Jul 12, 2016, 7:59 pm
Last edit by: st530
Checking in and departing from IAH:
Terminal C has the most reliably open Precheck and Premier Access security lanes. Consider checking in and clearing security in at Terminal C even if departing from another terminal.
There are no UA check-in counters in Terminal A, even though UA has a few flights that depart from Terminal A. Check in at Terminal B (currently closed) or C.
There is an underground, somewhat slow landside tram system (the Subway) that runs between the basement level of all terminals (plus the on-site Marriott hotel) outside of security. (The Subway was built by Disney and modeled after their PeopleMover ride. It's worth a look if you're into that sort of thing.)
Recommended practices for transiting IAH:
IAH is a huge airport, but all terminals are very conveniently connected by a very frequent, fast airside tram system (the Skyway) inside security. You can pretty much get from any point in the airport to any other point in the airport within about 15 minutes (with a combination of Skyway and a brisk walk) without reclearing security. UA publishes as low as a 35-minute minimum connect time (MCT) at IAH, and while you shouldn't dilly-dally, this is doable on a typical domestic-domestic connection. (It helps if your inbound is not delayed and you're seated towards the front of the plane, of course; your departure flight will be almost fully boarded by the time you get there, but you'll make it.)
Note that the higher-numbered C gates (C29-C45, aka "C South") are directly connected to the E terminal by a walkway. It is usually faster to walk from C South to E (especially the low E gates) than it is to take the train. Similarly, C North (C14-C27) are directly connected to the D terminal, though the Skyway is not really out of the way and is useful if going from a low C gate to a high D gate (C24 to D10, for example). Terminal A and Terminal B are not connected by any walkways, and you must use the Skyway to change to or from these terminals.
For international arrivals: after clearing customs, stay to the left of the baggage re-check belts and follow signs to exit to arrivals (like you're going to curbside). Once in the arrivals lobby, take the elevator or escalator up one floor to find a PreCheck checkpoint and a usually-less-crowded regular checkpoint. If you ignore this advice and proceed up the escalator behind the baggage re-check area, the transit security checkpoint there is often congested and does not have a separate PreCheck checkpoint.
While perhaps not usually recommended, in a pinch, with Global Entry, no checked bags, and PreCheck, it is possible to make a one-hour (or even slightly less) connection by following the above instructions specifically (on a good day, it can take less than 30 minutes from flight arrival to sitting in the Terminal E United Club, as one member reported in the thread). Without Global Entry and with checked luggage (which must be retrieved to go through customs and dropped back off after clearing customs), especially if you are a foreign resident, expect the immigration and customs process to take longer, so allow enough time accordingly. For UA-UA international-international connections (ITI), there is a special immigration line that usually moves pretty quickly, and your baggage will be checked through and does not need to be retrieved to go through customs. No need to collect checked luggage while transiting through IAH. [OneStop]
Again, do not follow signs for international connections up the escalator behind the baggage re-check area; exit to the arrivals waiting area and re-enter one floor above through normal airport security. A map follows for visual learners:
Terminal E arrivals level / departures level:
The marked elevator will spit you out literally directly in front of the PreCheck checkpoint.
Standard UA-UA MCT table for IAH:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
There are lots of exceptions, though, and some specific flights have as low as a 35-minute MCT, which is doable as mentioned above. IAH is a very efficiently designed airport, and you should not worry about what appears to be an abnormally low connection time; if UA says your connection is valid, it is almost certainly doable within the allotted time (notwithstanding delays, of course, and standard advice regarding allowing longer connections for mission-critical travel or travel on separate tickets still stands).
Airport map, courtesy of United Airlines:
Map displays Star Alliance partners only; most non-Star Alliance airlines have domestic operations in Terminal A or international operations in Terminal D
Archive posts - Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at IAH [ARCHIVE]
Terminal C has the most reliably open Precheck and Premier Access security lanes. Consider checking in and clearing security in at Terminal C even if departing from another terminal.
