United Opens New Concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport with More Gates, Local Restaurants and the Largest Airline Club in the Americas

The Terminal B transformation increases peak-date passenger capacity in 2026 by 40% compared with 2023.

Rhea-AI Summary

United (UAL) previewed its new Terminal B North Concourse at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, opening to the public October 22, 2026.

The three-level facility has 22 mainline gates and is the centerpiece of a $2.6 billion Terminal B Transformation Program. With South Concourse improvements, Terminal B will have 48 gates. The transformation increases peak-date passenger capacity in 2026 by 40% compared with 2023. North Concourse also includes a 54,000-square-foot United Club seating 800 travelers.

United’s 2026 domestic schedule from Houston offers nearly 17 million annual seats. New international services are planned to Tuxtla Gutiérrez later in October, Cartagena in December and Caracas in January, followed by a planned Chihuahua restart next spring. Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Caracas and Chihuahua service remains subject to government approval.

9 points · 0 major

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0 major · 1 point

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Peak-date passenger capacity increases 40% in 2026 compared with 2023 through the Terminal B transformation.
• Moderate point2026 Houston domestic schedule offers nearly 17 million annual seats, its largest schedule in over 10 years.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.22 new mainline gates expand North Concourse capacity for larger aircraft and additional seats.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.26 South Concourse gates receive upgrades accommodating larger regional aircraft and additional jet bridge access.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Ten new domestic cities joined United’s network this year; United plans continued growth in 2027.

4 minor points

• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Houston–Tuxtla Gutiérrez service is planned to launch later in October, subject to government approval.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Houston–Cartagena nonstop service is planned to begin in December.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Houston–Caracas service is planned to begin in January, subject to government approval.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Houston–Chihuahua service is planned to restart next spring, subject to government approval.

Negative

• Minor pointGovernment approval remains pending for the planned Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Caracas and Chihuahua services.

Key Figures

North Concourse gates: 22 mainline gates Concourse area: 765,000 square feet Terminal B transformation program: $2.6B +5 more

North Concourse gates

22 mainline gates

New Terminal B North Concourse

Concourse area

765,000 square feet

New Terminal B North Concourse

Terminal B transformation program

$2.6B

Broader program centered on the new concourse

Terminal B gates

48 gates

After improvements to the South Concourse

Peak-date customer capacity increase

40%

2026 compared with 2023

United Club area

54,000 square feet

New Terminal B North Club

United Club seating

800 people

New Terminal B North Club

Public art program

$16.8 million

Terminal B public art investment

Key Terms

leed gold certification, ground support equipment, pre-conditioned air systems

3 terms

leed gold certification technical

"is pursuing LEED Gold Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council's"

LEED Gold certification is a widely recognized green building rating that signals a property meets high standards for energy efficiency, water use, indoor air quality, and materials — like an energy-star label for an entire building. For investors, it matters because certified buildings typically cost less to operate, attract and retain tenants more easily, and can face lower regulatory and resale risks, which can improve long-term returns.

ground support equipment technical

"including 91 ground support equipment charging stations"

Ground support equipment (GSE) is the collection of vehicles, machines and tools used to service aircraft and spacecraft while they are on the ground — for example tugs, fuel trucks, power units, stairs, baggage loaders and air conditioning carts. Investors care because GSE is essential for safe, on-time operations and affects operating costs, capital spending and asset utilization; like a company’s toolbox and charging stations, it keeps flights running and revenue flowing.

pre-conditioned air systems technical

"electric ground power units, and pre-conditioned air systems"

Ground equipment that supplies temperature‑controlled, filtered air to an aircraft while it is on the ground so the cabin and avionics can be kept at a comfortable and safe condition without running the aircraft’s engines or auxiliary power unit. A pre‑conditioned air (PCA) system can be a mobile cart or a fixed airport unit; it connects to the aircraft through a duct or adaptor and provides cooled, heated, and dehumidified air to the aircraft’s environmental control inlets. It is distinct from the aircraft’s onboard environmental control system because it operates only on the ground and depends on external power and conditioning units rather than the aircraft’s own compressors and packs.

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Terminal B North features three-levels and 765,000-sq-ft with 22 mainline gates offering customers more seats on larger, more modern aircraft to destinations across the country and around the world

New concourse also includes a 54,000-sq-ft United Club^SM with seating for 800 people, an outdoor terrace and panoramic views of the airfield

The terminal features the largest public art program to date at IAH with 10 major art installations inspired by Houston's bayou ecosystem, cultural diversity, history, and innovation

The terminal offers family-friendly amenities such as a soft play area, sensory room, comfortable seating options, and 11 sets of restrooms

Travelers will find Houston favorites like B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Rosie Cannonball, Pizaro's Pizza, Blood Bros. BBQ, Katz Coffee and Blue Bell Creameries

As the largest airline in Houston – 14,000+ employees and 500+ daily departures – United has invested more than $3.5 billion in IAH since 2015

HOUSTON, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United today previewed its new Terminal B North Concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a three-level, 765,000 square-foot, 22 mainline gate facility that opens to the public tomorrow.

