Ruth Haines
Houston, Texas is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the second busiest airport in Texas for international passenger traffic as of 2025, and was the first airport in Texas to receive A380 service. William P. Hobby Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller, city airport that serves domestic destinations and is located much closer to downtown Houston.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| Former name | Houston Intercontinental Airport |
| Renamed in honour of | George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston |
| Common names | Houston International Airport, George Bush International Airport |
| Location | 23 miles north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59 |
| Direct access | Hardy Toll Road expressway |
| Number of runways | 5 |
| Area covered | 10,000 acres |
| Number of terminals | 5 |
| Airlines serving the airport | AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines |
| Number of non-stop destinations | 185 |
| Facilities | Wi-Fi, retail stores, more than 50 food and beverage outlets, visitor information centres, currency exchange booths, and ADA amenities |
| Art installations | Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings", Terry Allen's "Countree Music", Leamon Green's "Passing Through" |
| Other airports in Houston, Texas | William P. Hobby Airport, Ellington Airport, Houston Spaceport |
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What You'll Learn
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, the airport was renamed in 1997 to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a Houston resident. It is also commonly referred to as Houston International Airport or George Bush International Airport.
The airport serves as a major hub for United Airlines, offering both domestic and international flights. It provides scheduled services to a wide range of domestic and international destinations, covering five continents. In 2017, IAH became the first airport in North America to offer nonstop flights to every inhabited continent. The airport is also a base for other major airlines, including Lufthansa and Emirates, which operate A380 services to Houston.
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William P. Hobby Airport
Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. This answer will focus on William P. Hobby Airport.
Hobby Airport has a range of amenities for travellers, including Wi-Fi, retail stores, and more than 15 food and beverage outlets. The airport also has an original art deco terminal building, which was the first passenger airline terminal in Houston. This terminal now houses the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.
In recent years, Hobby Airport has undergone expansion and modernisation projects. In 2013, construction began on a terminal expansion to accommodate larger aircraft, including the addition of five new gates. The expansion also included a new parking garage and improvements to the security checkpoint and check-in counters. In 2022, Hobby Airport became the first 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax.
Hobby Airport also prioritises accessibility and inclusivity. They offer a program called Wings for All, which provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a structured environment to familiarise themselves with the airport and strengthen disability competency among aviation professionals.
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Transportation options to and from the airport
Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Here are some transportation options to and from these airports:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston. Transportation options to and from the airport include:
- Private car services: Companies like GO Airport Shuttle offer private car services to and from the airport, including sedans, SUVs, and vans. These services provide upfront pricing and reliable, on-time rides.
- Taxis: Taxis are readily available outside the baggage claim area, offering transportation to various destinations in Houston.
- Public buses: The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, or METRO, offers bus services to and from the airport. The Route 102 bus serves the airport and downtown locations, with a fare of $1.25. Route 500, with a fare of $4.50, operates non-stop between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Terminal C at the airport.
- Shuttle buses: Previously, there were shuttle bus services provided by Taiwanese airlines, connecting the airport to various locations in Houston.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
William P. Hobby Airport is a smaller, domestic airport located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston. Here are some transportation options:
- Courtesy vans: Various hotels and lodgings offer courtesy vans for transportation to and from the airport. You can request a pick-up using the courtesy telephones in the baggage claim area.
- Public buses: The airport is served by public bus routes, providing connections to downtown and other locations.
- Taxis: Taxi services are available outside the baggage claim area, offering transportation to downtown Houston and other areas. Fares vary depending on the destination.
Additional Transportation Options
In addition to the above options, here are some alternative ways to get to and from the airports:
- Rental cars: Houston is well-connected by highways, making it convenient to drive. Renting a car can be a viable option for those who prefer more flexibility and privacy.
- Ride-sharing services: Ride-sharing services like Uber are commonly used by travellers and locals in Houston to get to and from the airports.
- Train: Houston is served by Amtrak, with routes connecting to various destinations. The Sunset Limited route, for example, runs from New Orleans, LA, to Los Angeles, CA, with a stop in Houston.
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Airlines that use the airport
Houston, Texas is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Together, they form the fourth-largest airport system in the country.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the larger of the two airports, covering 10,000 acres of land with five runways and five terminals. The airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston and is accessible via Interstate 45 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59. It is one of the largest passenger hubs for United Airlines, which operates United Club locations and international flights from Terminal E. The airport also previously served as a hub for Continental Airlines and Texas International Airlines.
A wide range of airlines serve George Bush Intercontinental Airport, including:
- Lufthansa: operates flights to Frankfurt, Germany, and has previously used Airbus A380 aircraft on this route.
- Emirates: operates A380 flights to Dubai.
- Air New Zealand: contributed to the airport becoming the first in North America to have nonstop flights to every inhabited continent in 2017.
- Ethiopian Airlines: launched service to Lomé, Togo, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2019, restoring the airport's status as the first in North America to have nonstop flights to every inhabited continent.
- United Airlines: launched flights from Houston to Sydney, Australia, in 2017, which is currently the airline's longest nonstop route at 8,596 miles (13,834 km).
- EVA Air: operates a shuttle bus service from Bush IAH to Richardson in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
- China Airlines: previously provided a shuttle bus service to Sugar Land and the Southwest Houston Chinatown until 2008.
William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport is a smaller, domestic airport located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston. It is a hub for Southwest Airlines and is considered a more convenient option for travellers due to its proximity to the city. The airport offers various transport options, including taxi services available outside the baggage claim area.
Airlines serving William P. Hobby Airport include:
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
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Amenities available at the airport
Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Amenities available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) and is located 22-23 miles from Downtown Houston. The airport offers the following amenities:
- Free airport WiFi
- Mobile charging points (Rapid Charger Machines, Fuel Rod chargers, and USB ports)
- Vending machines
- Lounges
- A nursery with a crib, rocking chair, and private washroom
- Information desks and interactive visitor kiosks
- Massage chairs
- Two chapels
- Retail stores
- More than 50 food and beverage outlets
- A hotel connected to all terminals via the Subway
Amenities available at William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport is located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston. The airport offers the following amenities:
- Wi-Fi internet
- Retail stores
- More than 15 food and beverage outlets
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Frequently asked questions
Houston, Texas has two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located about 21 to 23 miles north of Downtown Houston.
William P. Hobby Airport is located about 7 to 15 miles south of Downtown Houston.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the largest airport in Houston, covering 10,000 acres of land.
