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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) as the federal government shutdown continues to impact TSA staffing nationwide. 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 is affecting TSA staffing and resources nationwide. Some security lanes are operating with fewer officers than usual, which can result in longer screening times—especially during peak travel periods.Additionally, passenger volume at IAH varies by day of the week and time of day. For example, Tuesdays and Wednesdays typically see lower passenger volumes, which may result in shorter security wait times.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 navigate the impacts of the federal government shutdown. Wait times can fluctuate depending on passenger volumes and staffing levels.For estimated security wait times, visit www.fly2houston.com/iah/securityWhich TSA checkpoints are open?As a result of the federal government shutdown, only TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E are open for passenger screening.TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available at both terminals.Is PreCheck or CLEAR available?Yes. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR remain open at both Terminal A and Terminal E.Where should United Airlines passengers check in and go through security?United Airlines passengers should check luggage at Terminal C and then proceed to Terminal E for security screening by walking or taking the Subway.The walk between Terminals C and E is about six minutes.Once cleared by TSA, passengers can use the Skyway to access all terminals.United does not operate a ticketing counter at Terminal A.What if my air carrier has a ticket counter at Terminal D?Passengers checking in at Terminal D should proceed through the tunnel to Terminal E for TSA screening.What 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. We’re also supporting our federal partners through donation drives and airport employees who have job functions outside of IAH are volunteering to assist passengers in the terminals.Houston Airports encourages travelers to stay informed through Fly2Houston.com and by following Bush Airport on social media for the latest updates.We thank our passengers for their patience, flexibility and Houston-friendly spirit as federal employees continue to navigate the effects of the government shutdown.

Arrive early and allow extra time for security screening.As a result of the federal government shutdown, Houston Airports encourages all passengers to arrive early and allow extra time for security screening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).- TSA wait times may exceed 60 to 75 minutes at IAH.- TSA wait times may exceed 30 to 45 minutes at HOU.At Bush Airport, only TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E will be open for passengers. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are open at both terminals.At Hobby Airport, passengers may experience reduced screening lanes. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are open at HOU.Houston Airports urges passengers to remain flexible as the government shutdown may impact security operations from one day—and even one shift—to the next.Flying out of Bush Airport? The Subway connects all five terminals, ensuring passengers can access available checkpoints from any terminal. On average, it's a 6 minute walk between Terminals C and E. The Skyway can then connect passengers to their specific gate.Flying United? United Airlines is advising passengers to check their luggage at Terminal C and then proceed to Terminal E by walking or taking the Subway for security screening. United passengers cannot check in at Terminal A, as the airline does not operate a ticketing counter there.“We’re grateful for our TSA partners who continue to show incredible professionalism under difficult circumstances,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “We’re working together, shift by shift, to keep passengers moving safely and efficiently during this federal government shutdown. We thank travelers for their patience as the situation evolves.”Have a question for Houston Airports? We've compiled answers to frequently asked questions.

From the upper level of the new Terminal B Central Processor at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), sunlight now floods through newly installed curtainwall glass, opening views across an active construction site filled with cranes and crews at work. The progress is clear — and visible.The curtainwall installation marks a major milestone in the Terminal B Transformation Project; a collaboration between United Airlines and Houston Airports to reimagine one of the airport’s original terminals. When it opens in 2026, Terminal B will look and function entirely differently from the facility built more than half a century ago.Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak recently joined United leaders for a tour of the site and said the momentum speaks for itself. “That view says it all,” he said, watching crews secure glass panels several stories high. “Every pane of glass represents progress for Houston and the passengers who will experience a modernized terminal built for decades ahead.”Across the project footprint, transformation is visible in every direction. Structural steel defines new concourses, and crews are actively installing mechanical systems, flooring and interior finishes that will bring the vision to life.Designed around intuitive passenger movement and inspired by Houston, the new Terminal B North Concourse will span approximately 765,000 square feet across three levels, replacing the original 1969-era flight stations with two new passenger concourses. Inside, 22 gates will serve United’s growing fleet as part of the airline’s United NEXT initiative. A 54,000-square-foot United Club at the mezzanine level will offer panoramic airfield views — the largest in United’s system — along with new amenities focused on comfort and accessibility.Travelers will also find inclusive spaces such as a Sensory Room for passengers with hidden disabilities, a United-branded interactive park that combines art and technology, and quiet zones for relaxation. Two new concessions hubs will offer more than 115,000 square feet of dining and retail space supported by advanced food service technology. Beneath it all, an upgraded baggage handling system will move thousands of bags with precision using advanced tracking tools.The Terminal B South concourse will modernize 18 E175 gates, replacing older layouts with upgraded hold rooms designed around United’s “gate of the future” standards. Each improvement focuses on making the passenger journey smoother from curb to cabin.At the heart of the project is the Central Processor — the architectural centerpiece of the transformation. The expansion and renovation, totaling more than 440,000 square feet, will support future growth to 36 million passengers annually. The redesigned space includes a new baggage claim hall, modern ticketing lobby, expanded security checkpoint and enhanced airline and airport support areas. The design simplifies every step of the journey, with a streamlined third-floor security checkpoint, direct connections to concessions and concourses, and improved roadway flow with expanded curbsides, updated signage and intuitive wayfinding.“This transformation is about more than infrastructure,” Szczesniak said. “It’s about creating a passenger experience that feels distinctly Houston and is built for the future.”The $2.5 billion Terminal B Transformation is one of the most significant airport projects in the country, representing years of collaboration between United Airlines, Houston Airports and the design and construction teams shaping the next generation of travel in Houston.And now, as sunlight pours through the new glass façade and the terminal begins to take its shape, that future is visible.Completion is scheduled for fall 2026.LEARN MORE | IAH TERMINAL B TRANSFORMATION