All you need to know to make your CONNECTION at HOUSTON IAH with United (same for any US airport)

[@tykiralashae]

I watched 12 videos w/a bunch of nothing UNTIL YOURS. Short, clear & easy. Thank you😊

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@rubenramirez313]

I'm flying back home to NYC next month on United from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and connecting in Houston. PVR to LGA with connection in IAH. This video was very helpful and very informative. Thank You for making this video

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I’m glad it was useful!

[@Tyt686]

As a person living in houston and constantly traveling, I find this very relatable 😅

[@Someone09938]

I did this trip yesterday SAP-IAH- Frankfurt and I was stressed bc of this video and my tight layover but my bag was delivered directly to frankfurt without having to collect and recheck anything.

[@kellythomas6536]

Very similar to my experience in Chicago coming back from Scotland. I must reiterate make sure you have at least two hours of time if you have to go through customs before your connection.

[@robertmartin3490]

Bush Intercontinental is one of my favorite airports to connect at because I love riding these airport trains.

[@PenguinInguinLodge]

Nice to see a review of my home airport! I work in the airline industry and I can share some stats with you since you mentioned connecting and international traffic. Of United's passengers through Houston Bush, 45% start or end their journey in Houston and 55% are connecting passengers (rounded). That is similar to their hubs in Chicago and Denver. Houston is the 8th largest O&D international market in the United States excluding connecting traffic. Top 10 are: NYC, LA, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Orlando, Houston, Las Vegas, and Honolulu. Atlanta, Seattle, and Dallas are next.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Thanks a lot for the information! I really thought connecting traffic was more than 55%. I clearly underestimated Houston, my bad!

[@PenguinInguinLodge]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb No worries at all! Houston is a very ethnically diverse and big business city but it is not a tourist city so a lot of times people don't think about it as a destination.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

To be honest, if there had been a chance to make a stopover for a day, I would have taken it. There surely is something interesting to do in such a big city, and after all, it’s adding a new place to the list as well!

[@PenguinInguinLodge]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb well, the name I’m commenting by is my real name. I’m on Facebook and LinkedIn. You can shoot me a message next time you pass through Houston and if the layover is long enough I can show you around a bit.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Don’t know when I’ll have the chance to be back in Houston, but I’ll try to remember this! Appreciate it very much!

[@brendasarahi14]

Your video helped me a lot I was scared of getting lost at the airport. I apreciate it 🙏🏻

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@zerbina]

Great and comprehensive info. Thanks! it was just what I was looking for.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I’m glad it’s useful!

[@autrybelljr]

United Also flies out of Terminal A and arrives at Terminal D on some international flights.

[@eduardosantiago9372]

Thanks so much! Very helpful.

[@tats6131]

Just what i was looking for!

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I’m glad it helped!

[@frankreese6776]

I live in Houston if your arrival flight is at terminal C and you have to go to terminal E you do not have to take the train terminal C is connect to E I know I walked it

[@ProudTexan315]

Welcome to Humble!

[@behnoud_alg]

I have just 1 hour time to cath my next flight. Do you think I can catch the other flight? (terminal B to terminal E) and should I myself move my luggage again in that airport? I don't have time! As I have seen, all luggages are dropped off at the first airport and are gotten at the destination airport.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

If you are arriving on an international flight, you will have to take your bags and drop them off again. This doesn’t take more than 2 minutes though. If you are connecting from a domestic flight, your luggage will go straight to your final destination. An hour should be fine for a domestic connection, but not sure if you are arriving from abroad. In that case, it will depend on how many people you find at the passport control.

[@RedroomStudios]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb I really think you are missing some important facts here... I am in the same situation as this person. but I know that I have pre-clearance for US customs in Canada before I board my first flight. but why would an airline sell tickets for connecting flights with only 1 hour between them if they expect people to go through immigration, collect their luggage and go through security again... it simply isnt possible.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

It is possible indeed. Make sure you check that. It does not apply to you because your trip is originating in Canada, where you can pre-clear everything. Coming in from any other country where you can’t do that in advance, you’ll have to do everything I mentioned, and that is where 1-hour connections become very tight.

