Transiting in IAH
 

I've got flights coming up and wonder if anyone can shed specific light on transiting the connections at IAH.
Outbound we fly into IAH on DL, and then connect onto EK. I'm assuming we have to go to domestic baggage claim and then take a bus landside over to the international terminal and then re-check in to EK? I know DL and EK don't interline, so I'm assuming DL can't check bags through.

On the return, we land on EK and then connect to a UA flight - so on this one though we have to clear immigration with our bags, they should be checked through in DXB all the way because of the UA/EK partnership, correct?

Is it on a single ticket or separate tickets?

Separate tickets on both domestic flights.

I recently transited Houston and can share my experience.

On your outbound leg after arriving on Delta, you need to collect your bags and then look for inter terminal train to go to your departure terminal. On your return leg, as per US law bags need to be collected on arrival, and you need to recheck them in on United. Since you are holding two separate tickets, the bag handover will have to be done at UA check-in desk in transfer area. Kindly ensure sufficient connection time in Houston (Minimum 3HRS is a must). During my travel, UA check-in was painfully slow, as they had very agents supporting a huge crowd. Additionally, it can take anywhere between 30MIN to an HR to clear security during peak hours.

Your OP is correct except there is a train that can take you between the DL and EK terminals.

https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/inte...transportation

On the way back you may get lucky and have bag checked through on to UA but it doesn't really matter as you will have to claim them in IAH anyway and can drop them off in the transit area. Make sure to leave ample time to make the connection both ways.

The skyway train is airside but the subway train is landside (pre security)