There are no UA check-in counters in Terminal A, even though UA has a few flights that depart from Terminal A. Check in at Terminal B (currently closed) or C.
There is an underground, somewhat slow landside tram system (the Subway) that runs between the basement level of all terminals (plus the on-site Marriott hotel) outside of security. (The Subway was built by Disney and modeled after their PeopleMover ride. It's worth a look if you're into that sort of thing.)
Recommended practices for transiting IAH:
IAH is a huge airport, but all terminals are very conveniently connected by a very frequent, fast airside tram system (the Skyway) inside security. You can pretty much get from any point in the airport to any other point in the airport within about 15 minutes (with a combination of Skyway and a brisk walk) without reclearing security. UA publishes as low as a 35-minute minimum connect time (MCT) at IAH, and while you shouldn't dilly-dally, this is doable on a typical domestic-domestic connection. (It helps if your inbound is not delayed and you're seated towards the front of the plane, of course; your departure flight will be almost fully boarded by the time you get there, but you'll make it.)
Note that the higher-numbered C gates (C29-C45, aka "C South") are directly connected to the E terminal by a walkway. It is usually faster to walk from C South to E (especially the low E gates) than it is to take the train. Similarly, C North (C14-C27) are directly connected to the D terminal, though the Skyway is not really out of the way and is useful if going from a low C gate to a high D gate (C24 to D10, for example). Terminal A and Terminal B are not connected by any walkways, and you must use the Skyway to change to or from these terminals.
For international arrivals: after clearing customs, stay to the left of the baggage re-check belts and follow signs to exit to arrivals (like you're going to curbside). Once in the arrivals lobby, take the elevator or escalator up one floor to find a PreCheck checkpoint and a usually-less-crowded regular checkpoint. If you ignore this advice and proceed up the escalator behind the baggage re-check area, the transit security checkpoint there is often congested and does not have a separate PreCheck checkpoint.
While perhaps not usually recommended, in a pinch, with Global Entry, no checked bags, and PreCheck, it is possible to make a one-hour (or even slightly less) connection by following the above instructions specifically (on a good day, it can take less than 30 minutes from flight arrival to sitting in the Terminal E United Club, as one member reported in the thread). Without Global Entry and with checked luggage (which must be retrieved to go through customs and dropped back off after clearing customs), especially if you are a foreign resident, expect the immigration and customs process to take longer, so allow enough time accordingly. For UA-UA international-international connections (ITI), there is a special immigration line that usually moves pretty quickly, and your baggage will be checked through and does not need to be retrieved to go through customs. No need to collect checked luggage while transiting through IAH. [OneStop]
Again, do not follow signs for international connections up the escalator behind the baggage re-check area; exit to the arrivals waiting area and re-enter one floor above through normal airport security. A map follows for visual learners:
Terminal E arrivals level / departures level:
The marked elevator will spit you out literally directly in front of the PreCheck checkpoint.
Standard UA-UA MCT table for IAH:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Minimum Connect Times: Connecting at IAH Incoming airline UA Outgoing airline UA STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I. ONLINE .45 1.00 1.00 1.15 OFFLINE .45 1.00 1.00 1.15
Airport map, courtesy of United Airlines:
Map displays Star Alliance partners only; most non-Star Alliance airlines have domestic operations in Terminal A or international operations in Terminal D
Archive posts - Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at IAH [ARCHIVE]
Consolidated IAH connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
Dec 15, 2019 | 8:48 am
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
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Is the UA MCT at IAH d to i is still 1 hour? I have a connection that has exactly an hour at IAH (Jan 7), last time it took us over 20 minutes just to get off the plane because someone at the front was blocking everyone's way just to let people who were not ready at the front to take their bags from overheard lockers.
Dec 15, 2019 | 8:59 am
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,562
Note this doesnt make any sense UA can declare you a no-show 30 minutes prior to an international flight but they are the values they use. 60 minutes is the shortest Id even consider booking, and I wouldnt feel all that comfortable with it. (I also live in Austin, so if the flight looked to be in danger, I could hop on an earlier flight or drive).