[@RedroomStudios]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb but again I ask you... why would airlines schedule and sell flights that connect through the US with such short layover times? surely it would be a massive problem for them with people missing flights constantly. no way in the world could anyone go out through immigration, get their bag and check back in that fast. you need to provide more details about your flights. were they purchased as part f a single trip or separately? on the same airline or different airlines. I think the fact that you were connecting to another US city as your end destination would be the reason why you had to do it. I cant see it for someone who is only connecting in the US to a 3rd country on a trip purchased all as a single ticket.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

In the United States there is no such ‘transit passenger’. If you are entering the country, no matter where you arrive from, you have to clear customs. It doesn’t vary with the ticket either. Airlines sell those connections because ultimately they can book you in another flight if you don’t make it. And about the luggage, I’ve always had to re-drop it off during my connections arriving from abroad. That’s just part of the connecting process and does not take more than 5 minutes; it’s not that you have to go out of the airport or anything; you just follow the ‘connecting flights’ sign once you’ve picked your bags and you’ll find a few counters to drop them off again. I don’t know if it’s like that in every other case, but I had certainly missed the situation for Canadians who pre-clear everything before the flight, and so it basically works like a connection coming from a domestic flight.

[@HTV_Driving]

Hey! Thanks for this video! just a question. Do you always have to check in your bag again? i bought a ticket to mexico city with united airlines. does it not go to the other plane automatically?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

It depends on where you are coming from. You only have to do so if you are arriving on an international flight, as far as I’m concerned. In any case, it takes no time at all to re-drop them off; it’s just a minute.

[@Koh_Scoot]

Hi, thank you for your informative video. I have a 1hr 15 international transfer at IAH. Flying in from UK on UK passport, and flying out to costa rica. I only have hand luggage - do i still need to go through customs/security etc? I'm worried whether 1hr 15 transfer is enough time. Both my flights are with United Airlines and I believe they both arrive/depart from the same terminal

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I believe you still have to go through all the process. No matter if you are not staying in the States, you still have to enter the country. There’s no transit connection as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, if you’re booked with United, if you happen to lose your flight, they will have to find you a place in the following one.

[@RedroomStudios]

I'm in a similar situation coming from Canada, but we have US Customs clearance in our airports here before we even board the first flight to Houston. not sure if the UK has a similar set up but it could. assuming both your flights on with the same airline... I only have 1 hour between flights so I can only assume that they have left enough time between the 2 flights they sold me as part of one ticket.

[@jmtolentino12]

Love it, I have a connection to that airport, with 4 hours of waiting time, I would like to know if I can get out of the airport a buy a few electronics from Bestbuy....any ideas on what's the best plan of action? Thank you for the video

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

No idea to be honest, but I’m pretty sure that 4 hours won’t be enough to get out of the airport, head to the city and then come back to check-in and go through security again. I wouldn’t risk it.

[@victoriaoconnor7625]

Do you think 4 hours is a do-able layover time on an international transfer in general?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

If you mean connection time, 4 hours should be more than enough. If you are planning to go out of the airport, I wouldn’t do it.

[@michaelwilliams4844]

I live in the area of Bush Airport, and there is a Best Buy about 10 minutes away, with no traffic. With that being said, traffic has a way of happening at all hours of the day around that area, especially with a hospital, schools, and a mall all in the same general area. I would not take a chance on it, especailly when you figure in the amount of time, it takes to deplane, get your luggage, and the 30 minutes ahead you have to be at your connecting flight.

[@Thebonnieluurve]

Thanks for this video! I’m flying to Cancun from London with a stopover in IAH - in your opinion is 2hours enough time for connection? And will have to re-check my baggage manually?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Depends on how many people you find at the passport control. It should be enough though. You’ll have to take your luggage and drop it off again, but the airline personnel will do it for you. You just have to walk towards the ‘Connecting Flights’ sign once you take your bags and follow the process.

[@mumblebrain]

After dropping off your bag is there a way to leave the airport to come back later - we have a 9hour layover and would like to go to a hotel to sleep/shower etc

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Once you drop off your bags I’m pretty sure you must go through security, which means you can’t go out. Unless you stay at an airport hotel, which I don’t know what the situation is at IAH, whether there are any hotels inside the airport, you will have to either go with your luggage or leave it in a locker. Most big airports have these for people in your situation to leave their bags and go out during long connections.

[@nrg_runs]

Very helpful video, thanks. If flying in internationally, do you think two hours to get a connecting flight is too tight? Likely to arrive early evening in November...

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I had about 2 hours and got quite tight… it always depends on how many people you find at the passport control. However, I believe 2 hours is a decent connection time if there are no issues along the way.

[@nrg_runs]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb Thanks for the quick reply... almost ready to book a trip to Guatemala 🎉 And that’s what I was thinking - doable but a risk! Keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Good luck with it! Thanks!

