A federal mask mandate is in effect at all U.S. airports. Travelers, two years and older, are required to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times inside Bush and Hobby airports.
Houston Airports is accredited by Airports Council International for its commitment to prioritizing health and safety measures in accordance with ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART) recommendations and in alignment with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines along with industry best practices.
In June 2020, Houston Airports activated FlySafe Houston — an internationally accredited passenger and employee-focused safety and health initiative that aims to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at every corner of Houston’s airports. The FlySafe Houston health initiative was developed to work in unison with our airline partners’ existing health and safety programs to create a “curb to sky” safety promise.
The new safety measures include mandatory masks/face coverings, touchless kiosks at select airline ticketing counters, facial comparison technology at select departing and immigration entry points, deep cleanings, social distancing markers in queues, safety shields at counters, additional installment of hand sanitizer stations, increased frequency of air-filter replacements and public announcements and signage to promote good hygiene and social distancing.
- Masks are required
- Atomizer sprayers used for seats, bathrooms, and play areas
- Additional hand sanitizer stations
- Ground markings for social distancing
- Increased air filter replacements
- Crowd control sensors/monitoring
- Public announcement reminders
- Increased cleanings at high touchpoints and restrooms
- Signage and digital displays
- Safety shields at information booths*
*Airlines and/or concessions may implement the safety measure indicated
- Increased cleanings
- Reduced seat capacity on shuttles to promote social distancing
- Use of cell phone lots to ease curbside congestions
- Touchless kiosks at check-in *
- Ground markings at queues
- Safety shields at ticketing
- Masks on agents
- Additional hand sanitizer stations
- Increased frequency of cleanings
*Airlines may implement the safety measure indicated
- Table and seat distancing
- Safety shields at cashier stations*
- Increased cleanings
- Disposable/digital menus and utensils
- Masks for employees
*Concessions may implement the safety measure indicated
- Baggage belt assignment modifications
- Increased cleanings
- Additional hand sanitizer stations
- Hand sanitizer wipes
- Increased cleanings
- Boarding pass reader/ID self-scanner
- Safety shields
- Masks and gloves on Agents
- Disinfection of checkpoint bins
- Additional hand sanitizer stations
- Hand sanitizer wipes
- Masks required for travel
- Touch-free biometric boarding for international flights
- Seat-spacing encouraged
- Ground markings for social distancing
- Safety shields at gate agent stations*
- Increased frequency of cleanings
*Airlines may implement the safety measure indicated
- Touch free biometric boarding for international flights
- Additional hand sanitizer stations
- Masks required
- Safety shields at gate agent stations*
- Public announcement reminders
- Increased cleanings at high touchpoint and restrooms
- Signage and digital displays
*Airlines may implement the safety measure indicated
Do I need to wear a face covering at the airport?
Yes. A federal mask mandate is in effect at all U.S. airports. Travelers, two years and older, are required to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times inside the airport.
What happens if I come to the airport, and I don’t have mask?
Houston Airports team members will be handing out masks at all terminal entrances to ticketed passengers. Masks and other personal protective equipment can be purchased at select retailers located near gates.
Are people allowed to fly to and from Mexico even if the land border is closed?
Yes. Currently, air travel between Houston and any Mexican destination does not have any restrictions. Entry to the United States for any Mexican national requires a valid visa.
Do I need proof of a negative COVID-19 result to fly into Houston from an international destination?
When arriving into Houston via an international flight, every passenger over the age of two, including United States citizens or legal permanent residents, must show proof of a negative COVID-19 result.
You will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel). For more information on the COVID-19 testing requirement visit the CDC for official guidelines.
For the most up-to date information on travel restrictions in the U.S visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html
Houston Airports and Its Partners Continue to Address COVID-19
Houston Airports works in constant collaboration with its airline partners to ensure the safety of passengers. Below you will find preventative measures our airline partners have taken to address the COVID-19 virus.
AeroMexico British Airways Spirit Airlines
Air Canada Delta Air Lines Turkish Airlines
Alaska Airlines Emirates United Airlines
American Airlines Ethiopian Airlines Volaris
Air New Zealand Frontier Airlines Volaris (Español)
All Nippon Airways Lufthansa Viva Aerobus
Avianca Southwest Airlines West Jet