Lois Larson
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport, is a large airport in Houston, Texas, USA. It is the second-busiest airport in Texas and the 15th busiest in the United States. The airport has five terminals and 121 gates, with a variety of dining and art installations. It is currently undergoing a $1.3 billion capital improvement program, which includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Year of opening | 1969 |
| Year of renaming | 1997 |
| Distance from Downtown Houston | 23 miles (37 km) |
| Number of terminals | 5 |
| Number of gates | 121 |
| Number of international destinations | 5 continents |
| Ranking in Texas | 2nd busiest airport as of 2021 |
| Ranking in the United States | 15th busiest airport as of 2021 |
| Improvement program | $1.3 billion IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) |
| Improvement program completion date | Late 2024 or early 2025 |
| Number of new jobs added by Spirit Airlines | 500 |
| Starbucks availability | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The airport has five terminals and 121 gates
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston, Texas, is a large airport with an extensive network of terminals and gates. The airport is named after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, and serves the Greater Houston metropolitan area. With five terminals and 121 gates in total, the airport caters to a vast number of passengers and flights.
Each terminal at the airport has a designated purpose and serves different types of carriers and flights. Terminal A, with 20 gates, is primarily utilised by non-United domestic carriers. It offers a range of amenities, including dining options such as Starbucks, which provides premium coffees, iced beverages, and lunch items. Terminal A also boasts impressive artwork, including Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings," a multicolored glass sculpture, and Terry Allen's "Countree Music," a cast bronze tree that plays instrumental music.
Terminal B, with 30 gates, is dedicated to United Express flights. Terminal C, with 29 gates, caters to United domestic flights. These terminals provide convenient access to various services and facilities for passengers travelling on United and its affiliates.
Terminals D and E are specifically designed for international travel. Terminal D, with 18 gates, accommodates non-United international flights, while Terminal E, with 24 gates, serves United international flights and international arrivals. These terminals have access to an international arrivals facility, and Terminal D is equipped to support super jumbo jets, such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8.
The airport's vast size and multiple terminals are efficiently connected through the Skyway automated people mover system, which provides airside connections between all five terminals. Additionally, the Subway system facilitates landside connections between the terminals and the airport hotel. The airport's ongoing $1.3 billion capital improvement program, the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), aims to further enhance the airport's infrastructure, with plans to consolidate Terminals D and E into the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT).
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It is the 15th busiest airport in the US
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston, Texas, is one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States. Initially opened in 1969 as Houston Intercontinental Airport, it was renamed in 1997 to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident. The airport is situated approximately 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston, with easy access to Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59.
With five terminals and 121 gates, the airport offers a vast network of domestic and international flights, covering five continents. It is the busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic and was the second busiest airport in the state as of 2021. However, when compared to the entire United States, it ranks as the 15th busiest airport. This ranking is based on total passenger traffic, including both domestic and international travellers.
The airport's size and busy nature can be attributed to its role as a major hub for several airlines, including United Airlines, which operates a large number of flights from the airport. The airport's five terminals are well-equipped to handle the high volume of passengers. Terminal A, with 20 gates, is primarily used by non-United domestic carriers, while Terminal B, with 30 gates, caters to United Express flights. Terminal C, with 29 gates, is dedicated to United domestic flights, ensuring efficient management of United Airlines' operations. Terminals D and E, with 18 and 24 gates respectively, handle non-United and United international flights, including arrivals.
To enhance the airport's capacity and improve the overall experience for travellers, a $1.3 billion capital improvement programme, the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), was initiated in 2020. This project includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into a centralised terminal. The improvements also include the addition of a new concourse, Pier D West, and plans for future expansion with Central D and East D piers to accommodate growing passenger numbers. The full project is designed to handle up to 33 million international passengers annually, solidifying the airport's position as one of the busiest in the country.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is easily accessible from various parts of Houston and offers a range of transportation options for travellers. Scheduled bus and shuttle services, provided by carriers like Spirit Airlines, connect the airport to destinations such as NRG Park/NRG Astrodome, Downtown Houston, Uptown, Greenway Plaza, and the Texas Medical Center. Super Shuttle also provides shared van services from the airport to surrounding communities, ensuring convenient travel to and from the airport for both locals and visitors alike.
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It is 23 miles north of Downtown Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston. It is situated between Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59, with direct access to the Hardy Toll Road expressway. The airport is named after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. It was initially called Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969.
The airport serves the Greater Houston metropolitan area and offers scheduled flights to numerous domestic and international destinations across five continents. It is the busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic and the 15th busiest airport in the United States as of 2021. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has five terminals and 121 total gates. The Skyway automated people mover system connects all five terminals airside, while the Subway provides landside connections between the terminals and the airport hotel.
Terminals D and E have access to an international arrivals facility, with Terminal D capable of accommodating super jumbo jets such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8. Terminal A caters to non-United domestic carriers, Terminal B to United Express flights, Terminal C to United domestic flights, Terminal D to non-United international flights, and Terminal E to United international flights and international arrivals.
The airport provides various dining and beverage options, including Starbucks, which offers premium coffees, iced espresso drinks, Frappuccinos, and lunch items such as sandwiches, salads, and pastries. Additionally, art installations like Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings," a multicolored glass sculpture, and Terry Allen's "Countree Music," a cast bronze tree that plays instrumental music, can be found within the airport.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is easily accessible from Downtown Houston, and carriers provide scheduled bus and shuttle services to and from the airport. 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) to consolidate Terminals D and E. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
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It has a $1.3 billion improvement program underway
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, is undergoing a $1.3 billion improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The airport, which is the 15th busiest in the United States for total passenger traffic, services 27 passenger airlines and has the fifth-most international flights in the US. The improvement program is the largest capital development program that the city has invested in the airport since it opened in 1969.
The flagship project of this program is the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminal D and Terminal E into one centralised terminal, including a shared ticketing, departure, and arrival hall. Terminal D will be extensively refurbished, with a new concourse and the Pier D West being constructed. The ITRP is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
The ITRP is the single largest capital improvement project by Houston Airports. It includes the refresh of the existing Terminal D, which was completed in 2023, the expansion of Terminal D with a new D-West Pier, and a new International Central Processor, slated for the winter of 2024 and summer of 2025.
Future expansion plans call for a Central D and East D pier to be built as passenger numbers grow, with the full project being capable of handling 33 million enplaned international passengers annually. George Bush Intercontinental Airport currently has five terminals and 121 total gates. The Skyway automated people mover system provides airside connections between all five terminals.
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It has a variety of transfer and transportation options
George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers a range of transfer and transportation options for travellers. The airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston, with direct access to the Hardy Toll Road expressway.
The Skyway automated people mover system provides airside connections between all five terminals. The Subway offers landside connections between the five terminals and the airport hotel.
Several carriers provide scheduled bus and shuttle services to and from the airport. These services connect the airport to various locations, including NRG Park/NRG Astrodome, Downtown Houston, Uptown, Greenway Plaza, the Texas Medical Center, hotels in the Westchase and Energy Corridor business districts, the city of College Station, and William P. Hobby Airport. Super Shuttle, for example, uses shared vans to provide services from the airport to the surrounding communities.
The airport also has direct access to Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59, making it convenient for those who prefer to drive or take a taxi.
Additionally, the airport has a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). This program includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into one centralised terminal with shared ticketing, departure, and arrival halls. The improved terminal infrastructure will enhance the overall transfer and transportation experience for passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is big. It has five terminals, 121 gates, and covers a large area.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) with 121 total gates.
The airport currently handles a large number of passengers and has future expansion plans that will increase its capacity to 33 million enplaned international passengers annually.
