The airport offers efficient ground transportation options, including rental cars, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and the Houston METRO bus, providing easy access to downtown Houston and surrounding areas.

The airport also provides various amenities for travellers, such as nursing rooms, family restrooms, pet relief areas, chapels, ATMs, and currency exchange centres. There are also several duty-free shops and designated smoking areas located throughout the airport.

Transportation to and from the airport

Transportation to and from George Bush Intercontinental Airport

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 20 to 23 miles north of downtown Houston, Texas. The airport is accessible by road from the east or south via the Hardy Toll Road expressway, Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (Eastex Freeway), and Interstate 45 (North Freeway).

By Car

The airport has parking options available, including terminal parking at Terminals A, B, and C, and two ecopark parking lots that are further away from the terminals.

By Bus

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) offers local bus services to and from the airport. The METRO Bus 102 travels between the airport and downtown Houston, with a fare of $1.25. The journey takes around 50 to 90 minutes.

For passengers wishing to travel between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), they can take the METRO Bus 102 downtown and then transfer to the METRO Bus 40 (eastbound/southbound). The total fare for this trip is $2.50.

Other bus transportation options include shuttle services to Beaumont/Port Arthur, College Station, and Galveston, Texas.

By Train

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is one of the few U.S. airports that have a passenger train inside and outside of the secure area, making terminal connections quick and easy. The Skyway is an above-ground train that runs between all terminals inside the secure area, while the subway train runs below ground outside of the secure area.

Dining options

George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers a wide variety of quality food options, from beloved local concepts to celebrity chef restaurants.

Terminal A

The Breakfast Klub is a great spot for breakfast and brunch, serving wings and grits, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles, breakfast sandwiches and omelets.

For burgers and brews, Hubcap Grill offers meaty, super-sized burgers, twice-fried loaded fries, chicken sandwiches, wedge salads, and craft beer.

If you're craving pizza, Blaze Pizza has you covered.

For Tex-Mex classics, including fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas, try Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar.

Other options in Terminal A include Chick-Fil-A, First Glass Bistro & Bar, Great American Bagel, Jack In The Box, Liquid Provisions, Starbucks, and Which Wich.

Terminal B

For fresh juices and cocktails, head to The Fruteria Bontenaro.

Other options in Terminal B include Shipley's Do-nuts, a fried chicken joint, a pizzeria, and Which Wich.

Terminal C

For barbecue and beyond, Q Bar is the place to go. Their menu includes Texas barbeque staples such as brisket, ribs, and sausage, all smoked on-site. They also offer a hearty breakfast selection with waffles, biscuits, burritos, and breakfast sandwiches.

For seafood, 3rd Bar Eating House offers shrimp po' boys, oysters, breakfast items, sliders, fresh fish, and salads. They also have a full bar and a nice wine list.

If you're craving beer, SugarLand Beer Garden offers a variety of bottled and tap beers, along with traditional Bavarian bites like fresh salads, handmade pretzels, and sausages.

Bam Bam is a Vietnamese-Korean-Cajun restaurant serving grilled and raw oysters, Vietnamese-Cajun boils, Po-boys, and a selection of rotating local and regional beers.

For Italian food and Neapolitan pizza, Pala is the place to go.

El Premio Tex-Mex Bar & Grill is a great option if you're looking for a darker, more atmospheric space. They serve a variety of Tex-Mex dishes, including burgers drenched in queso.

Other options in Terminal C include American Craft Tavern, Cafe Adobe, Chick-Fil-A, Freshii, Hard Rock Cafe, Jason's Deli, Olio, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Pink's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Poppy's Bagels, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Ray's Fish and Shrimp Stack, Smashburger, Starbucks, and Which Wich.

Terminal D

Hugo's Cocina, brought to you by acclaimed chef Hugo Ortega, offers scratch-made traditional dishes from various regions of Mexico, along with a wide variety of cocktails, beers, wines, mezcal, and tequila.

Other options in Terminal D include Byte: Fresh Grab and Go, and Zephyr Lounge.