I suspect that the first 10+ minutes of this time, you were actually waiting for the jet bridge to be attached and the door opened. And blocking everyones way to let people in front of them get off of the plane a.k.a. waiting your turn is the accepted de-boarding procedure in the US. If a flight is delayed, the flight attendant will sometimes make a request for passengers who arent in a hurry to remain seated, but it never really helps.
Dec 15, 2019 | 11:05 am
#123
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 5,166
Is the UA MCT at IAH d to i is still 1 hour? I have a connection that has exactly an hour at IAH (Jan 7), last time it took us over 20 minutes just to get off the plane because someone at the front was blocking everyone's way just to let people who were not ready at the front to take their bags from overheard lockers.
Dec 15, 2019 | 12:10 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
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No, it is (and has been) 30 minutes without a terminal change or 35 minutes with a change of terminal.
Note this doesnt make any sense UA can declare you a no-show 30 minutes prior to an international flight but they are the values they use. 60 minutes is the shortest Id even consider booking, and I wouldnt feel all that comfortable with it. (I also live in Austin, so if the flight looked to be in danger, I could hop on an earlier flight or drive).
I suspect that the first 10+ minutes of this time, you were actually waiting for the jet bridge to be attached and the door opened. And blocking everyones way to let people in front of them get off of the plane a.k.a. waiting your turn is the accepted de-boarding procedure in the US. If a flight is delayed, the flight attendant will sometimes make a request for passengers who arent in a hurry to remain seated, but it never really helps.
Note this doesnt make any sense UA can declare you a no-show 30 minutes prior to an international flight but they are the values they use. 60 minutes is the shortest Id even consider booking, and I wouldnt feel all that comfortable with it. (I also live in Austin, so if the flight looked to be in danger, I could hop on an earlier flight or drive).
I suspect that the first 10+ minutes of this time, you were actually waiting for the jet bridge to be attached and the door opened. And blocking everyones way to let people in front of them get off of the plane a.k.a. waiting your turn is the accepted de-boarding procedure in the US. If a flight is delayed, the flight attendant will sometimes make a request for passengers who arent in a hurry to remain seated, but it never really helps.
Dec 15, 2019 | 12:25 pm
#125
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,957
I can't remember what is what but we were anxious to get off and when everyone had their bags and stuff ready this woman was blocking everyone's way to get out just to let people who weren't in a hurry to take their time to take their bags from the overhead lockers (they were still sitting down when people were trying to get off the plane - that's why I'm annoyed). ...
If the plane has arrived late and you are in real risk of missing your next flight, politely asking may work -- but generally, once people have gotten up, the aisle is too congested or this to work (without the FAs making an announcement}.
If you miss a connection due to not being able to get to the gate on time, UA will attempt to rebook you on the next flight (space available). But an hour at IAH should be plenty of time unless you are mobility challenged or decide to do other things first (shop, get food, ...). Also, if on a tight connection, seating as far forward (close to the door) is a good idea.
Jan 29, 2020 | 10:39 am
#126
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,088
I frequently fly in/out of MID on UA and I recall several times the pre-arrival announcement on the MID-IAH flights mentioning that passengers with baggage checked through to NH in IAH do *not* need to collect their bags in IAH.
Is that same arrangement available on NH flights arriving into IAH and connecting to MID on UA? Where would that information be available (other than here on FT, of course)?
Is that same arrangement available on NH flights arriving into IAH and connecting to MID on UA? Where would that information be available (other than here on FT, of course)?
Jan 29, 2020 | 12:33 pm
#127
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Note in the process, one still must clear / declare customs / immigration just as normal but without physical dragging your checked bags thru customs
There is more discussion of ITI in this thread but very little recent information on the CBP site.
