Welcome toGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport

Somewhere between the Mother’s Room and the iShoppes duty-free store, a traveler in camo shorts and Converse sneakers taps a screen, stares intently and makes a decision that has nothing to do with boarding zones or seat assignments.He’s choosing a Pokémon booster pack.Welcome to The Fan Stand, a vending-machine-meets-time-machine installed at the newly expanded Terminal D at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). With walls splashed in Topps’ signature reds and oranges, and vending slots filled with trading cards spanning everything from baseball legends to anime champions, it’s a bold departure from your average airport impulse buy.And it’s exactly the point.“We’re always looking for new ways to surprise and delight travelers,” said Libby Hurley, director of concessions for Houston Airports. “The Fan Stand taps into nostalgia and culture in a way that feels both familiar and unexpected. Whether you’re a die-hard collector or just need a quick gift, it’s a fun stop that makes the terminal experience a little more memorable.”Positioned steps away from international gates, the vending machines are stocked with Pokémon cards—including rare Japanese imports—alongside NBA, NFL, UFC and Star Wars collectibles. The crisp digital interface invites users to scroll through options like they’re choosing a playlist, not a pack of foil-sealed adrenaline.The machines offer a convenient way for collectors to purchase cards, including single packs, blasters and mega boxes. Designed with an elevator system for gentle product retrieval and well-lit displays that border on theatrical, the setup caters to the casually curious and the cardboard-devout alike.It’s a savvy move for Houston Airports at a time when collectibles are booming, and travelers—especially Gen Z and millennial fans—are craving connection, not just convenience.“Airport retail is evolving,” said Hurley. “People want more than coffee and souvenirs. They want moments. They want stories. And sometimes, they want to rip open a pack of cards while they wait for their flight.”The Fan Stand is only one act in the Houston Airport System’s larger vending renaissance. Over the last three years, Houston Airports has transformed what vending means in a terminal. Think Sprinkles cupcake ATMs, Kylie Cosmetics kiosks, LEGO machines and Parents on the Go setups stocked with baby wipes and diapers. At Hobby Airport, there’s even a library vending machine, BOOKLink, run by the Houston Public Library.And right next to The Fan Stand? A vending machine stocked floor-to-ceiling with Polly Pocket.This is not the Houston airport retail of five years ago. This is curated, connected, culturally relevant commerce. It’s vending with personality, strategy and selfie lighting.As travelers move through the bright, modern Terminal D—fresh off a multimillion-dollar expansion—it’s hard to miss the buzz around the vending zone. People point. Kids tug on sleeves. Grown adults hover a beat too long before making a purchase and walking away smiling.It’s retail theater, in a vending machine.And for a few bucks and a little luck, you just might pull a holographic Charizard before your flight to Frankfurt.RELATED | Travelers thankful for next-gen vending machines that sell more than snacksRELATED | Hip & Humble opens inside IAH Terminal DRELATED | Houston Airports unveils dynamic dining, retail at IAH Terminal D

At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the curb is no longer a waiting room.In spring 2024, cars idled along the pickup lanes, doors flung open, drivers scrolling their phones as they waited for passengers who were still clearing immigration or “just grabbing their bags.” Some called it convenient. Most called it chaos.Houston Airports called time.On May 23, 2024, just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, a new traffic directive quietly took hold: Active Loading only. If your party wasn’t on the curb, ready to be picked up, you weren’t allowed to stop.No trunk popping. No lingering. No loopholes.“We have greatly improved traffic backups during off-peak hours,” said Bobby Miller, Senior Division Manager of Airport Operations for Houston Airports. “This policy shift allows us to deliver a world-class experience by prohibiting traffic from building up simply because vehicles are parked and waiting for passengers along the curb.”The results were immediate. IN 2024, during the July 4th travel surge, more than 1.9 million passengers passed through Houston’s airports. Curbside gridlock? Significantly reduced. Traffic enforcement was handled by a small army—Landside Agents and law enforcement officers—tasked with enforcing the new rhythm of airport pickup: keep it moving.It’s a tough-love strategy, delivered with what Miller calls “Houston Friendly” hospitality. “While the policy may seem rigid, its efficiency and consideration for other passengers allows us to move vehicles along quickly so others may pull up to the curb.”The concept isn’t novel. Hobby Airport has enforced an Active Loading