Get plugged in: Technology at Houston Airports help make summer travel a breeze

A bevy of updated technological tools full of handy information can help travelers take a “byte” out of getting to and around both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport

July 9, 2018

HOUSTON — When it comes to trips during the busy summer travel season, the Houston Airport System’s enhanced digital tool box offers a bevy of updated technological tools full of handy information that can help travelers take a “byte” out of getting to and around both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport.

This commitment to the technology today’s savvy traveler expects and relies on helps make traveling in and out of Houston’s airports easy during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. From June 1 through Aug. 31, somewhere between 125,000 and 130,000 passengers will arrive, depart or connect at Bush Airport daily, and that number is expected to be more than 42,600 passengers per day at Hobby Airport. That means more than 15 million travelers are expected to pass through Houston’s commercial airports during that 92-day period.

Getting “plugged in” to the technology available at Houston’s airports can help travelers take control of their trip, providing both useful information and quick and convenient service.

Use fly2houston.com for all your needs

The Houston Airport System’s award-winning website focuses on the passenger journey — with tailored pages to fit the specific needs of departing, arriving and connecting passengers — and provides plenty of useful information and tips for summer travelers. Checking in on the mobile-friendly site provides information on things like parking spaces available at both Bush Airport at this link, and at Hobby Airport at this link. Arriving passengers can find information about baggage pickup, transportation, dining and shopping, and more. For Bush Airport, learn more at this link. For Hobby Airport, learn more at this link.

Connecting passengers can find information about getting around the airports, dining and shopping options and more. For Bush Airport, learn more at this link. For Hobby Airport, learn more at this link. And, all of that valuable information also can be found on the Spanish-language version of the website at this link.

Interactive airport maps

Finding your way around Houston’s airports is as simple as checking your smart device thanks to cutting-edge software available on the fly2houston.com website. Interactive maps for both Bush and Hobby turn-by-turn wayfinding technology that doesn’t require downloading a separate app. The easy navigation tool provides “transit path” directions that will take the user from their originating point to their destination with the most direct and efficient path possible. The maps provide both graphic and text directions and each step of the path has turn-by-turn points listed, as well the estimated time it will take to walk to the destination. As important, it offers searchable navigation, with location information and search terms for points of interest including gates, ground transportation, ticket kiosks, shops, restaurants, security checkpoints, and more. For access to Bush Airport maps, check this link. For access to Hobby Airport maps, check this link.

TSA checkpoint time tracking

Travelers now can get near real-time updates on wait times at the TSA checkpoints at both Bush and Hobby. By using fly2houston.com and clicking on the “depart” tab, passengers can access updates on clearance times at all seven checkpoints found at the five terminals at Bush Airport, as well as the checkpoint at Hobby Airport. For information at Bush Airport, check this link. For information at Hobby Airport, check this link.

Convenient tools for international travelers

For passengers on international flights, clearing customs at both airports is a lot easier and faster thanks to Automated Passport Control kiosks available at both Bush and Hobby airports. U.S. and Canadian citizens and other eligible international passengers simply place their passport on the scanning pad located on the kiosk and then provide answers to a series of basic questions. That data is then sent electronically to one of the screening officers on duty, minimizing both the effort required from the passenger and the chance for mistaken information to enter the system. Passengers do not need to register in advance for the service. Also, international passengers can take advantage of the Mobile Passport Control available at both airports. Eligible travelers may voluntarily submit their passport information and answers to inspection-related questions to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Much like the APC, the app does not require pre-approval and is free to use. Travelers who successfully use the app will no longer have to complete a paper form or use an APC kiosk. As a result, travelers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing. Learn more about tools to make international travel easier at Bush Airport at this link, and at Hobby Airport at this link.

Free Wi-Fi and plenty of power stations

The free Wi-Fi at both Bush and Hobby airports has been rated as some of the fastest in any airport in the country and world. It makes using smart devices easier, and with plenty of charging stations and new seating at both airports featuring places to “plug in” there are now 10,000 outlets available combined at Bush and Hobby airports.

Passengers also can get updates on important information and more by following the HAS Twitter accounts @IAH and @HobbyAirport.

Learn more about both airports and even more technology to make your trip convenient at the Houston Airport System website.