Houston's Iah Airport: What's In A Name?

what does iah airport stand for

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, it was later renamed in honour of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. The airport's IATA code, IAH, is derived from the stylisation of the airport's original name as Intercontinental Airport of Houston.

shunhotel

The IATA code IAH is derived from the stylization of the airport's name as Intercontinental Airport of Houston

The IATA code IAH for George Bush Intercontinental Airport is derived from the stylization of the airport's name as "Intercontinental Airport of Houston". The airport, located about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston, is the second-busiest airport in Texas and 15th busiest in the United States for total passenger traffic.

The airport was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969. It was later renamed in 1997 to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a resident of Houston. The IATA code IAH is a reflection of this original name, with the "IA" standing for "Intercontinental Airport" and the "H" representing Houston.

The IATA, or International Air Transport Association, has a system for assigning airport codes that aims to create codes with some resemblance to the city or airport name. However, this is not always possible, and codes can be changed to avoid confusion with other airports. For example, Dulles International Airport was originally supposed to be assigned the code DIA but was changed to IAD to avoid confusion with Denver International Airport (DIA).

George Bush Intercontinental Airport covers 10,000 acres of land and has five runways. It is a major hub for United Airlines and offers a wide range of domestic and international destinations. The airport has five terminals, with Terminal D serving as the arrival point for all non-United international flights.

The airport has a rich history, with Houston businessmen purchasing the site in 1957 to preserve it for future development. The city of Houston annexed the area in 1965, and upon its opening in 1969, all scheduled passenger flights were moved from the previous Houston International Airport (now William P. Hobby Airport) to the new Intercontinental Airport.

shunhotel

The airport was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969

The airport was built to replace William P. Hobby Airport, which was known as Houston International Airport at the time. A group of Houston businessmen purchased the site for Bush Intercontinental Airport in 1957 to preserve it until the city of Houston could formulate a plan for a new airport. The City of Houston annexed the Intercontinental Airport area in 1965, and the airport opened in June 1969. All scheduled passenger airline service that had been operating from William P. Hobby Airport moved to Intercontinental Airport upon its completion.

In 1997, Houston Intercontinental Airport was renamed to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States.

shunhotel

The airport is located about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston, between Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59. The airport is accessible from Beltway 8 or Will Clayton Parkway via Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (Eastex Freeway). Alternatively, travellers can take Interstate 45 (North Freeway) and connect to Beltway 8. The airport can also be reached via the Hardy Toll Road, which has an exit from the north or south.

Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority, or METRO, provides bus services to George Bush Intercontinental Airport from the south side of Terminal C. The 102 Bush IAH Express travels from the airport to downtown Houston. Previously, an express bus service called Airport Direct travelled from downtown Houston to Terminal C, but this was discontinued in 2011.

IAH covers 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land and has five runways. It is one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines and was also a hub for Continental Airlines and Texas International Airlines. The airport has five terminals and 121 total gates, with an on-site Marriott hotel accessible via the landside inter-terminal train.

The IATA code IAH is derived from the stylization of the airport's original name, "Intercontinental Airport of Houston". The airport was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, but was renamed in 1997 after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston.

shunhotel

In 1997, the airport was renamed after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States

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

The airport's IATA code of IAH is derived from the stylization of the airport's original name as "Intercontinental Airport of Houston." The IATA historically tried to assign airport codes that resembled the city or airport name.

In the late 1980s, the Houston City Council considered renaming the airport after Mickey Leland, an African-American U.S. congressman who died in an aviation accident in Ethiopia. Instead, the city named the international arrivals building after him.

In April 1997, the Houston City Council unanimously voted to rename the airport after Bush. The name change took effect on May 2, 1997.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston and covers 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land. It has five runways and is the busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic. It is also one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines. The airport has five terminals and 121 total gates, with an automated people mover system providing airside connections between all five terminals.

shunhotel

The airport is one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines. The airport is the second-busiest in Texas and the 15th busiest in the US for total passenger traffic.

United Airlines has a strong presence at IAH, with dedicated facilities for its passengers. Terminal C is used for United domestic flights and has 29 gates, while Terminal E is used for United international flights and has 24 gates.

United has also announced growth plans for IAH, including a $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B, a new United Club location, and an early bag storage facility.

The airline offers nonstop flights to five continents from IAH, with destinations including Sydney, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Bogota.

IAH covers 10,000 acres of land and has five runways. The airport consists of five terminals and 121 total gates, with an automated people mover system providing airside connections between them.

Frequently asked questions

IAH stands for Intercontinental Airport Houston.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Houston wanted to emphasise that its new airport would be offering flights to Europe and not "only" within the Americas, as was the case with a lot of international US airports.

The airport opened in June 1969.

The airport was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport upon its opening 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.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment