From the upper level of the new Terminal B Central Processor at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), sunlight now floods through newly installed curtainwall glass, opening views across an active construction site filled with cranes and crews at work. The progress is clear — and visible.
The curtainwall installation marks a major milestone in the Terminal B Transformation Project; a collaboration between United Airlines and Houston Airports to reimagine one of the airport’s original terminals. When it opens in 2026, Terminal B will look and function entirely differently from the facility built more than half a century ago.
Across the project footprint, transformation is visible in every direction. Structural steel defines new concourses, and crews are actively installing mechanical systems, flooring and interior finishes that will bring the vision to life.
Designed around intuitive passenger movement and inspired by Houston, the new Terminal B North Concourse will span approximately 765,000 square feet across three levels, replacing the original 1969-era flight stations with two new passenger concourses. Inside, 22 gates will serve United’s growing fleet as part of the airline’s United NEXT initiative. A 54,000-square-foot United Club at the mezzanine level will offer panoramic airfield views — the largest in United’s system — along with new amenities focused on comfort and accessibility.
Travelers will also find inclusive spaces such as a Sensory Room for passengers with hidden disabilities, a United-branded interactive park that combines art and technology, and quiet zones for relaxation. Two new concessions hubs will offer more than 115,000 square feet of dining and retail space supported by advanced food service technology. Beneath it all, an upgraded baggage handling system will move thousands of bags with precision using advanced tracking tools.
The Terminal B South concourse will modernize 18 E175 gates, replacing older layouts with upgraded hold rooms designed around United’s “gate of the future” standards. Each improvement focuses on making the passenger journey smoother from curb to cabin.
At the heart of the project is the Central Processor — the architectural centerpiece of the transformation. The expansion and renovation, totaling more than 440,000 square feet, will support future growth to 36 million passengers annually. The redesigned space includes a new baggage claim hall, modern ticketing lobby, expanded security checkpoint and enhanced airline and airport support areas. The design simplifies every step of the journey, with a streamlined third-floor security checkpoint, direct connections to concessions and concourses, and improved roadway flow with expanded curbsides, updated signage and intuitive wayfinding.
The $2.5 billion Terminal B Transformation is one of the most significant airport projects in the country, representing years of collaboration between United Airlines, Houston Airports and the design and construction teams shaping the next generation of travel in Houston.
And now, as sunlight pours through the new glass façade and the terminal begins to take its shape, that future is visible.
Completion is scheduled for fall 2026.
Source: Houston Airports (Edited by Subcontractors USA)
