HOUSTON, Texas — October 22, 2026 — United opens its new Terminal B North concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the public today. The concourse has 22 mainline gates and a 54,000-square-foot United Club that United calls the largest airline club in the Americas.
What’s opening
- The concourse: Three levels and about 765,000 square feet, replacing Terminal B facilities that date to 1969. It is part of a $2.6 billion Terminal B transformation by United and Houston Airports.
- Gates: 22 gates designed for mainline narrow-body aircraft. Every departure from the new concourse boards through a jet bridge, so there is no walking out to the aircraft.
- South concourse: The south side is being reconfigured to 26 gates for larger two-cabin regional jets. That will give United 48 gates in Terminal B.
- Capacity: United says peak-period passenger capacity in 2026 will be 40% higher than in 2023.
- Which flights use the new gates: United has not published a list (TBA).
The new United Club
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 54,000 sq ft, on the mezzanine level |
| Seating | About 800 |
| Food and drink | Two full-service bars and two buffet stations |
| Other | 1,350 sq ft outdoor terrace, 11 private phone rooms |
| Houston total | Seven United clubs and lounges at IAH, including Polaris |
Food, shops and facilities
New outlets include B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Rosie Cannonball, Pizaro’s Pizza, Blood Bros. BBQ, Katz Coffee, Blue Bell Creameries, Smashburger, Jersey Mike’s and H-Town Beer Garden, plus a Be Relax spa. CultureMap Houston notes that some restaurants are already open and others are still to come. The concourse also has a $16.8 million public art program with 10 installations, a children’s play area and a sensory room. United plans to add food ordering in its app, with pickup or delivery near the gates, later in 2026. United CEO Scott Kirby said he wants customers to “start their vacation the minute they show up at the airport.”
New routes from Houston
- Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico: later in October 2026
- Cartagena, Colombia: December 2026
- Caracas, Venezuela: January 2027
- Chihuahua, Mexico: returns spring 2027
United says all new international routes still need government approval.
What it means for non-revs
- Allow extra time at first. In the opening days, gate assignments and walking routes in Terminal B will be new to everyone. Check your gate in the United app before you head to the airport and again once you’re through security.
- Jet bridges throughout. Mainline departures from Terminal B North no longer board outdoors, and the South concourse is being reworked for larger two-cabin regional jets.
- More seats at peak times. United’s 40% peak-capacity increase over 2023 could ease loads at Houston’s busiest times. That is a capacity figure, not a guarantee of open seats on any particular flight.
- Somewhere better to wait. If you have club access, the 800-seat club gives you more room to wait out a standby list between flights. United has not published access rules for the new club, so check your eligibility before you go.
Sources
- United Airlines press release via Stockhouse, “United Opens New Concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport with More Gates, Local Restaurants and the Largest Airline Club in the Americas,” https://stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2026/10/21/united-opens-new-concourse-at-george-bush-intercontinental-airport-with-more
- Caribbean Journal, “United Airlines Just Opened a Huge New Terminal at Its Biggest Caribbean Gateway, With 22 Gates and the Largest Airline Club in the Americas,” https://www.caribjournal.com/2026/10/21/united-airlines-caribbean-houston/
- CultureMap Houston, “United opens Terminal B concourse, with massive club, new restaurants, and more,” https://houston.culturemap.com/news/travel/iah-terminal-b-north-united/
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