George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

[57Tbird]

I remember very well going to the opening. The Goodyear Blimp and the Navy's Blue Angels were there, in addition to some stunt-flying aircraft. It was hot as blazes that day, and we all came home with nice sunburns. I took several reels of Super8mm movies. I need to have them converted to DVD and then figure out how to make them into an internet compatible format.

[Houston19514]

From the 1940 air terminal website:

June 8, 1969:

All scheduled airline service moves from Hobby Airport to Houston Intercontinental Airport.

[Houston19514]

OOPS Double post. sorry

Edited March 6, 2007 by Houston19514

[Vertigo58]

I remember very well going to the opening. The Goodyear Blimp and the Navy's Blue Angels were there, in addition to some stunt-flying aircraft. It was hot as blazes that day, and we all came home with nice sunburns. I took several reels of Super8mm movies. I need to have them converted to DVD and then figure out how to make them into an internet compatible format.

That is incredible! That footage is probably considered quite news worthy & invaluable now.

As another remembrance during these times, I recall my mom always trying to talk my sister out of flying for Eastern because Cuba was at such odds with the US and that was the prime destination for hi-jackings! Castro was in his prime then. We still have her psychedelic-designed luggage from then too. Totally 60's.

Edited March 7, 2007 by Vertigo58

[nm5k]

I made an attempt to locate specific date the airport opened but could not find, was it 1969?

I must say one of the most exciting times for me was going to the Intercontinental airport when it 1st opened. My big sister was a "stewardess" for Eastern Airlines from around 1968-1972. Whenever she was in town we would drive waaaayyyy far from Houston to pick her up at this new airport you always would hear about. Seemed like an eternity to get there but it was well worth it! As a nine year old kid it seemed so exciting to see the big jet planes taxiing down the runways and hearing them fly overhead. The hustle and bustle of the crowd was even more exciting. I recall almost everyone being so well dressed, but what really floored me was the airline staff. They were always dressed so professionally. In those days stewardess's had to be single, no children, beautiful and the right weight. Basically perfect in every way. Luckily I still have my old Eastern Airlines toy plane. Just wondered if any others remember visiting the airport and of other airlines that used to stop over at that time, ie: Pan-Am, etc.

Anyone know where to find pics of official opening?

I flew into IAH in Nov 1969. That was when we moved here from K.C. Came in on a braniff 727..

That was when all the braniff planes had the funky day glo colors.. I think ours was kind of a

baby doo-doo green.. :/ I didn't see much of it, just where we actually went in the terminal. But I remember

it being nearly brand new.

MK

[Houston1stWordOnTheMoon]

Heres a few sites with atleast one original pic of the airport from 1969

http://rda.rice.edu/contentimage/general/06galainvite.pdf

http://www.houstonfreeways.com/ebook/Easte...eway_150ppi.pdf

This website is for you airport history buffs out there. Lots of little known and forgotten airports in the Houston area, enjoy.

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/TX/Airfie..._Houston_SE.htm

[gto250us]

The airport opened in June 1969.

[gonzo1976]

The Sunday, June 8, 1969, edition of the Post said the first flight landed at the airport "shortly after midnight Saturday."

That plane was a Texas International jet carrying dignitaries and reporters.

"The new airport, with two terminals completed, has 40 gate positions. William P. Hobby has only 19 gates," the Post reported.

[dbigtex56]

When did Terminal C open?

I moved here in October of '81, and seem to recall that it had just opened (or opened soon thereafter.)

[fresnel151]

Ha! We used to do that, too - couldn't be beat for low-cost fun. Even as late as high school, I had a few friends that would occasionally head out there just to ride around and around on the tram. You probably couldn't do something like that now without attracting unwanted attention from Homeland Security.

Thought we were the only ones bored enough to go out there and just ride the train back and forth from A to B at 1AM! Once went to the revolving restaurant on top of the hotel for dinner on prom night. One of our groups dad was an ATC and we got to go up into the tower after dinner. That was fun.

[roym]

Don't know the year on this PC, but pretty old.

So is this an old picture of Hobby Airport?

Here's one from December 1954

Edited March 9, 2007 by roym

[dbigtex56]

Don't know the year on this PC, but pretty old.