policy for years. Other major U.S. airports—LAX, ORD, ATL—have long banned curbside waiting in the name of post-9/11 security and traffic flow. Bush Airport, until recently, was one of the few exceptions.But record traffic volumes in 2024 changed that.With more than 40 new Landside Agents added to the roster—a 50% increase in staffing—Houston Airports is betting that habit change, not just enforcement, is the key to success.To help, there are three free cell phone lots available 24/7. Temporary lane closures during low-volume periods give staff brief reprieve from the summer heat. And yes, the tone from agents is polite, but firm: if your passenger isn’t curbside, you’ll be asked to keep moving.There’s strategy in the messaging too. Curbside signage is direct. Social media reminders are rolling out again. And the phrase “Active Loading” is being repeated with a kind of mantra-like consistency. Because changing traveler behavior isn’t just about policies—it’s about narrative.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhYsr-AdBM8)The challenge now is education. From frustrated drivers to confused first-time visitors, complaints still come in. But as Miller points out, “Our ultimate goal is to create a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone traveling through Houston Airports.”At IAH, that starts with a simple ask: be ready—or keep rolling.---FAQs: What you need to know about curbside pickup at IAH“I didn’t know the rules had changed.”Active Loading took effect at IAH on May 23, 2024. The policy requires that passengers be on the curb, ready to go, before a vehicle can stop. This applies at all terminals and is enforced consistently throughout the day.“I was told to move, even though I was just waiting a minute.”Curbside stops are strictly for active loading or unloading only. Even short waits can block the flow of traffic for dozens of other vehicles. Agents will ask you to move if your passenger isn’t outside and ready.“I don’t understand where I’m supposed to wait.”IAH has three free, 24/7 cell phone lots located minutes from the terminals. Drivers are encouraged to wait there until their passenger is at the curb. Signage throughout the airport directs vehicles to these lots.“This seems harsh or unfriendly.”Enforcement is firm—but courteous. Houston Airports trains all agents to be respectful while helping drivers move along. It’s not about being punitive; it’s about keeping traffic moving and ensuring fairness for everyone.“There’s no consistency in enforcement.”To address this concern, Houston Airports increased its Landside Agent staffing by nearly 50%. The added presence is helping to create a consistent, visible enforcement effort that reduces confusion and delays.“This feels unfair to people with mobility issues.”Passengers who need extra time or assistance are encouraged to coordinate directly with their airline for wheelchair services, or to use terminal parking for closer access. Curbside access is limited to active loading only, but accommodations are available inside the terminal.

When Hurricane Beryl tore into the Texas Gulf Coast in July 2024, it wasn’t just another storm. Beryl slammed ashore as a deadly hurricane, knocking out power to more than 2 million homes and businesses, crippling critical infrastructure and forcing both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to halt operations. For Houston Airports, it was a defining test — and a stark reminder of how quickly a major storm can unravel even the most carefully orchestrated operations.“We see every storm as a chance to get stronger,” said Scott Hill, deputy director of infrastructure for Houston Airports. “Beryl exposed gaps, but it also gave us a clear roadmap for how to improve.”In the 12 months since Beryl, Houston Airports has launched targeted upgrades, many of them invisible to passengers, but critical to keeping the airport system moving when severe weather strikes again.Portable power, on demandOne of the most visible lessons came on the roadways leading to Bush Airport. As traffic signals failed and curbside areas grew chaotic, officials turned to a surprisingly nimble solution: Ford F-150 Lightning trucks.Originally purchased as part of the airport system’s commitment to sustainability, the electric pickups were quickly repurposed as mobile power generators. Crews used them to power traffic lights and keep traffic flowing even as much of the region remained dark.“That was a real-world test for us,” Hill said. “During Beryl, we used the Lightnings to keep key intersections powered. That kept traffic moving and got employees and passengers where they needed to be. Now, it’s part of our standard playbook.”In addition to the Ford Lightnings, Houston Airports secured new pre-storm generator contracts, allowing portable units to be staged on site before any system enters the Gulf.