Jul 12, 2016, 7:59 pm
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
Feb 5, 2024, 7:14 pm
#421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,029
It's been a few weeks since I've been through IAH, but I was there on Saturday and I don't believe that it's been reported that you can no longer walk airside between the eastern B North banjo and the C-D-E complex. I always enjoyed that option to avoid the train and for the uncrowded bathrooms. Here's hoping the ability to walk between these terminals will be restored when the work in B is complete.
Feb 5, 2024, 8:28 pm
#422
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: CHI - LIS
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 453
Exactly. Access to the flight stations is blocked off at the terminal ends and it looks like a fair amount of the retail on the north side of the terminal building, including Peet's, has closed. The C North stair has some movable panels and signage indicating it's an emergency exit only.
Feb 5, 2024, 8:33 pm
#423
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 605
As a data point, I had to retrieve a passenger from E on a recent Sunday night. Learning one lesson (but not all), I didn't take the big wide loop from JFK Blvd, following the signs to C/D/E to the north Terminal Road passing Terminal D. I stayed on the A/B access road, looped around the Marriott, and headed east on the south Terminal Road. It was free of traffic until Terminal C. It still took 30 min to crawl through the traffic jam before entering the pickup lanes at Terminal E. I won't do that again until the construction is complete - passengers will have to go to B for pickup.
Feb 16, 2024, 12:58 pm
#424
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In between PTY, MEX and CPH
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, SAS Eurobonus Silver, Connect Miles Gold, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Disc.
Posts: 587
Flying GDL-IAH-XPL (Tegucigalpa) on a Thursday morning, having 1h 15 mins available in IAH to clear immigration (ESTA) and customs. I gather from this thread that UA will indeed check my luggage through and I do not have to worry about it at all in IAH...?
It is by far the most convenient way of getting from Guadalajara to Tegucigalpa, but the short connection in IAH has me a little worried. I'm a seasoned traveler but have only been in IAH very few times and last time was in 2018.
Flight from GDL is Operated by Mesa on an E175. Does this spell remote parking?
A penny for peoples thoughts. Much appreciated.
It is by far the most convenient way of getting from Guadalajara to Tegucigalpa, but the short connection in IAH has me a little worried. I'm a seasoned traveler but have only been in IAH very few times and last time was in 2018.
Flight from GDL is Operated by Mesa on an E175. Does this spell remote parking?
A penny for peoples thoughts. Much appreciated.
Feb 16, 2024, 1:27 pm
#425
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: SFO
Posts: 239
Flying GDL-IAH-XPL (Tegucigalpa) on a Thursday morning, having 1h 15 mins available in IAH to clear immigration (ESTA) and customs. I gather from this thread that UA will indeed check my luggage through and I do not have to worry about it at all in IAH...?
It is by far the most convenient way of getting from Guadalajara to Tegucigalpa, but the short connection in IAH has me a little worried. I'm a seasoned traveler but have only been in IAH very few times and last time was in 2018.
Flight from GDL is Operated by Mesa on an E175. Does this spell remote parking?
A penny for peoples thoughts. Much appreciated.
It is by far the most convenient way of getting from Guadalajara to Tegucigalpa, but the short connection in IAH has me a little worried. I'm a seasoned traveler but have only been in IAH very few times and last time was in 2018.
Flight from GDL is Operated by Mesa on an E175. Does this spell remote parking?
A penny for peoples thoughts. Much appreciated.
Based on past data for the 2 daily GDL to IAH flights operated by Mesa, they tend to arrive at either Terminals D or E. So you should not have to worry about bus gates. I’m not aware of any bus gate operations in IAH.
As for wait times, CBP publishes their checkpoint wait times for US airports online. (https://awt.cbp.gov) You can use that data to see if you think you have enough time or not.
Feb 16, 2024, 1:37 pm
#426
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
Baggage should be through checked at IAH as that airport has a special arrangement allowing International to International bags to bypass the baggage claim.
Based on past data for the 2 daily GDL to IAH flights operated by Mesa, they tend to arrive at either Terminals D or E. So you should not have to worry about bus gates. I’m not aware of any bus gate operations in IAH.
As for wait times, CBP publishes their checkpoint wait times for US airports online. (https://awt.cbp.gov) You can use that data to see if you think you have enough time or not.
Based on past data for the 2 daily GDL to IAH flights operated by Mesa, they tend to arrive at either Terminals D or E. So you should not have to worry about bus gates. I’m not aware of any bus gate operations in IAH.
As for wait times, CBP publishes their checkpoint wait times for US airports online. (https://awt.cbp.gov) You can use that data to see if you think you have enough time or not.
Clearing immigration should be a breeze at that early morning hour. As long as the inbound flight is on time, it shouldn’t be a problem making the outbound. Sitting in an aisle seat close to the front of the plane on the in bound might help by several minutes.
Feb 16, 2024, 1:41 pm
#427
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
sonyeoshin is correct; there are no bus gates at IAH. Your flight will arrive at D or E because that's where all non-pre-cleared international arrivals go. Most, but not all, international UA departures will be from E; a few are from C (and you'll, rarely, see some from D). The Minimum Connection Time for UA-UA International to International at IAH is 1h10m, so this is a very aggressive plan. The fact that you don't have to wait for your bags is a plus, but you will have to go through immigration, customs, and security. (Even though you don't have to wait for your bag, you're still going through customs, and you still need to follow all US entry regulations).
Feb 16, 2024, 1:45 pm
#428
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In between PTY, MEX and CPH
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, SAS Eurobonus Silver, Connect Miles Gold, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Disc.