This is a picture of Houston International Airport (now William P. Hobby Airport), not Houston Intercontinental Airport.

The International terminal shown was constructed in 1954; judging by the car in the foreground and the newly planted trees, I'd guess this photo was taken at about that time.

[roym]

This is a picture of Houston International Airport (now William P. Hobby Airport), not Houston Intercontinental Airport.

The International terminal shown was constructed in 1954; judging by the car in the foreground and the newly planted trees, I'd guess this photo was taken at about that time.

Ah, thanks - did u see the b&w one I just uploaded?

[Vertigo58]

[Earlydays]

Ah, thanks - did u see the b&w one I just uploaded?

I remember going to the opening of "Hobby" as a 9 year old boy and seeing the Blue Angels perform.

[Vertigo58]

Typical Stewardess attire in the mid 60's. Had to be single, no children and beautiful!

Very common to see these ladies around our NEW Intercontinental Airport. This is my big sister.

Edited July 30, 2007 by Vertigo58

[Vertigo58]

and graduation day from airline school was the best! 1969

Edited July 27, 2007 by Vertigo58

[citykid09]

we would go just to ride the underground tram!

You? Mr. Anti Rail? LOL! Just kidding!

I have always wondered why they named it Bush Intercontinental instead of Bush International airport like all the other airports. I know you guys like stuff in Houston to be different, but in this case it sounds better as international.

[musicman]

You? Mr. Anti Rail? LOL! Just kidding!

I have always wondered why they named it Bush Intercontinental instead of Bush International airport like all the other airports. I know you guys like stuff in Houston to be different, but in this case it sounds better as international.

intercontinental had more of a worldly flavor.

moi anti rail?

[FilioScotia]

I have always wondered why they named it Bush Intercontinental instead of Bush International airport like all the other airports.

One reason was the fact that Houston already had an "international" airport. Hobby was called Houston International Airport before they named it for the former Governor. City officials felt that the new and bigger airport needed a "bigger" name. Ergo Houston Intercontinental was born.

It's better than that godawful original name they stuck on that airport in Dallas. It was named Dallas-Fort Worth Inter-Regional Airport. Remember that one?

[VicMan]

In a strange way, IAH feels somewhat new with Terminal E (I flew out of and into that terminal when I flew to Japan last May/June).

[editor]

intercontinental had more of a worldly flavor.

If Houston ever gets that third airport out near Katy, I guess they're obligated to name it Houston Intergalactic Airport.

[moni]

I remember thinking that the Intercontinental Airport was way too far away from Houston for anyone to want to go there. It seemed so far away as to be in another city; I couldn't understand why they built the airport so far away, lol.

[musicman]

If Houston ever gets that third airport out near Katy, I guess they're obligated to name it Houston Intergalactic Airport.

i'd vote for doing something to ellington instead.

[VicMan]

That also reminds me - If Galveston becomes a larger tourist destination than it is now, should Scholes gain commercial aircraft flights? Since Scholes has military flights, I wonder what types of commercial aircraft Scholes can support.

[editor]

That also reminds me - If Galveston becomes a larger tourist destination than it is now, should Scholes gain commercial aircraft flights? Since Scholes has military flights, I wonder what types of commercial aircraft Scholes can support.

I'd rather see something on the mainland where there's room for expansion. Scholes could take commuter flights and the jet set like London City airport.

[VicMan]

I'd rather see something on the mainland where there's room for expansion. Scholes could take commuter flights and the jet set like London City airport.

I picture a London City-esque operation, such as American Eagle flights to Dallas/Fort Worth. If 737s can be supported, Southwest Airlines to Dallas Love could work.

[JLWM8609]

That also reminds me - If Galveston becomes a larger tourist destination than it is now, should Scholes gain commercial aircraft flights? Since Scholes has military flights, I wonder what types of commercial aircraft Scholes can support.

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that Scholes can support aircraft as big as the Boeing 767, not fully loaded of course.

[VicMan]

If Scholes can support a 767, then Southwest Airlines (which has 737s) could start commuter flights from Galveston to Dallas Love, Austin, and/or San Antonio.

