Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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 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 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
#226
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
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Posts: 641
Is the CLEAR system still working as intended in Terminal C -- escort to front of pre-check line? (I'm not GS, by the way)
#227
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
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#228
Join Date: May 2013
Location: South Texas
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, Marriott Tit
Posts: 277
We will arrive IAH on QR and need to get our luggage and check it on UA. UA flight is on a separate ticket. Is there a UA agent after customs that can assist with this? Also, we prefer not to use the D/E intl arrivals TSA. I would like to go to C and use clear and TSA pre. Is the underground train still accessible after clearing customs?
#230
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 605
Ride it while you can
I was on a virtual town hall this afternoon with Texas' 7th District Representative, discussing new federal infrastructure money. On the call was an executive with the Houston Airport System. He mentioned that the Disney train (his terminology) is slated to be replaced soon. They were having a hard time finding something that fits in the available dimensions down there. I thought it amusing that he mentioned that project, which surely is small potatoes compared to the hundreds of millions they're spending at Bush.
He also spoke about remodeling the "old" side of Terminal B too, among a list of other improvements on the way.
He also spoke about remodeling the "old" side of Terminal B too, among a list of other improvements on the way.
#231
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 1,740
We will arrive IAH on QR and need to get our luggage and check it on UA. UA flight is on a separate ticket. Is there a UA agent after customs that can assist with this? Also, we prefer not to use the D/E intl arrivals TSA. I would like to go to C and use clear and TSA pre. Is the underground train still accessible after clearing customs?
If your flight leaves from E, you can walk to D and use their Pre (no CLEAR) but Pre at D is never busy.
#232
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
#233
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,548
Maybe because 98 percent of my IAH flights are O&D and usually int'l, plus E has construction, but I use the subway very often. With the military tags on my vehicles I get free parking at the terminal so usually try to park close at C and always exit customs on the way back and head down. I find it useful.YMMV of course. During layer afternoon hours I also find it very full with both employees and pax. I do wish they would put some art and/or colour downthere to liven up the plane. One would think and intern or two could rotate local elementary kid's art or something like that. Or paint local cityscapes on the wall or something.
Anyway with the term E construction I think the tram's usefulness shows so need to get rid of it entirely.
Anyway with the term E construction I think the tram's usefulness shows so need to get rid of it entirely.
#236
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David
#237
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
Awesome thanks, good to hear. I can stay in Polaris a bit longer than I thought...
#238
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
United was a mess at DFW after the cancellation so I just bought an AA ticket. Had to cancel the entire UA ticket and fortunately was able to grab a seat on the slightly later IAH-EWR flight. Bit frustrating but w/e. Get a 77W instead of 767 for the Polaris experience so I guess thats good. However, I now have to get from A to Polaris. No more Polaris to D though as this Newark flight will leave from E.
#239
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,856
United was a mess at DFW after the cancellation so I just bought an AA ticket. Had to cancel the entire UA ticket and fortunately was able to grab a seat on the slightly later IAH-EWR flight. Bit frustrating but w/e. Get a 77W instead of 767 for the Polaris experience so I guess thats good. However, I now have to get from A to Polaris. No more Polaris to D though as this Newark flight will leave from E.
Are you flying international out of EWR?
#240
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
It was just domestic, to EWR. Almost missed that stop on the train thing. D & E together. Hadnt seen this post as of that time . Had to wedge myself out of the doors to make it out. The stop is D, E & international arrivalsa I think it was, all at one stop. I dont recall walking past D gates though. I thiink I was nearly in E when i got off it but dont quite recall tbh. But it worked.
Last edited by happiest_at_40000; Apr 16, 2022 at 8:03 pm