SkyReady
← Back

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

IAH · KIAH · Houston, TX · 97 ft elevation · var 3E · Towered

Airport information

ICAO / IATA
KIAH / IAH
Coordinates
29.9844, -95.3414
Elevation
97 ft MSL
Magnetic variation
3E
Sectional chart
HOUSTON
Airport use
Public
Control tower
Yes
Tower hours
24 hours
Airspace
Class B
Weather station
ASOS · 124.05 · ☎ 713-338-9561
ARTCC
HOUSTON (ZHU)
Flight service (FSS)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY · 1-800-WX-BRIEF
NOTAM facility
IAH
Attendance
ALL ALL
Beacon
white-green (SS-SR)
Segmented circle
No
Wind indicator
lighted
FAR 139 class
I E
Activated
1963/01
Distance from city
15 N

Weather

METAR observed

Loading current weather…

TAF forecast

Loading forecast…

Sun & FAA night 2026-06-22

EventLocal (CDT)UTC
Morning civil twilight
Loggable night ends
05:54 AM10:54Z
Sunrise06:21 AM11:21Z
Sunset08:26 PM01:26Z
Evening civil twilight
Loggable night begins
08:53 PM01:53Z
Loggable night (§1.1)
08:53 PM → 05:54 AM
Night currency (§61.57)
09:26 PM → 05:21 AM

Plan a flight from KIAH

Night operations

Airport lighting
SS-SR
Rotating beacon
white-green · SS-SR
Pilot-controlled lighting
Usually keyed on CTAF 122.95 — confirm the click sequence in the Chart Supplement ↗

Runway lighting aids — 08L: ALSF2 · 26R: ALSF2 · 08R: 4-light PAPI (left) + MALSR · 26L: 4-light PAPI (right) + ALSF2 · 09: 4-light PAPI (right) + MALSR · 27: 4-light PAPI (left) + ALSF2 · 15L: 4-light PAPI (right) · 33R: MALSR · 15R: 4-light PAPI (left) + MALSR · 33L: 4-light PAPI (right).

FAA night windows (civil twilight, loggable night §1.1, currency §61.57) are in the live weather panel above.

Traffic pattern

08LTPANESW
LEFT traffic
Landing
Rwy 08L · 087°
Pattern
left (turns left)
TPA
1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
CTAF
122.95

Enter the left downwind for Rwy 08L at 1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) on a 45°. TPA estimated at 1,000 ft AGL (not charted for this field).

Runway 08L/26R

9,000 ft × 150 ft · Concrete (Excellent)

Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 75k, Double wheel 210k, Dual tandem 409k, Double dual tandem 873k.

08L
Heading
087° mag · 90° true
Threshold elev
91 ft
Markings
precision
Approach lights
ALSF2
Instrument landing
ILS/DME · CAT III · LOC 111.55 (BZU) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
TDZ elevation
94 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
9,000 / 9,000 / 9,000 / 9,000 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ
26R
Heading
267° mag · 270° true
Threshold elev
94 ft
Markings
precision
Approach lights
ALSF2
Instrument landing
ILS/DME · CAT III · LOC 111.55 (OND) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
TDZ elevation
95 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
9,000 / 9,000 / 9,000 / 9,000 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ

Runway 08R/26L

9,402 ft × 150 ft · Concrete (Good)

Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 75k, Double wheel 210k, Dual tandem 498k, Double dual tandem 873k.

08R
Heading
087° mag · 90° true
Threshold elev
94 ft
Markings
precision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
Approach lights
MALSR
Instrument landing
ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 109.7 (IAH) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
72 ft
TDZ elevation
95 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
9,402 / 9,402 / 9,402 / 9,402 ft
LAHSO
9,019 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ
26L
Heading
267° mag · 270° true
Threshold elev
92 ft
Markings
precision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (right) (3°)
Approach lights
ALSF2
Instrument landing
ILS/DME · CAT IIIB · LOC 109.7 (JYV) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
71 ft
TDZ elevation
95 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
9,402 / 9,402 / 9,402 / 9,402 ft
LAHSO
9,010 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ

Runway 09/27

10,000 ft × 150 ft · Concrete (Good)

Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Double wheel 210k, Dual tandem 560k.

09
Heading
087° mag · 90° true
Threshold elev
90 ft
Markings
precision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (right) (3°)
Approach lights
MALSR
Instrument landing
ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 110.9 (UYO) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
71 ft
TDZ elevation
90 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 ft
End lights
centerline
27
Heading
267° mag · 270° true
Threshold elev
84 ft
Markings
precision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
Approach lights
ALSF2
Instrument landing
ILS/DME · CAT IIIB · LOC 110.9 (GHI) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
70 ft
TDZ elevation
86 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ

Runway 15L/33R

12,001 ft × 150 ft · Concrete (Good)

Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 100k, Double wheel 200k, Dual tandem 400k, Double dual tandem 800k.

