Welcome toGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport

The final piece of the dining puzzle is now in place at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).Velvet Taco officially opened Monday, Jan. 5, in the new Terminal D-West Concourse, delivering one of Houston’s most recognizable culinary brands to the airport’s newest international gateway. Located near Gate D-1, the fast-casual concept adds to the food and beverage line-up in the concourse, which opened in October 2024 as part of the airport system’s $1.458 billion international terminal project. For travelers arriving from or departing to destinations around the world, the opening is both practical and personal: craveable food, fast service and a sense of place that feels unmistakably Houston.“The Terminal D-West Concourse was designed to be world-class, organized and deeply reflective of the city it serves,” said Francisco Cuellar, deputy director of commercial development for Houston Airports. “Velvet Taco checks every box. It’s local, it’s bold and it delivers quality at the speed today’s travelers expect.”The Velvet Taco at IAH is operated by LaTrelle’s Management Corporation as a subcontractor under SSP America, which oversees food and beverage concessions in IAH Terminal D. LaTrelle’s also operates the Velvet Taco quick-serve and bar concept at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), where the restaurant earned national attention last year as Best Quick-Serve Restaurant Concept at the Airport Experience Awards.At Bush Airport, the menu stays true to the brand’s rule-breaking roots, offering globally inspired tacos, vegetarian and gluten-free options, shareable sides and signature margaritas designed for travelers on the go. The menu also includes halal-friendly selections, a meaningful consideration in an international terminal that serves passengers from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Halal food is prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary guidelines, and its availability helps ensure more travelers can dine confidently and comfortably before long-haul international flights. The Houston Airports Director of Aviation, Jim Szczesniak, stopped by Monday morning to become the very first customer at the new location.“When we talk about connecting people and cultures through Houston, this is what that looks like in real life,” Cuellar said. “Travelers want experiences that feel authentic, efficient and memorable. Velvet Taco delivers all three.”Terminal D-West itself represents years of behind-the-scenes planning most passengers never see. The concourse expands international gate capacity, improves passenger flow and introduces a carefully curated mix of dining, retail and services designed to reduce stress and elevate the journey. Alongside Velvet Taco, travelers will find a range of new concession offerings that blend global brands with Houston originals, all positioned to serve passengers quickly without sacrificing quality.Just steps away from Velvet Taco, a Harmony in the Air performance stage adds another layer to the experience. Passengers can enjoy tacos while taking in live music from local performers, a small but intentional detail that reflects Houston’s creative spirit and signature hospitality.For Houston Airports, the opening reinforces a broader strategy: make passengers happy, invest in strong partnerships and build platforms for future success. It is also a reminder that airport dining is no longer an afterthought, but part of how a city introduces itself to the world.Passenger tip: Take the Skyway to Terminal C. Exit the platform. Take a left into the Terminal D-West Concourse and enjoy all the new dining and retail options. Be sure to arrive early with enough time to explore.

They are often the first people travelers see and the last to offer reassurance before boarding. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), the Houston Airports Volunteer Ambassadors are a crucial role in the airport system’s plan to deliver a world-class passenger experience, each and every time.During a recent recognition celebration at Houston City Hall, Houston Airports honored volunteers who have marked five, 10, and 15 years of service. Houston Airports Director Jim Szczesniak, along with the general managers for IAH and HOU and the Houston Airports Guest Experience team, personally thanked volunteers for a job well don. The luncheon also highlighted a broader message about consistency and reliability in a complex environment.“Milestones mattered, but the message was broader,” said Ella Ghica, manager of volunteer programs for Houston Airports. “Every volunteer plays a role in making our airports feel organized, functional and welcoming.”The Volunteer Ambassador Program began in the summer of 2002. Ghica joined in 2008, when the program had just eight volunteers. Today, the program includes 75 volunteers at Bush Airport and 49 at Hobby Airport. In 2025, volunteers contributed more than 14,222 hours of service, supporting millions of passengers moving through Houston’s airports. Volunteers assist with directions, accessibility needs and customer questions while adapting to changing conditions across terminals. Some step in on short notice to cover shifts. Others mentor new volunteers, maintain Little Free Libraries or support pet therapy teams.This year, Houston Airports also recognized 12 recipients of the Supportive Service Award, six at each airport. The award honors volunteers who regularly go beyond their assigned roles to keep the program running smoothly. Selecting recipients was difficult, Ghica said, because the same commitment shows up daily across the program.The volunteer corps also included 22 teen volunteers during the summer and three corporate partners, with plans to expand corporate participation as Houston prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Behind the scenes, the Volunteer Ambassador Program supports the mission of Houston Airports: to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies to Houston. For passengers, that mission is often experienced through a single interaction that helps them move forward with confidence.Those interested in joining the Volunteer Ambassador Program can learn more and apply at Fly2Houston.com.

On Saturday, December 20, United Airlines launched its first-ever nonstop service between the U.S. and Tepic/Riviera Nayarit, Mexico (TPQ), with George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) serving as the route’s sole U.S. gateway.“United in Houston is known for, and continues to be, the gateway to Latin America,” said Phil Griffith, vice president of airport operations. “We’re proud to consistently offer impressive and unique routes out of IAH that our customers can appreciate and enjoy. Tepic and the Riviera Nayarit are a wonderful addition.”The new route operates once a week on Saturdays, with seasonal service available from mid-December to mid-August. It provides direct access to the Riviera Nayarit region, including coastal communities such as San Blas, eliminating the need for lengthy ground travel from other Mexican airports.The inaugural flight was operated on an Embraer E-175 regional jet with 76 seats and departed more than 90% full. The aircraft features Starlink Wi-Fi, part of United’s broader effort to modernize the in-flight experience across its regional fleet.With the addition of Tepic, United now serves 24 destinations in Mexico and 52 destinations across Latin America from IAH. Nearly half of those Latin destinations are served exclusively from Houston, reinforcing Bush Airport’s role as United’s primary Latin American hub.For passengers, the result is straightforward: a new nonstop option to a growing leisure destination. For Houston, it is another incremental expansion of its global network — one flight, one market and one connection at a time.