United Airlines is pairing a 22-gate concourse with an 800-seat lounge in Houston as part of a $2.6 billion Terminal B redevelopment intended to accommodate larger aircraft and more passengers.
At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the three-level North Concourse replaces facilities that date to 1969. Its gates will serve mainline aircraft. Improvements to Terminal B South will bring United’s total in the terminal to 48 gates, the airline said.
United projects that the rebuilt terminal will be able to accommodate 40% more customers on peak travel dates in 2026 than in 2023. That figure is a projection of how many travelers it can handle on those dates.
The 54,000-square-foot United Club has space for 800 guests, two bars, two buffet areas and an outdoor terrace. United calls it the largest airline club in the Americas. The lounge adds passenger space to a redevelopment that also expands the facilities available for mainline flights.
Travelers can enter with a club membership, an eligible United credit card or certain premium cabin tickets. CNBC reported that airlines are enlarging lounges as more travelers gain access through elite status, airline credit cards and paid passes. It also reported plans by American Airlines for its largest lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and expansions of Delta Air Lines’ lounge offerings.
United operates more than 500 departures a day from Houston and serves 57 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean from the airport. The airline describes Houston as a connecting hub for those routes.
The construction program has supported an estimated 3,000 jobs, according to United. The airline also counted 308 Houston-based suppliers involved in the project.
United has scheduled the North Concourse to open to the public on Oct. 22. CNBC reported that the new club is due to open the same day.
