Houston Airports anticipates a 7% increase in holiday travel compared to the same period in 2023. Between Thursday, December 19, and Monday, January 6, an estimated 3.4 million passengers are expected to travel through George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

Houston Airports is pulling out all the stops to make this a season of smooth and memorable travel. Passengers will benefit from new traffic and parking solutions, cutting-edge TSA technology, expanded customer service teams and festive holiday activities.

Passenger projections: 

• Bush Airport will welcome 2.7 million travelers (2 million domestic) 
• Hobby Airport will welcome 755,000 passengers (707,000 domestic)

Peak travel days:

• Thursday, December 19: 206,000 passengers
• Friday, December 20: 207,000 passengers
• Sunday, December 22: 204,000 passengers
• Thursday, December 26: 205,000 passengers
• Sunday, December 29: 201,000 passengers

Better travel days:

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 149,000 passengers
• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 152,000 passengers
• Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve): 146,000 passengers
• Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day): 157,000 passengers
• Saturday, January 4: 156,000 passengers

“The holiday season is one of the most important times of year for travelers, and Houston Airports is delivering a premiere experience that puts passengers first,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “As millions of people prepare to connect with loved ones or explore nonstop destinations around the globe, we’re focused on the details that matter—streamlining traffic, enhancing amenities and providing Houston-friendly hospitality at every touchpoint. This commitment not only supports our passengers but also drives a significant economic impact for the region.”

New amenities ease the holiday rush

Passengers flying out of Bush Airport can take advantage of the brand-new International Arrivals Curb, which opened on December 14. This long-awaited improvement addresses passenger frustrations with the former curb, offering six dedicated lanes designed to streamline international arrivals and reduce congestion. Additionally, Bush Airport has doubled its customer service team in Terminals A and D to 70 employees. New uniforms make staff easier to spot.

At Hobby Airport, TSA screening has been modernized with Smiths Detection equipment, enabling passengers to keep approved liquids and laptops in their carry-ons. This speeds up security lines and improves the pre-flight experience. Hobby also debuted new information kiosks on both sides of security to assist travelers in navigating the airport. 

At Bush and Hobby airports, the Sunflower Lanyard Program ensures that passengers with non-visible disabilities receive the support they need from airport staff, fostering a more inclusive travel experience.

Travel tips and tricks

• Reserve parking online at fly2houston.com/parking to secure a spot and save money.
• Arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international departures.
• Picking up a passenger? Use cellphone lots to avoid circling the curb.
• TSA Pre-check registration facility in Terminal C at IAH