15L
Heading
149° mag · 152° true
Threshold elev
95 ft
Markings
nonprecision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (right) (3°)
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
58 ft
TDZ elevation
95 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
12,001 / 12,001 / 12,001 / 12,001 ft
End lights
centerline
33R
Heading
329° mag · 332° true
Threshold elev
85 ft
Markings
precision
Approach lights
MALSR
Instrument landing
ILS · CAT I · LOC 111.9 (CDG) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
TDZ elevation
88 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
12,001 / 12,001 / 12,001 / 12,001 ft
End lights
centerline

Runway 15R/33L

10,000 ft × 150 ft · Concrete (Good)

Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 75k, Double wheel 200k, Dual tandem 400k, Double dual tandem 873k.

15R
Heading
149° mag · 152° true
Threshold elev
95 ft
Markings
precision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
Approach lights
MALSR
Instrument landing
LOC/GS · CAT I · LOC 111.15 (LKM) · GS 3.00°
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
71 ft
TDZ elevation
95 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ
33L
Heading
329° mag · 332° true
Threshold elev
87 ft
Markings
nonprecision
VGSI
4-light PAPI (right) (3°)
Traffic pattern
Left
Threshold crossing height
59 ft
TDZ elevation
89 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 ft
End lights
centerline, TDZ
ft · ≥1.5× comfortable, under 1.25× tight · saved across airports

Communication frequencies

Tower & ground · “Houston”

ATIS124.05
Clearance128.1
Ground118.575 (RWY 08L/26R, 08R/26L, 09/27) · 119.95 · 121.7 (RWY 15L/33R, 15R/33L)
Tower120.725 (RWY 08L/26R) · 125.35 (RWY 08R/26L) · 127.3 (RWY 15L/33R, 15R/33L) · 135.15 (RWY 09/27)
UNICOM122.95
Flight service122.4
Emergency121.5

Approach & departure · “Houston”

Approach120.05EAST · DOOBI · GESNR · HUDZY +3 more arrivals
Approach124.35WEST · DRLLR · GUSHR · MSCOT +2 more arrivals
Departure119.7NORTH
Departure123.8WEST
Departure127.125FLYZA RNAV · GUMBY · HOODO RNAV +4 more departures

ATC assigns the exact frequency (in your clearance or on handoff) — which one depends on your SID (departing) or STAR (arriving).

By procedure & sector (21 frequencies)
FrequencyUsed by
119.175DUUUK STAR · HTOWN STAR · TEJAS STAR
119.625GILCO STAR · LINKK STAR · NNCEE STAR · SOULL STAR
120.05DOOBI STAR · GESNR STAR · HUDZY STAR · OHIIO STAR · SKNRD STAR · ZEEKK STAR
124.35DRLLR STAR · GUSHR STAR · MSCOT STAR · RIICE STAR · TTORO STAR
126.675BNDTO DP · JUNCTION DP · PITZZ RNAV DP
127.125CLASS B (EAST) · FLYZA RNAV DP · GUMBY DP · HOODO RNAV DP · LAKE CHARLES DP · MMUGS RNAV DP · RITAA RNAV DP · TRUAX DP
132.25ALEXANDRIA DP · BLTWY RNAV DP · CRIED DP · EL DORADO DP · GIFFA DP · INDIE DP · LEONA DP · LUFKIN DP · LURIC RNAV DP · STRYA RNAV DP · STYCK RNAV DP · WYLSN RNAV DP
134.3BAZBL RNAV STAR
226.675GILCO STAR · LINKK STAR · NNCEE STAR · SOULL STAR
257.2DEP/P (EAST)
257.7DEP/P (WEST)
269.075CLASS B (EAST) · FLYZA RNAV DP · GUMBY RNAV DP · HOODO RNAV DP · LAKE CHARLES DP · MMUGS RNAV DP · RITAA RNAV DP · TRUAX DP
281.4DEP/P (NORTH)
285.425ALEXANDRIA DP · BLTWY RNAV DP · CRIED DP · EL DORADO DP · GIFFA DP · INDIE RNAV DP · LEONA DP · LUFKIN DP · LURIC RNAV DP · STRYA RNAV DP · STYCK RNAV DP · WYLSN RNAV DP
288.25LCL/P (RWY 15L/33R, 15R/33L)
290.2LCL/P (RWY 08L/26R, 08R/26L, 09/27)
291.675DUUUK STAR · HTOWN STAR · TEJAS STAR
316.15APCH/P IC (WEST) · DRLLR STAR · MSCOT STAR · RIICE STAR · TTORO STAR
339.8BNDTO DP · INDUSTRY DP · JUNCTION DP · PITZZ RNAV DP
360.85BAZBL RNAV STAR
379.1APCH/P IC (NORTH & EAST) · DOOBI STAR · GESNR STAR · HUDZY STAR · OHIIO STAR · SKNRD STAR · ZEEKK STAR

Source: FAA NASR (current 28-day cycle).

