HOUSTON, Texas – Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, one of the busiest times of the year for air travel, and things could get worse for travelers at Houston’s airports.
The Trump Administration this week ordered even deeper flight restrictions, directing airlines to cut 6% of flights at 40 major airports by Tuesday and 10% by Friday. The move is meant to ease the strain on air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working without pay during the government shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that even if the shutdown ends soon, it will take time for air traffic controllers to return to work and for normal operations to resume.
What to expect today at Houston airports
At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), travelers are seeing TSA wait times of 60 to 75 minutes, according to airport officials. Only TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E are currently open for passengers.
If you’re flying United Airlines, you’ll need to check your luggage at Terminal C and then go to Terminal E, either by walking or taking the Subway, for security screening.
At William P. Hobby Airport, TSA wait times are averaging 30 to 45 minutes as fewer screening lanes remain open.
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes are still operating at both airports.
How to check wait times before you go
Travelers can check real-time security wait times and flight information using the following resources:
- Bush Intercontinental (IAH): fly2houston.com/iah
- Hobby Airport (HOU): fly2houston.com/hou
- TSA Wait Times (nationwide): tsa.gov/travel/wait-times
- Flight status and delays: flightaware.com
What travelers should do
Airport officials recommend that passengers arrive at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights.
Delays are possible as the FAA continues to manage staffing shortages and nationwide flight reductions.