Everything you need to navigate Houston: the official terminal map link, what airlines fly from each concourse, how to move between terminals, and gate-finding tips that save you backtracking. Verify your specific gate on your boarding pass — assignments change.

The IAH airport authority publishes the most up-to-date map on its official website. Use the link below before you travel so you know the terminal layout and gate locations before you clear security.
Official map
Houston official terminal map — airport authority website
Maps are updated when terminals are renovated or new concourses open. Terminal 5 at LAX, for example, has been closed since October 2025 for reconstruction — always confirm your terminal from your boarding pass rather than relying on a saved map.
Here is what each terminal or concourse at IAH handles — which airlines fly from it, the gate range, and key amenities to know before you go.
Primary terminal for all non-United domestic carriers. 21 gates across two concourses (South opened 1999, North opened 2002). Airlines include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada (US-domestic routes), and WestJet. Full dining and retail available.
Dedicated to United Express regional operations. 26 gates across three ground-level piers in the South concourse (opened 2013). Important: no dining or shopping at the gate-level piers - grab food before heading to your pier. A 22-gate North expansion is planned for fall 2026. Served by the Skyway airside tram but NOT by the landside Subway.
United Airlines mainline domestic hub. 30 gates. Opened 1981. Full airport amenities including dining, retail, and a medical clinic. Connected to Terminal B via one Skyway stop, making United Express-to-mainline connections straightforward.
International gateway for all non-United carriers. 16 gates. Opened 1990 (originally Mickey Leland International Arrivals Building). Capable of handling A380 and 747-8 aircraft. All international arrivals on non-United flights clear customs here. Airlines include Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aeromexico, and other international non-United carriers. Shares a Skyway station with Terminal E.
United Airlines international operations and international arrivals hub. 23 gates. Partially opened June 2003, fully opened January 2004. Handles United's transatlantic, transpacific, and Latin American international routes. United international arrivals clear customs here. Shares a Skyway station with Terminal D (listed as D/E on tram signage).
Two free automated people movers run in parallel. The Skyway is an elevated airside tram (within security) with 4 stations: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and Terminal D/E - it departs every 2 minutes and is the primary inter-terminal connection for ticketed passengers. The Subway is an underground landside train (outside security/pre-checkpoint) with stations at Terminals A, C, D/E, and the Airport Marriott - it departs every 3 minutes and operates 3:15 am to 12:15 am daily. Terminal B is the only terminal NOT served by the Subway; it connects landside only by walking to Terminal A.
Timing tip
Always allow 15–30 minutes for any inter-terminal transfer at IAH — wait times for people-movers, buses, or security re-screening add up faster than the physical distance suggests. Build the buffer into your Leave-By time, not your gate arrival time.
Terminal B (United Express) has no landside Subway stop and no gate-level food - grab a meal in the main Terminal B check-in hall or in Terminal A before heading to your pier. For all airside connections across the airport, skip walking and take the free Skyway tram (every 2 min), which runs 24/7 and links all five terminals.
A few habits that prevent last-minute sprints:
Experienced travellers at IAH use a short checklist every time:
The official Houston terminal map is on the airport authority website at https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/map/. Maps are updated when new gates or concourses open; always verify your specific gate on your boarding pass.
Two free automated people movers run in parallel. The Skyway is an elevated airside tram (within security) with 4 stations: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and Terminal D/E - it departs every 2 minutes and is the primary inter-terminal connection for ticketed passengers. The Subway is an underground landside train (outside security/pre-checkpoint) with stations at Terminals A, C, D/E, and the Airport Marriott - it departs every 3 minutes and operates 3:15 am to 12:15 am daily. Terminal B is the only terminal NOT served by the Subway; it connects landside only by walking to Terminal A.
Terminal B (United Express) has no landside Subway stop and no gate-level food - grab a meal in the main Terminal B check-in hall or in Terminal A before heading to your pier. For all airside connections across the airport, skip walking and take the free Skyway tram (every 2 min), which runs 24/7 and links all five terminals. Your boarding pass shows the exact gate. Open your airline app about two hours before departure — gate assignments sometimes change after check-in closes. Look for departure boards throughout the terminal for real-time gate information.
Use the official interactive map at https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/map/ before you arrive to familiarise yourself with the layout. Terminal B (United Express) has no landside Subway stop and no gate-level food - grab a meal in the main Terminal B check-in hall or in Terminal A before heading to your pier. For all airside connections across the airport, skip walking and take the free Skyway tram (every 2 min), which runs 24/7 and links all five terminals.
Terminal A: Primary terminal for all non-United domestic carriers. 21 gates across two concourses (South opened 1999, North opened 2002). Airlines include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada (US-domestic routes), and WestJet. Full dining and retail available. Terminal B: Dedicated to United Express regional operations. 26 gates across three ground-level piers in the South concourse (opened 2013). Important: no dining or shopping at the gate-level piers - grab food before heading to your pier. A 22-gate North expansion is planned for fall 2026. Served by the Skyway airside tram but NOT by the landside Subway. Terminal C: United Airlines mainline domestic hub. 30 gates. Opened 1981. Full airport amenities including dining, retail, and a medical clinic. Connected to Terminal B via one Skyway stop, making United Express-to-mainline connections straightforward. Terminal D: International gateway for all non-United carriers. 16 gates. Opened 1990 (originally Mickey Leland International Arrivals Building). Capable of handling A380 and 747-8 aircraft. All international arrivals on non-United flights clear customs here. Airlines include Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aeromexico, and other international non-United carriers. Shares a Skyway station with Terminal E. Terminal E: United Airlines international operations and international arrivals hub. 23 gates. Partially opened June 2003, fully opened January 2004. Handles United's transatlantic, transpacific, and Latin American international routes. United international arrivals clear customs here. Shares a Skyway station with Terminal D (listed as D/E on tram signage).
Leave-By calculator
The TSA Wait Times Leave-By calculator folds the live IAH security wait, your drive time, and terminal navigation into one exact time to leave home — so you reach your gate without guessing.
See also: Live IAH TSA wait times · IAH terminals guide · IAH security tips