IAHKIAHNormal

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Houston, United States · North America

Solid United hub with good lounges but sprawling layout and variable security.

Airportist Score

7.2/ 10

Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.

Passengers

50M+

Average security

22 min

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km.

All airports

IAHKIAHNormal25°C / 77°F

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Houston, United States · North America

Solid United hub with good lounges but sprawling layout and variable security.

Airportist Score

7.2/ 10

Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.

Passengers

50M+

Average security

22 min

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

12 photos

The interior of Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Harris County, Texas

A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 taxiing to gate C1 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Harris County, Texas

A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 at gate C1 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Harris County, Texas

Bird spikes near gate C1 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Harris County, Texas

Chips and salsa and a Margarita at Vida Taqueria, Terminal C, George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Margarita at Vida Taqueria, Terminal C, George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Gemini scale model from the NASA exhibits at Terminal D at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

IAH - George Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal E

The sign indicating Lewis W. Cutrer Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 2 hours early for domestic

Security averages 15-30 min; add buffer for Terminal D international.

Peak mornings and evenings see longer lines at A/C.

Terminal

Use the train for connections

Subway train links all terminals landside; airside connections via moving walkways in C/E.

Avoid walking between A and E without the train.

Food

Grab at Terminal C before security

Better variety landside; airside options limited to chains.

United Clubs provide free snacks if eligible.

Status

United Gold gets Club access

Star Alliance Gold or United Club card unlocks multiple locations.

Centurion requires Amex Platinum and 3-hour rule for non-layovers.

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km.

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:29 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 08:29 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 2 hours early for domestic

Security averages 15-30 min; add buffer for Terminal D international.

Peak mornings and evenings see longer lines at A/C.

Terminal

Use the train for connections

Subway train links all terminals landside; airside connections via moving walkways in C/E.

Avoid walking between A and E without the train.

Food

Grab at Terminal C before security

Better variety landside; airside options limited to chains.

United Clubs provide free snacks if eligible.

Status

United Gold gets Club access

Star Alliance Gold or United Club card unlocks multiple locations.

Centurion requires Amex Platinum and 3-hour rule for non-layovers.

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:29 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 08:29 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:29 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 08:29 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges

IAHGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:29 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 08:29 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for IAH.

Updated Sep 1, 2026

5 terminals (A-E) linked airside by Skyway (~every 2 min) and landside by Subway
United Airlines primary hub
Terminal D for most international flights
Amex Centurion Lounge in D
METRO bus 102 to downtown for $1.25

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.3

Navigation6.8

Food7.0

Transport8.0

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

50M+

Terminals

5 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

22 min

Best For

United connectionsLounge accessAffordable public transit

Watch Out For

Terminal sprawlPeak security linesLimited non-United lounges