Houston airport - meeting point?

Posted by Kathleen (Reston, VA, USA) on 06/03/19 06:29 PM

Several of us will be arriving at IAH/Houston airport around 2:30/3pm from different locations - daughter coming from Amsterdam, and the rest of us from Washington Dulles - and we will have nominally 3 hours before we fly together to Salt Lake City at 6:16. We are all on United. It looks as if the international flight will land at E and clear customs/immigration there and the rest of us will land at Terminal C. For those familiar with the Houston airport, any suggestions on where we could meet and hang out while we wait for our next flight, which is probably leaving from Terminal B? I could go meet my daughter after she clears customs/immigration [she may be toast after her 10+ hour flight], but the rest of my party includes Mom in a wheelchair so I'd like to get her settled someplace that's between our arrival and departure locations.

For bonus points, any advice on where to grab some food we can eat on the plane to Salt Lake City?

Thanks in advance to all the knowledgeable folks here on the Forum!

Posted by RJean

New York, NY

06/03/19 07:00 PM

1593 posts

Terminal E is the very comfortable Terminal to spend a few hours during your layover. Ruby's diner is a great place to eat there.

https://www.rubys.com/locations/houston-airport/

Posted by Kathleen OP

Reston, VA, USA

06/03/19 07:32 PM

811 posts

Thanks for the suggestion, RJean. Unfortunately, this would make Mom [and her wheelchair driver] backtrack to Term E when she really just needs to get from C to B. If there's no good meeting point in C or B, maybe I'll meet my daughter in E and let the others just make their way to our B gate.

Posted by Mark

Houston

06/03/19 11:56 PM

3522 posts

All the terminals are connected inside security by the overhead tram. So, no need to go through security again for those arriving domestic. Just look for the tram to the other terminals. International arrivals requires a check after immigration and customs which is unavoidable. But you end up inside the terminal steps from the tram. International clearance is running an hour to an hour and a half all day these days if you don't have Global Entry.

I would suggest meeting in terminal B, if that is where your onward flight departs from, right where the inter terminal tram lets you off. There are seats available at the tram stop and it would be hard to miss anyone there. The wheelchair driver will have no issues doing this.

The entire airport is undergoing a remodel which is adding lots of new food and shopping options. Terminal B is special because most of the food places there are local Houston restaurant based or at least places you have heard of and not generic food service. And the prices are not excessive as in many airports. There are multiple options for meals to take on your onward flight.

Posted by Kathleen OP

Reston, VA, USA

06/05/19 08:15 PM

811 posts

Thanks, Mark; since our international arrival is due in before the rest of us, it makes sense to meet at the tram stop in Term B. Daughter does not have Global Entry, alas, but I think she does have Mobile Passport which often works about as quickly. Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed for decent weather and no storm delays!