Instrument landing systems

RunwayILS
RWY 08LILS/DME · CAT III · LOC 111.55 (BZU) · GS 3.00°
RWY 26RILS/DME · CAT III · LOC 111.55 (OND) · GS 3.00°
RWY 08RILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 109.7 (IAH) · GS 3.00°
RWY 26LILS/DME · CAT IIIB · LOC 109.7 (JYV) · GS 3.00°
RWY 27ILS/DME · CAT IIIB · LOC 110.9 (GHI) · GS 3.00°
RWY 09ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 110.9 (UYO) · GS 3.00°
RWY 33RILS · CAT I · LOC 111.9 (CDG) · GS 3.00°
RWY 15RLOC/GS · CAT I · LOC 111.15 (LKM) · GS 3.00°

Source: FAA NASR (current 28-day cycle).

Nearby navigation aids

NavAidTypeFreqRadial / Dist magnetic
IAH · HumbleVORTAC116.60r003° / 1.7 NM
HUB · HobbyVOR-DME117.10r345° / 20 NM
EFD · EllingtonTACAN109.40r332° / 24.6 NM
DAS · DaisettaVORTAC116.90r246° / 38.2 NM

Airport diagram

Open PDF ↗
Preview diagram Open the airport diagram PDF

Procedures at a glance

Lowest mins: ILS · vertical guidance Takeoff mins / ODP ↗

Approaches38

Departures

Arrivals

Minimums & Hot Spots

Chart Supplement FAA A/FD

Open PDF ↗
Preview Chart Supplement Open the Chart Supplement PDF

VFR sectional

Open KIAH on the VFR sectional (SkyVector) ↗

Services

Fuel available
100LL, Jet A
Bottled oxygen
NONE
Bulk oxygen
LOW
Airframe service
MAJOR
Powerplant service
MAJOR
Parking
tiedowns, hangars
Other services
Air freight, Avionics, Cargo