[@milibevilacqua1]

Hi! Sorry for bother but I’ve just wondering, in the return to your country flight, you need to do all the process again? I mean, the drop on and off luggage? Thanks!

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Hey! You only need to pick your luggage upon entry into the United States. Therefore, if you are connecting from an international flight, you will have to do it. However, if you are returning to your country from another point in the US, you won’t have to pick your luggage nor go through security. You will just have to go straight to your connecting flight’s gate. Hope this helps!

[@Someone09938]

do they just scan your luggage and that's it or do you go through the whole process of checking in again?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

They just scan it. No paperwork whatsoever.

[@faithlove4680]

Going from Detroit to Houston, having 1 1/2 hour to connect to go to Panama city, panama (via United Airlines), and first time in this airport, will I have plenty time to get to the gate to Panama on time?, and to get to this gate, do I have to take trains? Thank u x your attention

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Don’t know if you’ll have to take the train, but you should be fine with time!

[@tinaphuong4870]

that's what i was looking for! In my case, i have international flight out of The US and travel domestics leg first by United Airlines ( code share) from Washington Dulles to Houston airport, so as you mentioned no need to pick up my checked baggage and re-check in at Houston? Just go through the security check, Am i correct? Thank you

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I’m glad you found it useful! If you are connecting from a domestic flight, all you’ll need to do at IAH is head to your connecting flight’s gate! Security check is only needed when you arrive from an international flight.

[@ushamaharaj2717]

When connecting from Trinidad to Houston and then to Calgary, do I use Terminal E?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

It actually depends on where your inbound flight arrives and where the outbound flight departs from. Therefore, there’s a chance you might transfer through Terminal E. Anyway, all the concourses are connected.

[@ronjayzapanta9887]

Question: a family my of 5 will have a domestic flight with a layover of 1hr 2mins. From C to B terminals. Wilk that be possible? Taking account there are skytrains

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

It’s tight. However, if the flight arrives on time, you should be fine.

[@ronjayzapanta9887]

Forgot to tell you this is from domestic to domestic not international. Thanks for the commenr

[@noblebear537]

Thank you

[@nico_nuez6314]

I’m flying from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico, but have a stop at this airport, so the only thing I would have to worry about is finding the gate to my connecting flight?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Yes!

[@nico_nuez6314]

Thank you!

[@maryjomjtullo6763]

I only have an hour and ten minutes for international... Will I be screwed?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

If you are coming on an international flight, it will be tight. Not because of the transit but because of the time it might take you to clear the passport control. In my experience, it took us an hour. However, it will probably depend on the time of the day you arrive.

[@Koh_Scoot]

Hi, just a follow up to this - was this enough connection time for you? I have a 1hr 15m connection and wondering if it's long enough.

[@RedroomStudios]

not if both tickets were bought from the same airline as a single trip. there is no way in the world they could schedule like this and expect people to exit through immigration ad collect their luggage and then re-enter. I have done this dozens of times flying in from Canada and continuing on to a 3rd country or a domestic US destination. never had to exit from the secured area and my bags were transferred to the next flight by the airline.

[@suganyajeyaprakash1783]

Sir, Can u please clarify my doubt? I underwent surgery so couldn't lift heavy objects and also gonna travel with 2 kids...I am travelling from India and houston is my port of entry. For collecting checkin luggages and to dropoff for connecting domestic flight, can i get porter assistance? in terminal E baggage area? Or any help possible through airport service?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Not really sure if there are any assistance services, but you can definitely ask either airline or airport personnel to help you out with the bags.

[@24carlosalvarez]

Hi! Soon I will be traveling to Alaska and the first stop is on this airport, I'm traveling from another country, so if I purchase a ticket from United Airlines and it will be for both, the first and the connection flight, will I need to claim my luggage on this stop? I thought they will handle that since I'm using the same ticket/airline for the 2nd flight.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Upon arrival into the US from another country, at any airport, you are usually instructed to pick your luggage and drop it off again if you have a domestic connection. Not sure if that’s also the case when you are connecting internationally. You will probably have to do so, as your connection will be domestic, but don’t worry. It doesn’t take more than two minutes.

[@RedroomStudios]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb as I stated in my previous comment, I dont believe this is the case for Canadians who have US pre-clearance in their own airports before they board the flight to the US. I have done this countless times, whether continuing on to other US domestic flights or international flights and never had to collect my luggage and go through immigration again.

