Select international travelers departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport will check in at Terminal E effective Feb. 27, Houston Airport System officials announced via news release Feb. 27.
What’s changed
Previously housed in Terminal D, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have transitioned to IAH’s newly expanded Terminal E. Per the release, passengers are encouraged to confirm their check-in location directly with their airline prior to arrival.
Officials said customer service representatives in bright orange polos are stationed in Terminals D and E to assist passengers; passengers arriving at Terminal D will be directed to make a 10-minute walk to Terminal E.
Some context
As previously reported by Community Impact, the Terminal E expansion is part of IAH’s $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program, which began in 2019. The project is set to wrap up early this year ahead of the seven FIFA World Cup matches set to take place in Houston this summer.
A closer look
Per the release, the newly expanded Terminal E features:
- Self-service bag drop stations and check-in kiosks
- A 17-lane TSA screening area, offering both TSA Precheck and Clear+
- Expanded curb space with 11 departures lanes and eight arrivals lanes
- Pre-security dining, including hot food, coffee, alcohol and grab-and-go items
- Post-security dining, including Einstein Bros. Bagels and Chick-fil-A
- A high-definition LED Oculus
Officials said IAH is the first airport in Texas and the second in the U.S. to debut the Amadeus bag drop system—which is widely used at major European airports—at Terminal E. Additionally, Terminal E’s TSA screening area is one of the largest in the U.S.
Quote of note
“This is about giving our passengers the world-class experience they deserve the moment they walk into the terminal,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports, in a statement. “As we prepare to welcome soccer fans and introduce new nonstop flights to Rome this summer, Terminal E serves as a source of pride for Houstonians and reflects the city’s role as a leading international gateway and improves efficiency for our passengers.”
Stay tuned
Additional airlines will continue to transition from Terminal D to Terminal E in phases over the next few weeks, officials said. Passengers can stay up to date with these changes by clicking here.
Officials said lounge locations and parking access remain unchanged.