George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, identified by the IATA code IAH and ICAO code KIAH, is located in Harris County, Texas, approximately 37 kilometers north of downtown Houston. It functions as the primary international gateway for the Houston metropolitan area and the broader Gulf Coast region of the United States. The airport opened in 1969 under the name Houston Intercontinental Airport, taking over long-haul responsibilities from William P. Hobby Airport, and was renamed in 1997 to honor former U.S. President George H. W. Bush, who maintained strong ties to Houston. Operating continuously around the clock, IAH is one of the busiest airports in the United States by total operations and serves as a critical node connecting the American interior to destinations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Overview
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, identified by the IATA code IAH and ICAO code KIAH, is located in Harris County, Texas, approximately 37 kilometers north of downtown Houston. It functions as the primary international gateway for the Houston metropolitan area and the broader Gulf Coast region of the United States. The airport opened in 1969 under the name Houston Intercontinental Airport, taking over long-haul responsibilities from William P. Hobby Airport, and was renamed in 1997 to honor former U.S. President George H. W. Bush, who maintained strong ties to Houston. Operating continuously around the clock, IAH is one of the busiest airports in the United States by total operations and serves as a critical node connecting the American interior to destinations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
United Airlines maintains one of its largest hub operations at IAH, and the airport's route network reflects that dominance. United's presence here supports extensive connectivity across Latin America, the Caribbean, and transatlantic and transpacific corridors. Beyond United, a range of international carriers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia operate scheduled services into IAH, reflecting Houston's role as a global energy and commerce center. Several Mexican and Latin American carriers serve the airport regularly, consistent with the region's strong economic and cultural ties to those markets. Low-cost and regional operators also use IAH to connect Houston to secondary cities across North America, broadening the airport's reach beyond its primary long-haul function.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
IAH operates five passenger terminals designated A through E. Terminal D is the principal facility for international arrivals and customs processing, while Terminals B, C, and E primarily handle domestic and Latin American routes. Terminal A serves a mix of domestic and some international operations. The terminals are connected by an underground automated people mover and an elevated Skyway train system, allowing passengers to move between concourses without exiting the secure area in most cases. Travelers connecting between international and domestic flights should allow adequate time for customs clearance and re-screening, as processing times can vary depending on flight volumes and staffing. The airport's layout is spread across a substantial footprint, so familiarity with the terminal map before arrival is advisable.
Connections through IAH need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
George Bush Intercontinental Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports, compare IAH against nearby alternatives, total ground-transport cost and the reliability of the connection. A slightly higher fare can be worthwhile when it reduces transfer risk or shortens the total journey.
Practical guide
Using George Bush Intercontinental Airport without guesswork
Plan IAH around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Houston to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at IAH. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
IAH operates five passenger terminals designated A through E. Terminal D is the principal facility for international arrivals and customs processing, while Terminals B, C, and E primarily handle domestic and Latin Americ
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for IAH
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for IAH.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at IAH. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
IAH operates five passenger terminals designated A through E. Terminal D is the principal facility for international arrivals and customs processing, while Terminals B, C, and E primarily handle domestic and Latin Americ
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Routes
Top routes from IAH
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
No routes tracked from IAH yet.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at IAH
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at IAH.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Houston can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at George Bush Intercontinental Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at IAH depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around IAH can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in United States
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in United States.
FAQ
George Bush Intercontinental Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located in Houston, United States (North America), at coordinates 29.980°, -95.340°.
- Its IATA code is IAH and its ICAO code is KIAH.
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport serves Houston, United States. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport operates on America/Chicago local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport sits at latitude 29.980° and longitude -95.340°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Originfacts does not yet track scheduled routes from IAH. Use the flight search on this page to see live airline options for your travel dates.
- Route coverage for IAH is still being added to Originfacts. Run a search from IAH on the flight search page to see every destination airlines currently sell for your dates.
- Its address is 2800 North Terminal Road, Houston, Texas, 77032, United States, the phone number is +1 281-230-3100, the official website is http://www.fly2houston.com/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in United States. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.