This could be in addition to an American Eagle service to DFW.

Edited July 28, 2007 by VicMan

[gonzo1976]

Just wanted to add my two cents in here:

I took a tour of the 1940 terminal over at Hobby earlier this week. Pretty cool place, but it's a work in progress. I still recommend it.

Anyway, the guy giving me a tour of the place made the first landing at IAH! Great guy with probably a million stories.

[devonhart]

I remember thinking that the Intercontinental Airport was way too far away from Houston for anyone to want to go there. I couldn't understand why they built the airport so far away, lol.

It was real far away, somebody built a motel in anticipation of the completion of the airport, but apparently the airport's completion date was severly delayed, the dude went bankrupt before it opened. At least that's what my fuzzy memory recalls.

[Vertigo58]

I remember thinking that the Intercontinental Airport was way too far away from Houston for anyone to want to go there. It seemed so far away as to be in another city; I couldn't understand why they built the airport so far away, lol.

It did seem like a zillion miles away from Houston! Your right!

We would get a call from my sis when she would fly in for a stop over and mom would say who wants to go!? Of course we went crazy and fought for the best seat in the car. We must have drove mom crazy just acticipating our arrival at the NEW airport to meet her. It was so exciting hearing and seeing the big airliners moving around with the twinkling lights, etc. Like I mentioned at the beginning, most of the crowd were always dressed up. We used to worry for her alot too because hijackings to Cuba were in thier prime in these days.

[Mikeytex]

..........Came in on a braniff 727......That was when all the braniff planes had the funky day glo colors.. I think ours was kind of a baby doo-doo green...............

Man, you sure can crush a Braniff fan's groove!!!! Just kidding........they were actually "pastel" colors, with some being a "Panagra" variety, and are aptly referred to as Jellybeans. I used to love watching them land/takeoff at Hobby.

[Mikeytex]

Just wanted to add my two cents in here:

I took a tour of the 1940 terminal over at Hobby earlier this week. Pretty cool place, but it's a work in progress. I still recommend it.

Anyway, the guy giving me a tour of the place made the first landing at IAH! Great guy with probably a million stories.

That was A.J. High who worked for Trans Texas Airways/Texas International/Continental. I second the motion on the 1940 air terminal. It is truly a great place to take in an overload of nostalgia. I actually signed a waiver and went into the "off limits" areas with a volunteer. We ended up in the old tower.................if walls could talk!

[lockmat]

Check out the master plans for the airports. Some good images to look at

http://www.houstonairportsystem.org/iahMasterPlan

plans include to demolish the hotel

some major land acquisition on the south-east side as well, including much residential.

Edited September 19, 2007 by lockmat

[C2H]

That's quite an old article but interesting read though.

[holden]

That's quite an old article but interesting read though.

I guess terminal B, C and E will get more restaurants.. was there a news report about terminal C tonight?

[Subdude]

It will be interesting if they are able to follow this plan for IAH. It would end up duplicating the layout of Atlanta Hartsfeld (without the Marta station). Very ambitious, but I think it is a good thing for the city to continue investing in airport infrastructure.

[GovernorAggie]

The good thing is that airports (due to airlines, it seems) tend to follow through on their plans--no matter how long they may take.

[urban909]

here's another link. carriers seem to be interested in adding houston to their network. the houston-lagos market would be a goldmine. virgin nigeria seems wants this route, but again there is issue with foreign ownership, etc. http://www.fly2houston.com/0/471920/0/1906/

Edited September 20, 2007 by urban909

[lockmat]

It will be interesting if they are able to follow this plan for IAH. It would end up duplicating the layout of Atlanta Hartsfeld (without the Marta station). Very ambitious, but I think it is a good thing for the city to continue investing in airport infrastructure.

I thought I read somewhere on their website that funds for expansion were raised through private means?

EDIT:

If you click on the brochure for the master plan, it says, "Revenue generated by the airport, not tax dollars, is used to fund airport development projects. Airport generated revenue includes airport user fees, ticket taxes, federal grants, concession revenues, and proceeds from the sale of airport revenue bonds."

