George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH)
Large airport · Houston, Texas, United States
Airport data
| Name | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KIAH |
| IATA | IAH |
| Elevation | 97 ft (30 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 29°59'4" W 95°20'29" 29.98440, -95.34140 |
| Location | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08L/26R | 9,000 ft (2743 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
| 08R/26L | 9,402 ft (2866 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
| 09/27 | 10,000 ft (3048 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 15L/33R | 12,001 ft (3658 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
| 15R/33L | 10,000 ft (3048 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
George Bush Intercontinental Airport at a glance
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a large airport in Houston, Texas, United States, known to airline systems as IAH. The field elevation of 97 ft (30 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KIAH are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 5 runways, the longest — 15L/33R — offers 12,001 ft (3658 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15L points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KIAH shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| William P. Hobby Airport | KHOU | 38 km (21 NM) |
| Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport | KCXO | 41 km (22 NM) |
| Ellington Airport | KEFD | 45 km (24 NM) |
| Sugar Land Regional Airport | KSGR | 50 km (27 NM) |
| Huntsville Regional Airport | KUTS | 88 km (48 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 97 ft field elevation of George Bush Intercontinental Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about George Bush Intercontinental Airport
What is the ICAO code of George Bush Intercontinental Airport?
The ICAO identifier of George Bush Intercontinental Airport is KIAH, and its IATA code is IAH. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is George Bush Intercontinental Airport above sea level?
George Bush Intercontinental Airport sits at an elevation of 97 feet (30 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is George Bush Intercontinental Airport located?
The airport lies at 29.9844, -95.3414 — in Houston, Texas, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is William P. Hobby Airport, about 38 km away.
Does KIAH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KIAH appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport?
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has 5 runways. The longest, 15L/33R, measures 12,001 ft (3658 m) with a CON surface.