Ownership & management

Owner
CITY OF HOUSTON
PO BOX 60106, HOUSTON, TX
281-233-1131
Manager
STEVEN RUNGE
PO BOX 60106, HOUSTON, TX
281-233-1131

Remarks FAA

  • BIRDS ON & INVOF ARPT.
  • TXLN 'RA', 'RB', 'RC', 'R2', AND TWY 'SC' NORTH OF TWY 'SB' ARE DSGND NON-MOVEMENT AREAS OPERD BY UAL RAMP CTL.
  • 9 FT AGL UNMKD SECURITY FENCE ADJ TO FBO & CORPORATE BASE OPR RAMPS AND NONMOV AREA TXLS.
  • TWY 'NR' CLSD TO ACFT WITH WING SPANS GREATER THAN 125 FT BTN TWY 'WD' & TWY 'WB'.
  • TWY 'SF' BTN TWY 'NB' AND TXL 'RA' IS DSGND NON-MOV AREA.
  • DUAL TWY OPNS TWY NK BTN TWY NB & NORTH RAMP; WEST CNTRLN RSTRD TO ACFT MAX WING SPANS 125 FT & EAST CNTRLN MAX WING SPANS 214 FT.
  • THE FLWG MOV AREAS ARE NOT VSB FM THE ATCT: PORTIONS OF TWYS 'WA' & 'WB' FM TWY 'WH' TO THE AER 33R; TWYS 'WA' & 'WB' FM TWY 'WD' NORTH FOR 400 FT; TWY 'WD' FM TWY 'WA' TO TWY 'NR'; TWY 'NR'; TWY 'WL' FM RWY 15L TO TWY 'WB' & TWY 'WM'.
  • RWY 15L/33R MAGNETIC ANOMALIES MAY AFFECT COMPASS HDG FOR TKOF.
  • TWYS WA & WB MAGNETIC ANOMALIES MAY AFFECT COMPASS HDG.
  • APRON TERMINAL ALPHA NORTH RAMP NORTH-SOUTH TXL CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 125 FT.
  • TWY WC WEST OF RWY 15R/33L RSTRD TO ACFT WITH 118 FT WING SPAN AND BLW.
  • NOISE SENSITIVE AREA N, E AND W OF ARPT.
  • RWY STATUS LGTS ARE IN OPN.
  • TWY WW RUN UP PAD FOR RWY 15L CLSD TO ACFT WITH WINGSPAN 135 FT & OVER.
  • RWY 09/27 CLSD TO ACFT WITH WINGSPAN 215 FT & ABOVE.
  • TWY SF BTN RWY 09/27 UP TO AND INCLUDING THE EAST BRIDGE CLSD TO ACFT WITH WINGSPAN 215 FT & OVER.
  • TWY NR BTN TWY NC AND TWY WW CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 214 FT.
  • TWY WW BTN TWY NR AND TWY WB CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 214 FT.
  • TWY NR BTN WW AND TWY WB DSGND NON-MOVEMENT AREA.
  • TWY NK BTN TWY NB AND TERMINAL D RAMP SIMULTANEOUS ACFT OPS PROHIBITED WHEN MIDDLE TAXILANE IN USE.
  • HEL HOVER/TAXI RSTRD TO HARD SFC MOV AREAS ONLY.
  • GBAS APCH SVC VOL 20NM FR THR, ALL GLS APCHS.
  • TWY NA LGT ALL BTN TWY WP AND TWY NP NOT STD
  • PILOTS & CREWS SHOULD BE AWARE OF DEP TURNS ON CRS IN EXCESS OF 180 DEGS. PILOT READ BACK OF DRCTN OF TURN IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.
  • WILDLIFE HAZ BATS INVOF IAH.
  • APRON TERMINAL ALPHA NORTH RAMP SPOT 5 CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 118 FT.
  • APRON TERMINAL ALPHA NORTH RAMP EAST-WEST TXL CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 118 FT.
  • APRON TERMINAL ALPHA NORTH RAMP SPOT 6 CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 125 FT.
  • TWY WD BTN TWY NR AND TWY WB CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 171 FT.
  • TWY NJ BTN TWY NB AND TERMINAL C RAMP SIMULTANEOUS ACFT OPS PROHIBITED WHEN MIDDLE TAXILANE IN USE, MIDDLE TAXILANE CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 214FT.
  • DUAL TWY OPNS TWY NJ BTN TWY NB & TERMINAL C RAMP; WEST CNTRLN RSTRD TO ACFT MAX WING SPANS 118 FT & EAST CNTRLN MAX WING SPANS 118 FT.
  • TWY RC CLSD TO ACFT WITH WINGSPAN GTR THAN 118 FT.
  • DEPT OF AVIATION, ADMIN OFFICE.
  • PCR VALUE: 1100/R/A/W/T
  • PCR VALUE: 1090/R/A/W/T
  • PCR VALUE: 690/R/A/W/T
  • PCR VALUE: 870/R/B/W/T
  • PCR VALUE: 980/R/A/W/T

Nearby airports

KDWH · David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (12 NM)1XS1 · Dunham FieldPrivate (16 NM)T51 · Dan Jones International Airport (17 NM)7TA0 · Field's FieldPrivate (17 NM)TS07 · Dry Creek AirportPrivate (18 NM)TS35 · West Liberty AirportPrivate (19 NM)

Weather is live from the Aviation Weather Center; airport facility data is from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle). For planning and education only; always verify against official sources. Open KIAH in a full tool: METAR/TAF decoder, crosswind calculator, sun & night times, or the density altitude calculator. Planning from here? Find the nearest airport with fuel or an approach, or check whether an IFR alternate is required.

About KIAH

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH · KIAH) is an airport in Houston, TX, at 97 ft MSL. It has 5 runways, the longest 12,001 ft, with a control tower. This page shows live METAR/TAF weather, runway crosswinds, frequencies, navaids, and FAA charts for KIAH, refreshed from the Aviation Weather Center and FAA NASR.

Does KIAH have a control tower?

Yes. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has an operating FAA control tower. Check the Comms & NavAids tab for tower and ground frequencies.

What is the longest runway at KIAH?

George Bush Intercontinental Airport has 5 runways; the longest is 12,001 ft. See the Runways tab for headings, surface, and lighting.

Where is KIAH?

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is in Houston, TX, at an elevation of 97 ft MSL. Coordinates: 29.9844, -95.3414.

Fly out of KIAH often?

Save KIAH as your home base in the SkyReady app for a one-tap Go/No-Go readiness brief, weather alerts, and automatic FAA currency — free to log.

Get the appBeta