Welcome toGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport

In the middle of Houston’s busiest airport, 20 teenagers entered a world defined by constant motion. The echo of rolling suitcases, the language of gate announcements and the flow of travelers from every corner of the globe became their summer soundtrack.The Houston Airports Teen Volunteer Program—a pilot initiative open only to children of Houston Airports employees at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)—launched to do more than fill a schedule. Under the guidance of Ella Ghica, manager of the volunteer outreach program for Houston Airports, it offered high school students a front-row seat to one of the city's most complex operations.“This was a unique opportunity to step into a working airport, meet people from all over the world and be part of their journey,” Ghica said. “It’s not just about answering questions. It’s about creating moments where someone feels welcomed and cared for in an unfamiliar place.”For 10 weeks, the teens worked pre-security, greeting passengers and answering questions. The work was granular: wayfinding, baggage claim assistance, lost items and guiding travelers to ground transportation. The numbers tell part of the story: 812 hours total—196 in June, 468 in July, 148 in August.But Ghica insists the deeper story is in the transformations she saw. “I am very proud of each of them. Their confidence level has changed tremendously, and their communication skills have grown as they’ve learned to actively listen.”LEARN MORE | Houston Airports Volunteer AmbassadorsThe teenagers, for their part, recall flashes of connection in the chaos. “A couple of seconds of my time and kindness made a big impact. I love it,” one wrote in the program survey. Another remembered finding the right terminal for a family with two small children after they had already been to two wrong ones. “They were stressed and exhausted, but by the time we got there, they were smiling again.”For some, the summer was about navigating cultural and language barriers. “I helped a lady who only spoke Spanish find someone who could guide her,” a volunteer recalled. “Even though I did very little of the actual assistance, she thanked me anyway for finding help in her dialect.” Others were struck by the intimacy of travel itself. “Seeing people reunite and being the first to say, ‘Welcome to Houston’ made me realize how important it is to be kind to everyone,” one teen reflected. Another described reuniting a man with his family as “the best feeling I had this summer.”Kelly Woodward, chief operating officer for Houston Airports, sees the program as an entry point into a world far bigger than the job descriptions most people associate with aviation. “Working at an airport is about so much more than pilots and planes,” she said. “These teens saw firsthand how customer service shapes the passenger experience. A warm welcome, clear directions or a smile at the right moment can make all the difference in someone’s journey.”Names and faces began to emerge in the terminal. Ashton remembered Ghica’s constant reminder: “Give everyone coming to Houston a big, friendly Houston smile.” Jackson found his joy in the feeling itself: “If you enjoy the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping people, you’ll enjoy volunteering at the airport.” Josie, whose parents work at IAH, found the unpredictability intoxicating: “Every day there’s something new and it’s fun.”Passengers noticed, too. On July 30, someone in Terminal A Baggage Claim took the time to send feedback through the Houston Airports online portal: “One of the Teen Volunteer Ambassadors was extremely nice and helpful with my needs. I was having troubles connecting to Wi-Fi and he was not only very knowledgeable he was also customer service focused. I love this program.”On July 10, another traveler described the teens they encountered as “polite, well-informed and patient,” adding that “the ones we encountered were very impressive.”The program will return next summer. Ghica hopes to see many of these same teens back in the terminal, ready to pick up where they left off. Because in an industry that runs on efficiency and logistics, the program is a reminder of something more enduring. In the fleeting space of an airport, a moment of human connection can carry as much weight as the journey itself.

Houston Airports, in collaboration with self-proclaimed Houstorian James Glassman, has unveiled H-Tones, a new art installation that turns a 660-foot-long International Arrivals hallway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) into a gallery of Houston pride.The work features 32 translucent panels in the style of Pantone color swatches, each one uniquely created and named by Glassman to capture the city’s history, culture, flavors and flair. The lineup includes Rodeo, Bayou and Armadillo — all part of a palette that reads like Houston’s own color dictionary.Strategically installed along the windows of the secured hallway guiding international passengers from Terminal D toward the U.S. Customs and Border Protection federal inspection area, H-Tones comes alive in the natural light. The placement ensures that the very first steps of arriving travelers are infused with a sense of place and a welcome as vibrant as Houston itself.“This installation greets the world with the colors of Houston,” said Alton DuLaney, chief curator of cultural affairs for the City of Houston. “Each panel is a brushstroke of our city’s personality, from trail greens to taco reds, and together they create an unforgettable first impression. As Houston prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, H-Tones reflects our creative energy and the airport's role as a global gateway.”For DuLaney, the impact goes beyond aesthetics. “Public art in airports is about more than beauty,” he said. “It’s about storytelling. It’s about showing travelers who we are and what we value. Our shared culture is as colorful as it is welcoming.”Glassman spent months researching, refining and naming each hue—a process equal parts design and history lesson. Some colors, like Queen B and Clutch City, nod to pop culture and sports legends. Others, such as Memorial Park or Turrell Tunnel, draw from Houston landmarks. Still others — Queso, Green Sauce, Vietnamese Coffee — celebrate the city’s culinary range.“This project celebrates the soul of Houston in a way that’s playful, memorable and impossible to miss,” DuLaney said.

The tables were packed, and the food was hot. On the opening day of Chick-fil-A and Einstein Bros. Bagels inside the new International Central Processor at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), travelers wasted no time making the new concessions part of their journey.Located directly across from the new 17-lane TSA security checkpoint in Terminal E, the openings mark another milestone in the airport system’s terminal redevelopment program, a sweeping modernization effort set to redefine the international travel experience in Houston.“This is exactly the type of energy and impact we envisioned when we designed a new international terminal,” said Libby Hurley, director of concessions for Houston Airports. “Concessions like these improve the passenger experience, create jobs, spotlight the brands our passengers love and underscore our commitment to making Houston a world-class gateway that residents can be proud of.”The launch of Chick-fil-A and Einstein Bros. Bagels comes as Houston Airports prepares for a wave of new openings in early 2026. Chili’s, Chili’s To Go and Starbucks will debut in the new International Central Processor. Velvet Taco — one of Houston’s most popular local restaurants — will open inside the expanded Terminal D.The bustling crowds on opening day suggest passengers are ready. In a departure hall gleaming with polished terrazzo floors and expansive sightlines, travelers carrying luggage stopped to enjoy hot chicken sandwiches, fresh bagels and coffee before flights. Others queued patiently, a sign that these new amenities are already woven into the rhythm of Bush Airport’s passenger experience.Hurley says the momentum is just beginning. With the World Baseball Classic and the FIFA World Cup coming to Houston in 2026, Bush Airport’s transformation aims to pair efficiency and capacity with the warm, Houston-friendly hospitality travelers expect.