HOUSTON — United Airlines (UA) opened its new Terminal B North Concourse October 22 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), bringing 22 gates designed for mainline narrow-body aircraft to its Houston hub.
The three-level, 765,000-square-foot (71,100-square-meter) facility replaces infrastructure dating to 1969. It is part of the US$2.6bn Terminal B Transformation Program. United says all flights from the new North Concourse board through jet bridges.
A 48-Gate Program
United's latest project breakdown lists 22 North gates and 26 South gates. United says the terminal will have 48 gates with the South Concourse improvements, which include accommodation for larger regional aircraft.
The airline's November 2023 plan had called for 40 gates overall, including 18 South gates converted from 30 smaller regional-jet positions. The 48-gate figure is the total in the opening announcement, rather than the number of gates added by the new North Concourse.
United originally projected that the redevelopment would allow 40% more passengers to fly on peak travel dates in 2026 than in 2023. The projection concerns available capacity on peak dates. Larger aircraft can carry more passengers per departure, so a terminal's gate count alone does not establish its passenger capacity.
An 800-Seat United Club
Terminal B North also houses a 54,000-square-foot (5,000-square-meter) United Club with 800 seats and an outdoor terrace. United describes it as the largest airline club in the Americas.
The concourse has a dedicated sensory room, separate from the children's play area, for travelers who need a quieter environment.
As Airways reported when the transformation was announced, the wider project includes the ticketing lobby, roadways and baggage facilities. The gate concourse's opening does not mark completion of every part of that work.
Houston Airports continues to direct Terminal B passengers to Terminal C to check in, drop bags and clear security while the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed. Passengers then take the Skyway to Terminal B.
Featured images: Nick Sheeder/Airways
