Thank you for choosing to fly with United.
The entire United team is committed to investing in the communities we operate in around the globe and continuing our work to bring exciting customer upgrades across our network to make sure you have the best travel experience.
A great example of this work is in Houston, one of our largest hubs. As part of our overall growth plan, we are investing more than $2 billion to improve the airport experience and increase the number of passengers we’ll carry from this Texas hub.
A key part of this work is upgrading Terminal B, including converting 40 gates to accommodate larger aircraft. This means we can carry even more passengers out of Houston on our nonstop flights to more than 160 domestic and international destinations, including Brazil, Australia, Chile, Peru, and our newest route: Georgetown, Guyana, where we’re proud to be the first airline to offer nonstop service. By 2026, Houston will see a 40 percent increase in the overall number of people who can fly on the most traveled days, compared to 2023. The city of Houston is planning to open a new concourse in April 2024; once it’s complete, United will operate from five new narrowbody gates on that concourse.
To support larger aircraft, we had to completely reimagine every aspect of the passenger journey in Terminal B to accommodate the increased number of passengers who will enjoy the space. Our designs deliver an enhanced experience, with a new ticketing lobby that seamlessly flows into a spacious security checkpoint that has ample room to collect belongings. The departure gate concourses will have over 115,000 square feet of state-of-the-art concessions hubs, new and modern restroom facilities, relaxation zones, and art displays. If that isn’t enough, we are planning for a new United Club that will be the largest one in our system (in addition to the eight new United clubs that have opened throughout our network in the last two years).
We have also done a lot of work behind the scenes at Houston to improve your travel experience. Earlier this year, we launched a new Early Baggage System (EBS). One of only two airline-operated systems of its kind in the world—and the only one that currently exists in North America—the EBS can house more than 3,300 pieces of luggage at a time for passengers who are arriving early, are experiencing long layovers, or are there in times of irregular operations. The new system has a remarkable 40-bags-per-minute throughput and is designed to increase efficiency and accuracy of baggage delivery, ensuring that your bags arrive with you.
As a part of this redevelopment project, we have been working with leading construction partners to ensure your journey to the airport is improved. United is one of the city’s largest employers, and our more than 14,000 employees who call Houston home know firsthand how traffic can impact travelers at IAH. We are dedicated to addressing roadway congestion through sophisticated modeling efforts to minimize construction impacts.
I’m thrilled to see the developments underway in Houston, as they are a testament to the improvements we’re making for you, our customers. The new amenities, cutting-edge technology, and expansion included in this redevelopment project mean that flying United signifies embarking on a redefined travel experience.
Toby Enqvist,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, United Airlines
