Welcome toGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport

The gate area at A29 looked different on Saturday morning. Snowflakes hung from the ceiling. Wrapped presents lined the walls. Santa, Mrs. Claus and a team of cheerful elves filled space at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). But the moment belonged to six wagging tails wearing red vests and holiday flair.For the fourth consecutive year, the Houston Airports Therapy Dog Program partnered with American Airlines and the Gary Sinise Foundation to welcome Gold Star families traveling through Bush Airport for Snowball Express, an annual retreat designed to support the children and spouses of fallen U.S. military heroes.Thirty-four family members boarded Houston’s Snowball Express flight on Dec. 6, joining more than 1,600 relatives traveling from 21 cities across the country for a week of remembrance at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.At IAH, the send-off was personal. Volunteers, airline staff and airport employees lined the gate area. TSA officers stopped for photos. Ramp crews waved from outside. Therapy dogs met families at every turn, offering comfort in a moment charged with emotion.“This event means everything to our team,” said Ella Ghica, manager of Volunteer Initiatives for Houston Airports. “We bring our therapy dogs all over the airport year-round, but Snowball Express is different. These families have carried unimaginable loss. If our dogs can give even one moment of relief or a smile that lifts the weight, then we’ve done our job.”Children gravitated to the dogs. Some knelt to pet golden coats and soft curls. Others hugged tightly or traced the names on each dog’s red bandana. The dogs responded with patience and calm.The morning carried a rhythm of celebration: live saxophone music echoing through the gate, volunteers tossing faux snowballs, airline crews snapping photos before escorting families outside to the aircraft. Santa and Mrs. Claus walked each group to the jet bridge, waving until the last passenger boarded. “This is what Houston-friendly hospitality looks like,” Ghica said. “It’s about showing up with compassion. It’s about creating a space where these families feel seen and supported from the moment they step into our airport.”On the ramp, therapy dogs and volunteers gathered as the American Airlines A320 prepared for departure.Snowball Express is more than a flight. It is a tribute to sacrifice and a moment of support for those who carry its weight. This year, six Houston Airports therapy dogs offered support by being present when families needed it most.

Travelers walking through George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) this year may not know what changed, but they can see it — in the reflection of the overhead lights, in the clean sweep of the concourse and in the unexpected brightness beneath their feet.What they’re noticing is the result of a quiet transformation. In 2025, Houston Airports completed a large-scale transition to diamond pad floor polishing across Terminal A and portions of Terminals D and E, covering more than 800,000 square feet of high-traffic flooring. What began as a challenge to rethink routine maintenance grew into one of the clearest signs of progress inside the airport.Diamond pads use an ultra-fine abrasive surface to mechanically polish flooring without chemicals. The pads remove dirt, grime and old floor wax. The process increases shine, improves slip resistance and significantly reduces long-term costs. The custodial team now measures the finish with a gloss meter — a tool that quantifies how much light the floor reflects and helps teams maintain a consistent glow throughout the terminal.The result is a brighter, more polished environment that passengers notice immediately, even if they can’t pinpoint why.“This was a challenge I set for our custodial team, and they delivered,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “They found a smarter, greener way to do the work. By switching to diamond pads, we eliminated chemical use, improved safety and created a shine you can see the moment you walk into Terminal A. You can now see the reflection of the lights on our floors.”For the custodial division, the shift was more than a technical upgrade. It was a moment of ownership — a chance to reimagine a daily task and, in doing so, elevate the entire passenger experience.Houston Airports is seeing a clear return on this shift. What once required eight hours a night, five nights a week — roughly 260 nights a year — in Terminal A alone has been cut nearly in half. Crews now polish floors only two to three nights a week, about 156 nights a year. The overhead cost has dropped by $150,000 annually.By eliminating the old wax-and-strip cycle, custodial teams are no longer tied to labor-intensive overnight work and can redirect their time to high-impact projects across the terminals.The initiative, highlighted during the 2025 State of the Airports on Dec. 5, reflects the airport system’s broader effort to modernize infrastructure in both large and small ways. From major terminal expansions to everyday improvements that shape the look and feel of a place, the organization is investing in a cleaner, more efficient and more welcoming experience for the millions of travelers who move through IAH each year.“Sometimes the most meaningful upgrades aren’t the ones overhead,” said Szczesniak. “They’re the ones underfoot. And now, at IAH, they shine.”

Frequently Asked QuestionsTSA screening at IAH during the government shutdownHouston Airports is sharing answers to the most common questions received from passengers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Although the federal government shutdown has ended, TSA is still working to resume normal operations. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work closely with our federal partners to keep passengers moving safely and efficiently.Why are TSA lines longer than normal?The federal government shutdown affectied TSA staffing and resources nationwide. Although the federal government shutdown has ended, TSA is still working to resume normal operations. Some security lanes are operating with fewer officers than usual, which can result in longer screening times—especially during peak travel periods.What are the current TSA wait times at Bush Airport?TSA wait times vary by terminal and can change shift by shift as federal employees work to resume normal operations now that the federal government shutdown has ended. Wait times can fluctuate depending on passenger volumes and staffing levels.For estimated security wait times, visit www.fly2houston.com/iah/securityWhat if I don’t need to check luggage?Passengers not checking bags can check in at Terminals A or E and proceed through security. Follow estimated TSA wait times at fly2houston.com/iah/security before arriving.Are food, coffee and shops open early in the morning?Yes. Several restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores open early to serve travelers catching morning flights.At Terminal A, passengers will find Texas Monthly News (open 24 hours), Starbucks, Jack in the Box, Chick-fil-A, and Great American Bagel, all of which open by 4 a.m.At Terminal D, Houston Supply News is open 24 hours a day, with Einstein Bros. Bagels opening at 4:30 a.m.At Terminal E, Chick-fil-A and Einstein Bros. Bagels open at 5 a.m. and are located just after the TSA Checkpoint.Additionally, 24/7 offerings (self-service markets and vending options) are available in Terminals A, C, D and E. How can I move between terminals?The Subway connects all five terminals at IAH and is accessible pre-security. After screening, passengers can use the Skyway to reach their specific gate post-security.What is Houston Airports doing to help?Houston Airports is working closely with TSA leadership and other federal partners to monitor checkpoint capacity in real-time, adjust passenger flow, and provide on-site customer service support.