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George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. It is one of the two major airports in Houston, serving the Greater Houston metropolitan area. The airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston and covers 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land, with five runways and 121 total gates. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations, covering five continents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| Airport Code | IAH |
| City | Houston |
| State | Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Number of Runways | 5 |
| Longest Runway | 12,001 feet |
| Elevation | 97 feet |
| Website | www.fly2houston.com/iah |
| Number of Terminals | 5 |
| Airlines Served | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, and more |
| Location | 2800 N Terminal Rd, Houston, TX 77032, United States |
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What You'll Learn
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, it was renamed in 1997 in honour of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. It is also commonly called Houston International Airport or George Bush International Airport.
The airport has scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents. It became the first airport in North America to have nonstop flights to every inhabited continent in 2017, with the addition of Air New Zealand. In 2019, Ethiopian Airlines launched service to Lomé in Togo and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and United announced flights from Houston to Sydney, its longest nonstop route at 8,596 miles (13,834 km).
In 2020, the airport began a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), which includes the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT). The program should be complete by late 2024 or early 2025.
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IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH, ICAO: KIAH, FAA LID: IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. The airport is undergoing a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP).
The IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program is the largest expansion program in the airport's 53-year history. The program budget is approximately $1.458 billion and is anticipated to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025. The flagship project of this program is the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate today's Terminal D and Terminal E into one centralized terminal, including a shared ticketing, departure, and arrival hall. Terminal D will be extensively refurbished, with a new concourse, Pier D West, being constructed.
The ITRP supports the development of additional facilities needed to address ageing infrastructure and unprecedented international passenger growth at Bush Airport. The program will improve current and future roadway and curbside capacity constraints, expand the capacity of the baggage handling system, and accommodate continued international airline growth and larger, wide-body aircraft with six new gates.
United Airlines is creating a cutting-edge experience for travellers with the construction of 40 new gates, a new ticketing lobby, baggage claim experience, and streamlined security processing area. The new international terminal will be one of the newest and most modern international terminals in the U.S., with a seamless experience from curb to gate.
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Houston Airports art program
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is part of the Houston Airports system, which also includes Hobby Airport and HouSpaceport. IAH is about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston and is the second busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic.
The Houston Airports art program has been named the "World's Best Airport Art" by the Skytrax World Airport Awards for three consecutive years. The art program includes various installations and exhibits that aim to curate experiences and tell stories, enriching the travel hubs for passengers.
One notable installation is "Coastal Prairie Fiori" by Dale Chihuly, a renowned glass artist. The piece is made up of 537 colourful, hand-blown glass elements inspired by the famous wildflowers of the Texas coastal plains. It stretches over the 17-lane TSA screening area in the new International Central Processor (ICP), adding a sense of colour and adventure to the airport.
Another installation at IAH is "The Art of Artemis", displayed in Terminal E near Gate E10. This exhibit showcases a digital tribute from the Apollo missions to the Artemis missions, reminding travellers of Houston's role in space exploration. Terminal E is part of a $1.458 billion overhaul, the largest investment by Houston Airports since Bush Airport opened in June 1969.
In February 2025, Houston Airports installed two art cars in IAH and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) honouring Texas musician Stevie Ray Vaughan and Freddie Mercury, the late singer of Queen. These installations demonstrate Houston Airports' commitment to enhancing the travel experience through art and cultural exhibits.
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Airport location and transport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA: IAH), commonly called Houston International Airport or George Bush International Airport, is an international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Greater Houston metropolitan area. It is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59 with direct access to the Hardy Toll Road expressway. The airport covers 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land and has five runways and five terminals with 121 total gates.
Houston's two major airports form the 4th largest airport system in the country. Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, with more than 700 daily departures and 43 million domestic passengers passing through in 2015. It is the second busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic as of 2025.
IAH has scheduled flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations covering five continents. It became the first airport in North America to have nonstop flights to every inhabited continent in 2017, with the addition of Air New Zealand. However, it lost this status when Atlas Air ended its nonstop flight to Luanda. The airport regained this distinction in December 2019 when Ethiopian Airlines launched service to Lomé in Togo and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
To get to the airport from Downtown Houston, you can take Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (Eastex Freeway) to Beltway 8 or to Will Clayton Parkway and access the airport from either road. Alternatively, you can take Interstate 45 (North Freeway), connect to Beltway 8, and enter the airport from there. The Hardy Toll Road has an exit from the north or south to the airport.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, or METRO, offers bus services to the airport, with the 102 Bush IAH Express serving the airport and downtown locations. The bus runs daily from approximately 5 am until midnight. METRO previously operated an express bus service, Airport Direct, which travelled from Downtown Houston to Terminal C via the HOV lane of the Eastex Freeway (I-69)/(US 59).
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History of the airport
The airport in IAH is George Bush Intercontinental Airport, serving the city of Houston, Texas.
The airport we know today as George Bush Intercontinental Airport has a long and interesting history, dating back to the 1920s. It began life as Humble Airport, a small airfield owned by the Humble Oil and Refining Company (now ExxonMobil). This airfield was primarily used for corporate aircraft and included a single runway and a small hangar. In 1950, the city of Houston purchased the airfield, renaming it Houston International Airport. This marked the beginning of its transformation into a major aviation hub.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the airport underwent significant expansion. A new terminal building, designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei, was completed in 1969. This terminal, now known as Terminal A, featured a unique design with separate levels for arriving and departing passengers, a concept that was quite innovative at the time. The airport was also one of the first to introduce jet bridges, which allowed passengers to board and disembark aircraft without having to walk on the tarmac.
As the airport continued to grow, it was renamed Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969 to reflect its expanding international reach. This period also saw the construction of additional terminals and runways to accommodate the increasing air traffic. By the 1980s, the airport had established itself as a major hub for both domestic and international travel, with a wide range of airlines operating from its facilities.
In 1997, the airport was again renamed, this time to honor former President George H. W. Bush, who had strong ties to the Houston area. The official name change to George Bush Intercontinental Airport reflected the airport's significance as a major gateway to the region and a key player in international aviation.
Today, the airport continues to evolve, with recent expansions and renovations ensuring it remains a modern and efficient transportation hub. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is now one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving millions of passengers each year and offering non-stop flights to destinations worldwide. The airport's history is a testament to its enduring importance as a key aviation center, shaping both Houston's and the wider region's development and connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
IAH stands for George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, USA.
The airport first opened in 1969 as Houston Intercontinental Airport and was renamed in 1997 after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident.
You can take Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (Eastex Freeway) to Beltway 8 or Will Clayton Parkway. Alternatively, you can take Interstate 45 (North Freeway) to connect to Beltway 8.