Posts: 587
Thanks for the help! Much appreciated.
I will do my homework in terms of studying the operations a few days before my flights.
I will do my homework in terms of studying the operations a few days before my flights.
Feb 16, 2024, 2:07 pm
#429
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
Flying GDL-IAH-XPL (Tegucigalpa) on a Thursday morning, having 1h 15 mins available in IAH to clear immigration (ESTA) and customs. I gather from this thread that UA will indeed check my luggage through and I do not have to worry about it at all in IAH...?
It is by far the most convenient way of getting from Guadalajara to Tegucigalpa, but the short connection in IAH has me a little worried. I'm a seasoned traveler but have only been in IAH very few times and last time was in 2018.
Flight from GDL is Operated by Mesa on an E175. Does this spell remote parking?
A penny for peoples thoughts. Much appreciated.
It is by far the most convenient way of getting from Guadalajara to Tegucigalpa, but the short connection in IAH has me a little worried. I'm a seasoned traveler but have only been in IAH very few times and last time was in 2018.
Flight from GDL is Operated by Mesa on an E175. Does this spell remote parking?
A penny for peoples thoughts. Much appreciated.
Your two big limfacs are immigration (not customs) and TSA. Morning time beats the Euro rush in the afternoon so I think you should be fine at Immigration. Customs at IAH just requires walking out. No stop unless they select you as you exit, then after customs you turn right for the 'special' int'l arrival checkpoint. I don't normally use that checkpoint, but if everything is on time I think you will be fine from what others tell me who do use it.
International departures can happen at any terminal of IAH for UA but for a mainline narrowbody departure you are likely in C or E. Longest walk would be to the new C north , but regardless if everything is on time I think you can make it.
Obviously as many of us are frequent and savvy travelers, have your back-up plans in place (weather, mechanical, computer problems, etc.). But again, it shoul be doable if on time.
Buena Suerte
Feb 19, 2024, 9:04 am
#430
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,019
Hello all.
I have a domestic flight out of IAH in a couple weeks (6PM or so departure on a Saturday).
Will not have any checked luggage ; Have Pre-check;
Will have to return rental car at the rental facility.
What time should I be ready to drop off the car?
Will 4PM be sufficient due to the construction delays?
Should I take the shuttle bus to Terminal C? As it looks like "E" is kind of closed.
thank you in advance.
I have a domestic flight out of IAH in a couple weeks (6PM or so departure on a Saturday).
Will not have any checked luggage ; Have Pre-check;
Will have to return rental car at the rental facility.
What time should I be ready to drop off the car?
Will 4PM be sufficient due to the construction delays?
Should I take the shuttle bus to Terminal C? As it looks like "E" is kind of closed.
thank you in advance.
Feb 19, 2024, 9:52 am
#431
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
Hello all.
I have a domestic flight out of IAH in a couple weeks (6PM or so departure on a Saturday).
Will not have any checked luggage ; Have Pre-check;
Will have to return rental car at the rental facility.
What time should I be ready to drop off the car?
Will 4PM be sufficient due to the construction delays?
Should I take the shuttle bus to Terminal C? As it looks like "E" is kind of closed.
thank you in advance.
I have a domestic flight out of IAH in a couple weeks (6PM or so departure on a Saturday).
Will not have any checked luggage ; Have Pre-check;
Will have to return rental car at the rental facility.
What time should I be ready to drop off the car?
Will 4PM be sufficient due to the construction delays?
Should I take the shuttle bus to Terminal C? As it looks like "E" is kind of closed.
thank you in advance.
I’d drop the car a little earlier just to be sure. There’s no telling which terminal you’ll be at (B,C.E). To avoid construction congestion, Take the shuttle to Terminal B, clear security there, then take the sky train to C or E. That’s the elevated train that is within the secure area.
It’ll be much easier and faster to clear security at B because ALL of C and E pax are going through C. It’ll also avoid construction.
Feb 19, 2024, 9:56 am
#432
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,019
Saturday afternoon should be pretty slow.
I’d drop the car a little earlier just to be sure. There’s no telling which terminal you’ll be at (B,C.E). To avoid construction congestion, Take the shuttle to Terminal B, clear security there, then take the sky train to C or E. That’s the elevated train that is within the secure area.
It’ll be much easier and faster to clear security at B because ALL of C and E pax are going through C. It’ll also avoid construction.
I’d drop the car a little earlier just to be sure. There’s no telling which terminal you’ll be at (B,C.E). To avoid construction congestion, Take the shuttle to Terminal B, clear security there, then take the sky train to C or E. That’s the elevated train that is within the secure area.
It’ll be much easier and faster to clear security at B because ALL of C and E pax are going through C. It’ll also avoid construction.
I appreciate it. Will take the bus to B and then go from there.
Feb 19, 2024, 10:35 am
#433
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,970
To avoid construction congestion, Take the shuttle to Terminal B, clear security there, then take the sky train to C or E. That’s the elevated train that is within the secure area.
It’ll be much easier and faster to clear security at B because ALL of C and E pax are going through C. It’ll also avoid construction.
It’ll be much easier and faster to clear security at B because ALL of C and E pax are going through C. It’ll also avoid construction.
Feb 19, 2024, 10:40 am
#434
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,019
That's very good advice. IAH is my home airport, and for the last couple of years, I always check in at B, regardless of my actual departure terminal. It's better for several reasons: less road congestion due to construction, easier parking, and shorter check-in and security lines.
Feb 19, 2024, 11:12 am
#435
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Really hope they keep that connector tunnel post construction