Jan 29, 2020 | 1:36 pm
#128
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 3MM & LT UC, Qantas Platinum, HA Pualani Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 9,836
Jan 30, 2020 | 6:01 am
#129
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,088
I will ask the NH ground staff in NRT and also the F/As on board, and see what answer(s) I get.
Can you clarify what you meant? Do you mean that what WineCountryUA said is the standard procedure for all I-to-I flights at IAH? i.e. That you never need to claim your bags for any I-to-I connection at IAH?
Last edited by wpcoe; Jan 30, 2020 at 6:08 am Reason: add quote from/reply to kirkwoodj
Jan 30, 2020 | 6:56 am
#131
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 3MM & LT UC, Qantas Platinum, HA Pualani Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 9,836
I can only verify that if arriving on UA, can't be 100% for other airlines.
Feb 5, 2020 | 6:31 pm
#132
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: CLT
Programs: AA
Posts: 503
Reasonable Int'l-Domestic *Split Ticket* Connection Time @ IAH?
Apologies if there's a better place to post this, but I figured this group would at least have a good feel for getting through Houston! Can't say I've ever done a trip on separate tickets before, not have I ever been through IAH, so I'm trying to feel this out.
So. Later this year I'll be coming back from Japan through IAH on NH. Flight arrives 7:15 AM, I have Global Entry, and probably won't have checked bags. Need to get to CLT... and since I'll be going back to work the next day it'd be nice to get home as early as is feasible and try to shake off the time change!
Ordinarily I would fly AA, but the options there are 8:30 AM which seems unreasonably short / risky, or 1:30 PM which... eh, that's a bit of sitting around if I can avoid it.
There are two UA Express (Mesa) flights in between though. 10:15 AM and 12:25 PM. Is 3 hours a reasonable safety buffer...? Any sort of tangible advantage here booking through UA, with my incoming flight also being on Star Alliance?
Just curious to hear opinions and experiences. Thanks!
So. Later this year I'll be coming back from Japan through IAH on NH. Flight arrives 7:15 AM, I have Global Entry, and probably won't have checked bags. Need to get to CLT... and since I'll be going back to work the next day it'd be nice to get home as early as is feasible and try to shake off the time change!
Ordinarily I would fly AA, but the options there are 8:30 AM which seems unreasonably short / risky, or 1:30 PM which... eh, that's a bit of sitting around if I can avoid it.
There are two UA Express (Mesa) flights in between though. 10:15 AM and 12:25 PM. Is 3 hours a reasonable safety buffer...? Any sort of tangible advantage here booking through UA, with my incoming flight also being on Star Alliance?
Just curious to hear opinions and experiences. Thanks!
Feb 5, 2020 | 6:48 pm
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,562
There is no official protection afforded due to flying on Star Alliance; however, UA has a reputation for giving some unofficial protection when you miss a flight due to a delayed Star Alliance inbound -- basically, if you buy the 10:15 and it turns out to be impossible to make it, there's a good chance you'd get onto the 12:25 anyway, assuming there are seats available.
Feb 5, 2020 | 7:33 pm
#134
Flyertalk Evangelist, Moderator: United Airlines MileagePlus
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, UA Nostalgist, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 16,098
My personal split ticket MCT is 4h00, but that's mostly because I really don't want it to be my problem if the inbound is an hour or two late. YMMV.
Feb 10, 2020 | 6:23 am
#135
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 9
New to this forum; so this may be wrong place to post. I searched and could not find possible forum.
Flying from JAX to IAH on to IAH to BDL. Both planes are Embraer 175 operated by Mesa Airlines/United. Schedule does not currently show terminal change.
Is 48 minutes enough time to connect? Will be in Seat 2A. If I can switch to this flight I can avoid ORD!
Flying from JAX to IAH on to IAH to BDL. Both planes are Embraer 175 operated by Mesa Airlines/United. Schedule does not currently show terminal change.
Is 48 minutes enough time to connect? Will be in Seat 2A. If I can switch to this flight I can avoid ORD!