HOUSTON – If you’re planning to travel this Memorial Day weekend, prepare for crowded airports and longer wait times.
With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer, airport officials are expecting one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
More than 1.3 million passengers are expected to travel through Houston Airport’s facilities, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, through next week.
Airport officials are urging travelers to plan before heading to the airport, especially when it comes to parking, traffic delays, and confirming which terminal their flight departs from.
One major change travelers may notice this summer is the reopening of Terminal E at Bush Airport following a massive $1.5 billion renovation project. Officials say the terminal now includes updated TSA checkpoints, a new baggage handling system, and expanded space for international airlines.
The improvements come as Houston prepares for an increase in international travel this summer, which is expected to make terminals even busier.
Travelers also now have another transportation option to the airport. Officials say METRO Downtown Direct now connects downtown Houston to both Bush and Hobby airports, giving passengers an alternative to rideshare apps and airport parking.
Airport leaders are encouraging passengers to arrive early, warning that terminals, curbsides, and TSA checkpoints are expected to remain crowded throughout the Memorial Day holiday and into next week as summer travel officially ramps up.