Renovations of any building are always exciting. At worst, the new space will be aesthetically more pleasing. At best, it will make life easier for all who use the space. Well, that’s once the renovations are completed. The painful part is when the renovations are happening, and that’s exactly what will happen at a Texas airport tomorrow.
United’s Big Plans for IAH Terminal B
To be fair, United announced their expansion of Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) back in November, 2023. The $2.6B project would modernize the original terminal, which opened in 1969. The project would include:
- The largest United Club in the country
- The only Early Bag Storage facility of its kind in North America
- A three-level, 765,000 sq. ft. Terminal B North Concourse with 22 mainline, narrow-body gates
- Conversion of 30 existing small regional jet gates to 18 gates to accommodate larger, two-class regional jets in the Terminal B South Concourse
- Boarding via jet bridge for all flights
- Two major concessions hubs with more than 115,000 sq. ft. of food and retail space
- Expanded curbside and roadway capacity with a ground-level check-in area, including the addition of a traffic bypass between Terminals B and A to allow Terminal B customers to exit the airport without having to drive past Terminal A as they do today
- A new sensory room for passengers with disabilities
Here’s an artist’s rendering of what the terminal will look like upon completion:
Brace for the Crunch: Changes Start Tomorrow
The project started in 2024, but starting tomorrow is when passengers will really start to feel the crunch of the work.
Effective Tuesday, January 21, the lobby of Terminal B will be closed. However, the gates will remain open, so travelers who are departing from Terminal B will need to check in and do their bag drop at Terminal C. There will be signage on the way to the airport to remind people of the Terminal B lobby closure. From IAH:
To assist travelers, United Airlines will run a free shuttle between the Terminal A/B parking garage and Terminal C. However, people are encouraged to park in the Terminal C garage if spaces are available.
Of course, thanks to winter weather, both airports in Houston will be closed on Tuesday. But once IAH reopens, be sure to stay informed.
Looking Ahead
The lobby is expected to remain closed until sometime in 2026. Until then, give yourself extra time and bring your patience. Good luck out there!
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