[@JaguarE-mm9be]

I am flying from Germany to Houston and landing in Terminal D and then have to catch my flight to Costa Rica in Terminal C. I have 2 hours transfer time. is that possible?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

It depends on how many people you find at the passport control upon entry to the US, but 2 hours should be enough.

[@sharankaur5597]

If I am flying into Houston from vegas and Houston is my transit point to Mexico - do I clear immigration only at vegas?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

There are no immigration checks upon departure from the US.

[@sterc2271]

if i am flying from Gulfport to London Heathrow stopping at Houston do i need to pick up my luggage and do anything with it ?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

The first being a domestic flight, you won’t have to do anything with it. Just walk straight to your departure gate!

[@danielachian3860]

I’ll do a connecting flight at this airport from Lima, Peru and I have like 4hrs and 30min, should it be enough? because I know they are doing some construction at the airport right now.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

4 hours and a half should be more than enough for a connection as far as I’m concerned.

[@tylerrobb937]

Houston being the fourth largest city in the us, it most likley is a destination

[@sagarpatel6889]

Hello I’m arriving on Terminal D and then have to go to C for my connecting flight to Nashville. Do I have to go through security, customs and immigration?

[@sagarpatel6889]

If Yes do you know how long it will take to clear everything?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Only if you are arriving on an international flight. The time it takes to clear everything depends on the day!

[@RedroomStudios]

I dont think this information is correct for Canadian travelers who do US Customs clearance in Canada before boarding their flight to the US. I have done this many times in the past for different trips and never had to collect my luggage and go through immigration again at the US airport. I have a connecting flight (both on United) in Houston, continuing on to Panama City and there is only 1 hour between my flights which were purchased as part of the same ticket. I am arriving to Terminal C and need to get to Terminal E to catch the next flight. surely there must be another route for pre-cleared connecting travelers. I will have to see another video about the shuttle between terminals.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

For Canadian travelers who clear US Customs in Canada, any connection works as a domestic connection as far as I understand. That is to say, you’ll just have to get off the plane and walk to your connecting flight’s gate.

[@keishamorales8231]

sir I have a question , I have cases lost luggage I don't know. if you need to pick up again your luggage after your scanning machine ,. because after I put into scanning I go direct to my connecting flight

[@keishamorales8231]

when I arrive to Miami . I don't find my luggage

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Didn’t quite understand your question. When you arrive into the States, you must pick your luggage and drop it off again. Once you’ve done that, you can head to your connecting flight.

[@angerh238]

So basically the luggage doesn't go to the connecting flight automatically.

[@saisandeep8741]

I will be travelling from corpus to houston ,and i have a connecting flight from Houston to Germany,i have about 1hour 5 minutes layover in houston ,can i make it

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

If you arrive on time, it should be enough time to make it to your departure gate.

[@RedroomStudios]

this is insane and makes no sense. on a previous comment you just stated there are no immigration checks upon departure from the US.

[@dmay545]

IAH handles almost 50million passengers annually. U must be using covid year numbers when passenger numbers were down worldwide.

[@lunanera5736]

But If I have a conexion with aircanada, I know I don't have to take my luggage...

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

I honestly don’t know. As far as I’m concerned, every time you enter the US and have a connection you need to take your luggage and drop it off again. There might be special cases but I’m not aware of them.

[@RedroomStudios]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb not true... at least for Canadians. and the only time I ever heard of going out through immigration and getting your luggage and then returning for a connecting flight is if you bought the 2 tickets separately and they are on different airlines. there is no way that you buy a ticket with a short layover of 1 hour and you have to do what you described. why would the airline sell such a ticket? on my flight into Houston I am in row 32 of my flight. it is going to take me 15-20 minutes just to get off that plane.

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

My mistake with flights coming from Canada, but that is an exception. Every time you enter the United States not having pre-cleared customs, you have to follow the procedure I mentioned. I’ve entered multiple times and that has always been the case. Canadians can avoid it just because they have the chance to do so before they even board the plane.

[@crashers17]

What about customs?

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

Only on international arrivals. You pick your luggage, go through customs and drop it off again. However, I don’t think we went through customs though, so I’m not really sure.

[@crashers17]

@@flyingaroundtheworldytb okay thank you. I'm flying international tomorrow and I'm really confused.

[@eidenyn6832]

i’m arriving around 8PM on a thursday, deos someone know if there are a lot of people at that time? 🫢

[@flyingaroundtheworldytb]

At a hub like IAH there’s people 24/7! If you meant to ask if there will be a lot of people at the immigration control, I wouldn’t think so, but you never know.