“When you lose power, every minute counts,” Hill said. “The goal is to stay operational, not just recover.”Houston Airports has also changed its protocols around electric vehicle usage during hurricanes. Employees and travelers are now encouraged to fully charge their electric vehicles ahead of landfall to maximize flexibility and assist others if needed.Clearing risks before the wind blowsIn airfield operations, one of the quietest but most impactful changes began immediately after Beryl.“In aviation, debris is the enemy,” said Angel Santos, who leads the IAH airside operations and maintenance division for Houston Airports. “Fallen trees, unsecured equipment and loose materials are major hazards during high winds.”In the months before the 2025 hurricane season, crews removed more than 100 dead or compromised trees along airport roadways and airfield zones. The removals are part of a long-term tree management program to reduce projectile risks before hurricane-force winds arrive.“That’s 100 fewer things we have to worry about flying across our roadways or tarmacs,” Santos said. “Prevention happens before the storm shows up.”At Terminal A, Houston Airports replaced aging jet bridges with an eye on long-term resiliency.“The new bridges aren’t just newer, they’re smarter,” Santos said. “Every one of them now includes hurricane-grade tie-down systems to better anchor the bridges during high winds. It’s a detail most people never notice, but one that makes a huge difference when a storm arrives.”The added reinforcements reduce the risk of bridges being damaged, dislodged or rendered unsafe during sustained tropical winds.Hobby Airport’s approach: precision and preventionAt Hobby Airport, many of Beryl's lessons translated into rapid upgrades.“We’ve been aggressive about identifying and removing any compromised trees that could become projectiles during a wind event,” said Jude Nwambuonwo, division manager of HOU terminal maintenance for Houston Airports. “Every tree we trim or remove is one less hazard for passengers, staff and critical infrastructure.”Drainage was another focus. Like IAH, Hobby maintenance crews turned summer storms into live exercises.“We don’t wait for the hurricane to tell us whether our drainage works,” Nwambuonwo said. “We use routine summer storms as live tests of our lift stations and pumping systems. That way, when the Gulf heats up, we’re not guessing.”Hobby’s terminal roofs also received targeted repairs ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.“We’ve made targeted roof repairs across terminal buildings to prevent water intrusion before it becomes a problem,” Nwambuonwo said. “Leaks may sound minor, but one compromised roof section can shut down a gate or entire terminal area during a storm.”Several jet bridges were also replaced at Hobby.“The new jet bridges were designed with storms in mind,” Nwambuonwo said. “They’re equipped with hurricane-grade tie-downs that allow us to secure the bridges in place even during sustained tropical winds.”Behind the scenes, HOU electricians and maintenance teams added another layer of readiness.“Our electricians and maintenance teams now have standby portable generators ready to go before any storm makes landfall,” Nwambuonwo said. “That allows us to keep essential systems powered and running, even if the grid goes down.”Water management as a daily disciplineBeyond wind, another key vulnerability for airports is water.“We’re not waiting for hurricanes to test our drainage,” Santos said. “Every major summer rainstorm is now an opportunity to pressure-test our lift stations and pumping systems.”When June storms moved through Houston this year, maintenance crews monitored how quickly and efficiently water was moved away from runways, taxiways and terminals. Data from those real-world events is used to make proactive adjustments long before the Gulf heats up.“Beryl taught us that you prepare before hurricane season starts, not after,” Santos said.Better for passengers, tooWhile much of the work happens behind the scenes, passengers will feel the improvements if another storm strikes.Portable generators now power and illuminate curbside check-in kiosks, walkways, traffic lights and terminal entrances. Reinforced roofs minimize leaks and closures. Redundant power feeds maintain TSA operations and baggage handling.Passenger communication has also been overhauled. Updated messaging through Fly2Houston.com, mobile apps and airline partners allows for earlier and more precise information when disruptions are likely.“When you give people honest, timely information, they can plan,” said Augusto Bernal, director of communications for Houston Airports. “That reduces stress for travelers, employees and the entire airport system.”Preparing for the next stormAs the 2025 hurricane season unfolds, Houston Airports stands on firmer footing. The power may still go out, the rain may still fall and the winds will still howl. But across Bush and Hobby, layers of hard-earned resilience are now in place. Systems are engineered to survive the next storm and keep passengers moving through it.“No airport can stop a hurricane,” Hill said. “But what we’ve built is a defense that gets stronger every single season.”[](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/houston-airports-official/id1613307854)