Roberta Aguirre
Houston has two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, with more than 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers in 2015. The airport is located about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston and offers scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations. William P. Hobby Airport, on the other hand, is a founding member of the Star Alliance and offers a handful of international flight options. While there were reports of a flooded Houston airport, these were revealed to be mock-up images depicting New York City's LaGuardia Airport.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located 23 miles north of Downtown Houston
- William P. Hobby Airport is one of Houston's two major airports
- Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston
- IAH is the airport code for George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Houston Airport System is the 4th largest airport system in the country
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located 23 miles north of Downtown Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, also known as IAH or Houston Airport, is located 23 miles north of Downtown Houston. It is one of the two major airports in Houston, the other being William P. Hobby Airport. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, with more than 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers in 2015. The airport covers 10,000 acres of land and has five runways.
The airport is named after George Bush, the 41st President of the United States, who also served as a naval aviator during World War II. The airport has been serving Houston and the surrounding areas since the 1960s. It has undergone various renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate the growing number of passengers and flights.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers a wide range of services and amenities to enhance the travel experience. The airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) that are connected by an automated people mover and underground train. All terminals provide access to essential services such as ATMs, baggage carts, and information booths. Terminals also feature unique facilities, such as private nursing rooms in Terminal A and a nursery with a baby crib and rocking chair in Terminal D.
The airport is a major hub for United Airlines, which has a significant presence there. It also serves as a gateway to numerous international and domestic destinations, with scheduled flights to five continents. In 2017, the airport became the first in North America to offer nonstop flights to every inhabited continent. Additionally, the airport provides easy access to downtown Houston and other areas through various transportation options, including rental cars, taxis, ride-sharing services, and public buses.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is committed to accessibility and provides various services for travellers with disabilities. These services include automated external defibrillators for cardiac emergencies and accessible facilities throughout the airport. The airport also features an interfaith chapel, currency exchange services, and a variety of dining and retail options.
Starbucks at Atlanta Airport: Where to Find Them
You may want to see also
Explore related products
William P. Hobby Airport is one of Houston's two major airports
William P. Hobby Airport, on the other hand, is located in Houston and is often referred to as Hobby Airport or HOU. While Hobby Airport offers a handful of international options, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the preferred choice for flyers looking for a wider range of international flights.
Both airports are part of the Houston Airport System, which is the fourth-largest airport system in the country. The system serves over 180 cities worldwide, with more than 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers passing through its gates in 2015.
In terms of transportation options, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is accessible via ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber, with estimated fares ranging from $26 to $30 to downtown Houston. Taxi rides from the airport to downtown can cost closer to $60, excluding gratuity. Shared shuttle services, such as SuperShuttle, are also available for around $23 one-way or $44 round trip. Additionally, the METRO Bus provides a more affordable option, with fares as low as $1.25, but travel times can vary from 60 to 90 minutes.
William P. Hobby Airport has also experienced flooding in the past. During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, a dramatic image circulated online, purportedly showing the airport underwater. However, it was later revealed to be a mock-up depicting New York City's LaGuardia Airport.
Philadelphia Airport Customs: Slow and Steady?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston
Houston has many airports, including David Wayne Hooks Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Bush Intercontinental Airport. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and its airport system is also the fourth-largest in the country.
Bush Intercontinental Airport, also known as George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is the largest airport in Houston. It is ranked third in the United States for airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and international services. The airport has more than 700 daily departures and served 43 million domestic passengers in 2015. All five terminals are connected by an automated people mover and underground train. The airport offers various amenities and services to enhance the travel experience, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, food and beverage outlets, automated external defibrillators, baggage carts, ATMs, chapels, private nursing rooms, baby changing tables, a nursery, service animal relief areas, and a US mailbox.
The history of Bush Intercontinental Airport dates back to 1957 when the Civil Aeronautics Administration recommended that Houston find a new airport site to relieve congestion at Houston International (now William P. Hobby Airport). A group of businessmen and civic leaders, under the Jetero Ranch Company, acquired nearly 3,000 acres of land 16 miles north of downtown Houston. In 1961, the land was purchased, and planning began for a 6,000-acre, $125 million airport. The airport, initially named Jetero Intercontinental Airport, opened as scheduled in 1966.
Exploring Worcester Airport: Gates and More
You may want to see also
Explore related products
IAH is the airport code for George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, also known as Houston International Airport or Houston Airport, is assigned the airport code IAH. Located in Houston, Texas, the airport is about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston, between Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59. It is the largest airport in Houston, with over 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers in 2015. The airport has five terminals, all connected by an automated people mover and underground train.
IAH is the 15th busiest airport in the United States and the second busiest in Texas as of 2021. It serves the Greater Houston metropolitan area and offers scheduled flights to numerous domestic and international destinations covering five continents. The airport initially opened in 1969 as Houston Intercontinental Airport and was renamed in 1997 to honour George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident.
The airport provides a range of services and amenities, including currency exchange, ATMs, baggage carts, private nursing rooms, and family restrooms with baby changing tables. Additionally, IAH offers a mobile app to help travellers navigate to their gates and find other important locations within the airport. The airport also features various works of art, such as Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings," a multicoloured glass sculpture in Terminal A, and Terry Allen's "Countree Music," a cast bronze tree in Terminal A South Concourse.
In 2020, George Bush Intercontinental Airport embarked on a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The project includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal and the refurbishment of Terminal D. The improvements aim to enhance the airport's capacity and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.
Melbourne Airport Showers: Availability and Accessibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Houston Airport System is the 4th largest airport system in the country
The Houston Airport System is the 4th largest airport system in the United States. It serves over 180 cities worldwide, with non-stop flights to 117 domestic and 67 international destinations. The system is comprised of two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Bush Intercontinental is the largest airport in Houston, with more than 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers in 2015. The airport has five terminals, all connected by an automated people mover and underground train. IAH offers a range of amenities and services to enhance the travel experience, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, food and beverage outlets, currency exchange, and ADA-compliant facilities. It also provides accessibility features for travellers with disabilities, such as automated external defibrillators and airport information booths.
William P. Hobby Airport, located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston, has also seen significant growth in passenger numbers, reaching 14.5 million travellers in 2018. Hobby Airport offers similar conveniences to IAH, including Wi-Fi, retail and dining options, and accessibility features. Both IAH and HOU have been recognised for their service quality, receiving 4-star ratings from Skytrax, a global air transport rating organisation.
The Houston Airport System handled over 59.7 million passengers in 2019, a 2.5% increase from the previous year. In addition to passenger traffic, the system also facilitates a significant amount of air freight, with over 530,000 metric tons moving through its gates in 2019. The system is served by 34 airlines providing scheduled passenger service, including major international carriers such as AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, and Emirates.
Overall, the Houston Airport System plays a crucial role in connecting the city to the rest of the world, offering convenient and efficient travel options to both domestic and international destinations. With its high passenger volume, modern amenities, and focus on service quality, the system contributes significantly to the region's economic development and tourism industry.
Airport Movies: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Houston Airport is not on the water. However, in 2017, a fake image of a flooded Houston Airport circulated on social media. The image was a mock-up depicting New York City's LaGuardia Airport.
Houston has two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
The Houston Airport System is the fourth-largest airport system in the country. Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, serving over 43 million domestic passengers in 2015.
The Houston Airport System offers a variety of services and amenities, including airport chapels, private nursing rooms, baggage carts, ATMs, Wi-Fi, retail stores, and food and beverage outlets.
Several airlines operate from Houston Airport, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