Terminal E

For barbecue, Q is a great option. Developed by Chef Greg Gatlin, their menu includes Texas barbeque staples such as brisket, ribs, and Texas sausage.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen is another popular choice, offering a variety of seafood dishes, including alligator bites and loaded gumbo.

For Tex-Mex, try Pappasito's Cantina. Their menu includes sizzling beef fajitas, chicken tinga enchiladas, and a tres leches milkshake for those with a sweet tooth.

Mockingbird Distillery & Smokehouse, from the distillers of Tito's Handmade Vodka, serves cocktails alongside dishes like soft pretzels, chicken fried chicken, and pulled pork sandwiches.

Other options in Terminal E include Agave Taqueria, Alchemy Craft Cocktail, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Custom Burgers, Dunkin' Donuts, Einstein Bros. Bagels, El Premio Tex-Mex Bar & Grill, Forno Magico, H Burger Bar, Houston Wheelhouse, Katz Coffee & Bistro, Landry's Seafood, Livefire Burger, Panda Express, Pappasito's Cantina, Pick Up Stix, Schlotzsky's Deli, Steak n' Shake, Tanglewood Grille, Wendy's, Whataburger, World Nectar, and Yume.

Lounges

George Bush Intercontinental Airport features 12 lounges, including United Club locations, the American Airlines Admirals Club, and the Centurion Lounge.

American Airlines Admirals Club

The American Airlines Admirals Club is located in Terminal A, near gate A25. It is open daily from 4:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Amenities include conference rooms (for a fee), newspapers, magazines, premium food and drinks for purchase, and seating with built-in power outlets. Day pass holders can be accompanied by up to three children under 18, but they must all hold a valid same-day boarding card. All passengers must have a same-day boarding card for American Airlines or a partner airline.

United Club Lounges

There are five United Club Lounges at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with an additional location projected to open in 2025. They are located in:

• Terminal A, across from gate A9: Open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Terminal B, south mezzanine, above the United Express ticket desk: Open from 5 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. (Temporarily closed until further notice)
• Terminal C, near gate C1: Open from 5.30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• Terminal C, near gate C33: Open from 5.30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• Terminal E, between gates E11 and E12: Open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Amenities include a bar serving soft and alcoholic drinks, a children’s area (Concourse E lounge), newspapers, and magazines. United Club members have unlimited access to United Club lounges with a same-day boarding card and may bring up to two guests.

British Airways Lounge

The British Airways Lounge is located in Terminal D, near gate D9. It is open daily from 5:45 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Amenities include newspapers, magazines, a self-serve bar with champagne, and snacks and hot and cold buffet food. Access is available to passengers with a same-day boarding card, who may bring one guest. Passengers and guests must be flying on scheduled flights operated by British Airways or a Oneworld partner.

Air France Lounge

The Air France Lounge is located in Terminal D, opposite gate D12. It is open daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Amenities include newspapers, magazines, self-serve snacks, soups, salads, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks, and a VIP area for La Première members. Access is available to passengers with a same-day boarding card for an international Air France, KLM, or SkyTeam flight. Guests may purchase a day pass, and passengers may bring one guest.

KLM Crown Lounge

The KLM Crown Lounge is located in Terminal D, near gate D8. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Amenities include luggage storage, newspapers, magazines, self-serve soft and alcoholic drinks, snacks, and sandwiches. Access is available to passengers with a same-day boarding card for any airline. Passes can be purchased at the lounge reception, subject to capacity. Passengers may access the lounge for a maximum of three hours, and cardholders must be 21 or older. Children under two are admitted free of charge.

Centurion Lounge

The Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal D, on the Mezzanine level, near gate D12. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Amenities include a self-serve buffet with hot and cold dishes, showers with toiletries, a full premium bar, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Access is complimentary for American Express Platinum Card or Centurion Members. Passengers with a same-day boarding card may bring guests for $50 per adult or $30 per child (ages 2-17). Cardholders get complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases per year. Additional guest passes may be purchased for $50 per person.

Frequently asked questions