Terminal B North also includes a huge, 54,000-sq-ft United Club – the largest club of any airline in the Americas – with seating for 800 people, an outdoor terrace and panoramic views of the airfield.

The terminal design creates a sense of openness with soaring ceilings, expansive gathering spaces and sweeping airfield views and the public spaces feature 10 different art installations inspired by Houston's bayous, cultural diversity, innovation and global connections, as well as a dedicated sensory room for travelers.

"I want our customers to start their vacation the minute they show up at the airport and Terminal B North sets a new standard for facilities across the country," said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. "Houston is great example of our focus on the overall customer experience – yes, we're investing in new aircraft, products and technology here, but we're also focused on improving the infrastructure, building new concourses, baggage systems and training and maintenance facilities for our employees."

Travelers will find new retail, concession and restaurant options including Houston favorites like B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Rosie Cannonball, Pizaro's Pizza, Blood Bros. BBQ, Katz Coffee and Blue Bell Creameries.

United is the largest airline in Houston, with more than 14,000 employees and 500 daily departures, and has invested more than $3.5 billion in the city's airport since 2015.

The new concourse, replacing facilities dating back to 1969, is the centerpiece of United's broader $2.6B Terminal B Transformation Program. Together with improvements to the Terminal B South Concourse, United will have 48 gates in Terminal B. Every United flight operating from the Terminal B North Concourse will board through a jet bridge, delivering more convenience to travelers. The transformation also increases the overall number of customers who can fly on peak travel dates in 2026 by 40% compared to 2023, while building on United's broader investment in Houston facilities and employees.

Operational Excellence and Modern Infrastructure

The new Terminal B is engineered to accommodate United's growing fleet and support a seamless customer journey. Key infrastructure highlights include:

• 22 new mainline gates in the North Concourse: The gates are designed for narrow-body aircraft and provide larger seating and boarding areas.
• 26 gates in the South Concourse: Upgrades to the Terminal B South Concourse include accommodations for larger regional aircraft, additional jet bridge access, and other customer-focused enhancements
• Jet bridges for every United flight in North Concourse: All United flights operating from Terminal B North use jet bridges, providing a climate-controlled connection between the terminal and aircraft.
• Advanced baggage technology: A new baggage handling system includes tracking technology designed to support the terminal's increased capacity.
• Expanded airport access: Includes additional curbside and roadway capacity, a ground-level check-in area and a traffic bypass between Terminals B and A.

Latin America Gateway and a Record-Size Domestic Network

From IAH, United serves 65 international destinations across the globe. With 57 international destinations within Latin America and the Caribbean, United offers more destinations to the region than from any other hub in its network, including destinations that no other U.S. airline serves. Domestically, 2026 represents United's largest schedule in over 10 years, with nearly 17M annual seats for both Houston residents and visitors as well as international connecting customers. This year, United added ten new cities to its domestic network including Hartford, Connecticut, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Burlington, Vermont, and Spokane, Washington and will continue to grow in 2027.

This winter, United is adding three new international destinations from IAH, enabled by the continued growth of the airline in Houston. Later this month, United will launch new service to Tuxtla Gutiérrez* from Houston, giving the Mexican city its only nonstop international connection. In December, United will become the first U.S. airline to offer nonstop service between Houston and Cartagena, Colombia, and in January United will connect Houston with Caracas, Venezuela*.  Together, these new routes strengthen Houston's role as an important global hub and a key gateway to Latin America, connecting travelers with places that have historically been harder to reach from the United States.

The redeveloped Terminal B gives United greater flexibility to grow its Houston network. With 22 new mainline gates in the North Concourse, United can now accommodate larger aircraft and add seats to markets where demand is strongest. The South Concourse has also been reconfigured to better accommodate larger, two-class regional aircraft, enhancing connectivity across United's network. This added flexibility is creating opportunities for future growth, including the plans to restart of service between Houston and Chihuahua, Mexico (CUU)* next spring, further expanding travel options for customers and strengthening Houston's role as a leading gateway to Mexico and Latin America.  

The Largest Airline Club in the Americas

The redeveloped Terminal B North includes the largest United Club and largest airline club across North and South America. Located on the mezzanine level, the 54,000-square-foot club features panoramic views of the airfield and expanded space for customers to dine, work or relax before their flights.

With seating for 800 travelers, the expansive club offers more space, comfort and convenience, including a 1,350-square-foot outdoor terrace. Customers can enjoy two full-service bars, two buffet stations, eleven private phone rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets throughout the club, whether they're looking to relax, work or recharge before their flight.

Inspired by Houston's distinctive spirit, the club's design captures the feeling of traveling from the city to the sky, blending elements of the local cityscape and bayou landscape with nods to Houston's legacy as a center of aerospace innovation and cultural diversity. The space features a curated collection of artwork from predominantly Texas-based artists, including photography by a San Antonio-based United employee.