Edited September 20, 2007 by lockmat

[lockmat]

here's another link. carriers seem to be interested in adding houston to their network. the houston-lagos market would be a goldmine. virgin nigeria seems wants this route, but again there is issue with foreign ownership, etc. http://www.fly2houston.com/0/471920/0/1906/

I found an article saying how difficult it is for Houston Nigerians to get to Nigeria. Apparently, Houston has the most Nigerians in the country, yet we still don't have a consilant office. But i guess there have been attempts to get direct flights there, but Nigeria won't give them landing permits or something like that.

[MidtownCoog]

Last I remember the State Department had a Travel Advisory regarding the Lagos airport. Not sure if it has been lifted.

I know O&G guys who have been and they say it's an dangerous exercise getting in and out.

Edit: It still stands.

The department also has a warning in effect for the airport in Bogota, Colombia, similar to that for Athens. It has taken the more severe step of banning direct traffic between the United States and Lagos, Nigeria, because of security problems at the airport in Lagos.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...757C0A960958260

Edited September 20, 2007 by MidtownCoog

[VicMan]

Coog: That article is from 1996.

The ban against Nigeria was lifted (Delta Air Lines is set to get a route from Atlanta to Lagos, pending Nigerian Govt approval)

[MidtownCoog]

D'oh!

At any rate, it's a place only a Nigerian would want to go. And Nigerian gangs in Houston know who goes back and forth. And the next thing you know, you get a visit to see what you may have brought back.

This information is current as of today, Thu Sep 20 14:40:43 2007.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country and tends to peak between November and January, during the holiday period.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html

[GovernorAggie]

I think that travel to Abuja should be ok. It's Lagos that's the risk of your own life and well-being. It's too bad because Lagos was going to be one of the world's next great cities. It had a long-range plan (completed by the Wilbur Smith and Associates consulting firm) that included land use, LRT, and so many other great enhancements. And then the military took over the country and used Lagos as its pilfering central. I have friends from Lagos and while things are looking up, they have a LOOOOOOONG way to go! They are also building a new domestic terminal at their airport and are building new subdivisions and master planned communities left and right--just like what you'd see in Houston. Lagos is also getting a rather surprisingly large number of 5-star hotels.

By the way, Lagos went from like 300,000 people in 1950 to (by some counts) anywhere from 7 to 15 MILLION today!!!!! Depending on the agency, it's also predicted to be among the world's 10 largest cities by 2010 (IIRC).

Order or none, growth that fast is bound to throw things out of whack.

Edited September 20, 2007 by GovernorAggie

[102IAHexpress]

Continental doesn

[VicMan]

102IAH: It is true that CO's intentions of expanding transatlantically (and transpacifically) from Houston will be revealed once the 787s come.

CO/COEx expanded services to Latin America (from Mexico to Argentina) and the Caribbean after the new terminal opened.

The following new international routes to Houston opened in...

2007:

* Mexico

** Loreto: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?...&highlight=

2005:

* Argentina

** Buenos Aires: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Colombia

** Cali: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Dominican Republic

** Punta Cana (No longer in service): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

*Guatemala

** Tikal/Flores (No longer in service): http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Mexico

** Queretaro: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

2004:

* Honduras

** Roatan: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Jaimaica

** Montego Bay: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Mexico

** Durango: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

** Huatulco: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

* Trinidad and Tobago

** Port of Spain: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

Note: Quito and Guayaquil were split into separate routes in 2004. Before the split, the aircraft flew Houston-Quito-Guayaquil-Houston: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/...t.aspx?i=PRNEWS

Edited September 22, 2007 by VicMan

[HtownWxBoy]

Continental doesn

[Trae]

D'oh!

At any rate, it's a place only a Nigerian would want to go. And Nigerian gangs in Houston know who goes back and forth. And the next thing you know, you get a visit to see what you may have brought back.

This information is current as of today, Thu Sep 20 14:40:43 2007.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country and tends to peak between November and January, during the holiday period.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html

I have been to Nigeria twice (1993 and 2000). From what I can remember, it wasn't all that bad. My parents said we never ran into problems, or anything. We had one of my dad's brother pick us up though, because many of the taxi drivers over there will rob you on the spot, and put you out in the middle of nowhere. Especially if you are from America.