United Airlines Announces $2.6 Billion Expansion at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport

United Airlines Announces $2.6 Billion Expansion at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Houston, Texas - United Airlines has unveiled a $2.6 billion project to renovate and expand Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. This ambitious initiative is part of United's broader United Next growth plan and is expected to significantly enhance the travel experience for passengers.

Project Highlights:

• The Terminal B expansion includes the addition of 40 gates to accommodate larger aircraft, allowing for a 40% increase in passenger capacity on peak travel dates by 2026 compared to 2023.
• The project will feature a three-level, 765,000 sq. ft. Terminal B North Concourse with 22 mainline, narrow-body gates.
• Terminal B South Concourse will be converted to 18 gates for larger, two-class regional jets, replacing 30 existing small regional jet gates.
• The expansion includes boarding via jet bridges for all flights, two major concessions hubs with over 115,000 sq. ft. of food and retail space, and a new, state-of-the-art baggage handling system equipped with advanced tracking technology.
• The project also encompasses expanded curbside and roadway capacity, including a traffic bypass between Terminals B and A, and a new sensory room for passengers with disabilities.

Economic and Employment Impact:

• United is the largest airline in Houston, with over 14,000 employees and 400 daily departures.
• The airline hired more than 2,100 people locally in 2023 and expects to add another 1,500 in 2024.
• The expansion is projected to create an additional 4,000 construction jobs.
• United's direct employment in Houston contributes to more than $1.2 billion in economic activity annually.

New United Club and Direct Service to Georgetown, Guyana:

• A new United Club, the largest in the system, is planned for Terminal B.
• United will be the first airline to offer non-stop service between Houston and Georgetown, Guyana, starting April 1, with four times weekly service on a Boeing 737-MAX 8 aircraft.

Innovative Baggage System:

• United previewed a new Early Bag Storage facility set to become fully operational in early 2024.
• The system can store over 3,300 trays of baggage, prioritizing release according to flight time for more efficient and dependable delivery.

Fleet Expansion:

• United's new Airbus A321neo took its inaugural flight from Houston on November 30.
• The A321neo features United's most advanced cabin interior, including Panasonic's new NEXT inflight entertainment system, United's new domestic first-class seat, larger overhead bins, high-speed Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and LED lighting.
• United expects to take delivery of about 800 new narrowbody and widebody aircraft between 2023 and the end of 2032.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner praised the expansion, highlighting United's commitment to the city's economic vitality and the growing demand for domestic and international travel. United CEO Scott Kirby emphasized that the expansion is part of United's commitment to improving customer experience and building careers in aviation.

The Terminal B Transformation Program, pending final approval from Houston's city council, is set to play a crucial role in accommodating the estimated 54 million future passengers annually traveling through the Houston hub.