The new club builds on United's growing lounge portfolio at IAH, following the February 2025 opening of United Club Fly on the south side of Terminal B. Designed for travelers on the go, United Club Fly offers self-scan entry and a convenient selection of fresh food, snacks, beverages and barista-made coffee to take to their gates. With the opening of the new Terminal B North club, United has seven club and lounge locations across IAH, including United Club Fly and the United Polaris® lounge.

Customers can access United Club locations through a United Club membership, eligible United credit cards or select premium cabin tickets.

A Sense of Discovery

Terminal B North was designed to elevate the entire experience of getting customers from curb to gate:

• Houston-Inspired Art: A $16.8 million public art program creates a distinct Houston experience for travelers, including 10 large-scale installations from Houston-based, national and international artists selected from nearly 150 submissions across Houston, the United States and Europe. The Terminal B public art program is the single largest art program investment at IAH to date.
  • Inspired by Houston's bayous, ecosystem, cultural diversity, history and innovation, the artworks are integrated throughout the terminal's public spaces, concourses and baggage claim areas. 
  • Highlights include The Digital Bayou, a series of three immersive digital art experiences created by Moment Factory, a new commission from internationally recognized Houston artist Rick Lowe and reimagined mosaic murals by Houston artist Dixie Friend Gay. Unique sculptural artworks by artists Karen Navarro, Shavon Aja Morris, Rachel Hecker, Matthew Mazzotta, and Edra Soto can also be found throughout the terminal.
• A More Inclusive Customer Experience: Designed to create a more inclusive customer experience, Terminal B features a dedicated sensory room for travelers with autism and sensory sensitivities.
  • Located in the connector area and separate from the children's play area, the calming space gives children and adults a place to step away from the airport environment and engage with sensory experiences they can control.
  • Building on sensory rooms in Terminals A and D, the new space includes tactile, auditory, visual and multisensory features such as an airplane experience room, sitting pods, interactive activity panels, a nature room, a fiber-optic stargazer ceiling and a bubble tube area.
• Built Toward LEED Certification: As part of United's commitment to sustainable development, the new IAH Terminal B North Concourse is pursuing LEED Gold Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED v4 Building Design and Construction program.
  • The terminal incorporates a wide range of sustainable design features, including a projected 29% reduction in energy costs, significant (more than 35%) indoor water-use reductions, advanced energy and water metering, enhanced indoor air quality strategies, heat island reduction measures, light pollution reduction, and dedicated recycling collection systems.
  • The project also features extensive electrification infrastructure, including 91 ground support equipment charging stations, electric ground power units, and pre-conditioned air systems to support lower-emission airport operations.

World-Class Dining and Retail

United selected a world-class lineup of dining and retail partners for the new space, dedicating more than 105,000 square feet to retail and concessions that reflect Houston's status as a culinary capital.

The Concourse features local concepts that reflect the culinary diversity of Houston alongside trusted national brands including:

• Houston Favorites: B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Rosie Cannonball, Pizaro's Pizza, Blood Bros. BBQ, Katz Coffee and Blue Bell Creameries.
• National Brands: Starbucks, Raising Cane's, Jimmy John's, Jersey Mike's, Smashburger, Jamba, Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon and Protein Bar & Kitchen.
• Wellness and Retail: Be Relax Spa, offering massages, nail care and facials, sits alongside high-end duty-free and specialty retail shops.

Later this year, United plans to introduce food delivery through the United app at IAH, giving eligible customers a new way to order food, beverages and select travel essentials before their flight. Customers will be able to browse participating restaurants, place an order directly through the app and pick it up near their gate, or have it delivered to them, making it easier to grab a meal or essential item when time is limited. The service is designed to complement the expanded dining options in Terminal B and help create a more seamless airport experience from curb to gate.

United's Continued Investment in Houston

The Terminal B transformation has supported employment and economic activity across the Houston region with approximately 3,000 construction-related jobs, while partnering with 308 Houston-based suppliers. According to a recent study by Compass Lexecon, United's direct employment in Houston contributes more than $1.2 billion in economic activity annually.

 "The opening of the Terminal B north concourse strengthens one of Houston's most important transportation and economic assets," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire. "This investment supports jobs, expands the airport's capacity and gives residents and visitors a modern facility that represents the scale and ambition of our city."

United's $3.5 billion investment in Houston includes a $16 million Technical Operations Training Center at IAH, a $177 million Ground Service Equipment Maintenance Facility designed to support both employees and the airline's fleet and the transformation of Terminal B.

*Subject to government approval

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

 

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SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

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When does United’s new Terminal B North Concourse at Houston IAH open?

United’s Terminal B North Concourse opens to the public on October 22, 2026. The three-level, 765,000-square-foot facility has 22 mainline gates and replaces facilities dating back to 1969.

How much capacity does United’s Houston Terminal B transformation add?

The transformation increases the number of customers who can fly on peak travel dates in 2026 by 40% compared with 2023. Terminal B will have 48 gates, comprising 22 mainline gates in the North Concourse and 26 gates in the South Concourse.