From Entry to Exit: An All-in-One Guide to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

When you are about to travel to Houston or even going to another country, you are likely to fly through George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and a major hub of domestic and international flights, located only 23 miles north of downtown Houston.

Opened in 1969 as the Houston Intercontinental Airport and renamed in 1997 in honor of former President of the United States George H. W. Bush, it has become one of the busiest airports in the United States. It occupies 10,000 acres of land, has five runways, and receives millions of travelers annually. Over 48 million passengers were served in its terminals in 2024 alone (official numbers may differ).

Key Points of George Bush Intercontinental Airport 

• IATA/FAA LID Code: IAH / KIAH

• Location: Houston, Texas, United States (approximately 23 miles north of Downtown Houston)

• Ownership: Houston Airport System, which runs the City of Houston.

• Services: United Airlines hub. Operates domestic and international flights, cargo flights, charters, and private aviation. Numerous parking and ground transportation.

• Runways: There are five concrete runways, the longest runway being approximately 3,658 meters (12,001 feet).

• Altitude: 97 feet (30 meters) above mean sea level.

• Hours of Operation: 24/7 open for travelers.

• Rating: 4.2 stars based on 31,000+ reviews on Google Business Profile.

Distance of IAH to Major Airports in Houston

The following table displays the distance and the estimated drive time of the main airports in the region to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH):

(Source - Google Maps)

History of George Bush Intercontinental Airport

The history of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) goes way back to the 1950s. During this period, the air traffic in Houston was increasing rapidly and the city required a larger airport than the former William P. Hobby Airport. In 1957, a team of businessmen in Houston purchased land to the north of the city where the future airport would be located. It was initially referred to as the Jetero site because of a typing error of the company name, Jet Era Ranch. In the modern world, Will Clayton Parkway, formerly known as Jetero Boulevard, is one of the primary roads to the airport.

On June 8, 1969, the airport was opened, and it was named Houston Intercontinental Airport. It has five runways and has sufficient space, which soon turned it into a significant domestic and international flight center. Airlines such as American, Delta, Continental, and Texas International began to fly out of the new airport.

IAH also became more international in the 1970s and 1980s. Airlines like KLM, Air France, and British Caledonian launched flights to Europe, and Pan Am and Aeromexico enhanced their relationship with Mexico and Latin America. At this point, IAH had already established its reputation as an entry point to the world.

In 1997, the name of the airport was changed, and the Houston City Council voted to rename it in honor of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a longtime resident of Houston. It was henceforth referred to as George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

IAH has continued to expand over the years. The airport introduced new terminals, increased runways, and received some of the largest aircraft in the world, such as the Airbus A380. It had evolved into a worldwide center of United Airlines and one of the main U.S. airports of international connections by the 2000s.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminals 

(Source - IAH Airport)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has five terminals, namely A, B, C, D, and E, linked by the Skyway train (airside) and Subway (landside). The combination of them provides over 120 gates, sufficient food options, and a significant amount of shopping. Here’s a quick look:

Terminal A

• Flights: Used by airlines other than United for domestic flights in the U.S.

• Dining: Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Blaze Pizza, Panda Express.

• Shopping: Travel convenience stores, gift shops, and duty-free (limited).

Terminal B

• Flights: Dedicated to regional flights of United Express.

• Dining: Peet's Coffee, Whataburger, BBQ restaurants, and grab-and-go cafes.

• Shopping: Gift shops and newsstands with the Houston theme.

Terminal C 

• Flights: The main terminal for the domestic flights of United Airlines.

• Dining: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Panda Express, Dunkin, Chick-fil-A, and United Club lounges.

• Shopping: Brookstone, InMotion Entertainment, and Hudson News.

Terminal D

• Flights: International airlines served include Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.

• Dining: Wine bars, Mexican food, coffee shops, and fast food restaurants of international chains.

• Shopping: Duty-free, luxury brands, perfume, and cosmetics.

Terminal E 

• Flights: The long-haul international flights and international arrivals base of United Airlines.

• Dining: Gavi Italian, Panda Express, Starbucks, and the United Polaris Lounge, which is available to premium travelers.

• Shopping: Duty-free shops, travel equipment shops, books, and magazines.

Airport Transportation and Accessibility

It is easy to get to the IAH Airport using various ground modes of transport. Drivers may use Interstate 45, Interstate 69, or the Hardy Toll Road. In the case of public transit, the Houston METRO buses operate at the airport with the 102 Bush IAH Express and the new Route 500 Downtown Direct. There is also a wide range of taxis, rideshares, and personal shuttles.

Airlines and Destinations

George Bush International Airport is one of the global hubs, linking Houston with destinations on five continents.

• It is a significant base of United Airlines, which flies hundreds of flights a day out of IAH.

• Spirit Airlines has a crew base here, which further increases domestic travel options.

• Houston is linked with Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East by international airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.

IAH also became the first North American airport to have nonstop flights to all inhabited continents (except Africa). The United Houston-Sydney route is still one of the longest nonstop flights in the world.

Passenger Traffic and Cargo

George Bush Intercontinental is the second-busiest airport in Texas (after Dallas/Fort Worth International) with 447,000 aircraft operations in 2024. It is always in the list of the 20 best airports in the U.S. in terms of passengers.

The IAH is also significant in cargo operations, which contributes to the status of Houston as a business and trade hub in the world.

Why George Bush Intercontinental Airport?

• Broad domestic and international flight network.

• Easy accessibility via the United Airlines hub.

• Contemporary terminals that have shopping, restaurants, and lounges.

• Downtown Houston has the following public transport options.

• Traveler- and convenient on-site hotel services.

You are flying across Texas or the world, and you know you will be well-connected at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Conclusion

As you head on a trip within Texas or to a different country, the ease of having a number of flights to different destinations makes IAH one of the best airport areas for travel departures. Ports, modern terminals, shops, and various other ancillary services are available, and thus, the ease of travel from Houston is made available.

(Source - Wikipedia)