The airport, which opened in 1969 as man landed on the moon, has helped to expand Houston’s global reach and has supported the City’s growth.
From the far reaches of Europe to the depths of South America and every corner of the United States of America, George Bush Intercontinental Airport continues to expand Houston’s global reach. Doors to the city’s largest airport opened in June 1969. It was called Houston Intercontinental Airport then and offered two terminals, A and B.
In 1997, Houston City Council unanimously voted to rename the airport after George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a native Texan and fellow Houstonian.
As Houston evolved into the most diverse city in the United States - and the fourth largest U.S. city – Bush Airport grew too. Bush Airport spans more than 11,000 acres, features five runways and is Houston’s largest airport. It’s also the premier long-haul airport for the region.
Bush Airport:
Supports 26 airlines that service 187 non-stop destinations
Is the 10th busiest airport in North America
Is among the top 10 global hubs
Today, 54 years later, the airport boasts five terminals, A, B, C, D and E.
By late 2024, an expanded and renovated international terminal will add capacity, functionality and modern amenities for international travelers. A redevelopment master plan for domestic terminals envisions changes and updates to Bush Airport that will further enhance the airport to better serve passengers and continue successfully connecting people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world through the next decades.
When it comes to world-class customer service, Bush Intercontinental is among the best in the world. The airport maintains its 4-Star Skytrax rating for a sixth consecutive year.
FAST FACTS
The airport's IATA code of IAH derived from the stylization of the airport's name as "Intercontinental Airport of Houston.”
The international terminal D was named after U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland. He died in a plane crash on August 7, 1989 during a humanitarian trip to Ethiopia.
The subway tram system is based on the one used at Disney parks. In fact, Mickey Mouse cut the ribbon at the underground train opening in 1981. We’d like to think it’s because Houston is the “happiest place on earth.” =
Houston Airports owns of the biggest public art collections in the aviation industry. More than 350 art pieces, mostly created by Texas-based artists, are valued at a whopping total of $28 million.
The “Lights Spikes” flag sculpture located outside Terminal E was created for the 1990 Economic Summit. Interesting fact: The distance between each aluminum spike is relative to the distance between Houston and the capitals of the countries the flags represent.