United's southern hub plus a Southwest stronghold — flights to Houston stay cheap
Houston has two airports: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), United's major hub and a key Latin America gateway, and Hobby (HOU), where Southwest runs a large operation. The split keeps domestic fares competitive, and United's hub status means plentiful nonstops nationwide. Spirit and Frontier add budget pressure at IAH, so travelers who compare both airports routinely find sub-$150 roundtrips from across the country.
January through February and the hot, humid stretch of August through September are cheapest. Avoid spring rodeo season and major energy-industry conferences.
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Which Houston airport is cheaper to fly into?
Hobby (HOU) is often cheaper when Southwest serves your route, while Bush Intercontinental (IAH) offers more nonstops and budget options via Spirit and Frontier. Houston travelers should always compare both airports, as fares can differ by $50 or more depending on the carrier mix.
When are flights to Houston cheapest?
January-February and the August-September heat are the cheapest windows, with roundtrip fares from the coasts and Midwest dropping to $120-170. Houston is more of a business market, so leisure-light periods and midweek departures consistently offer the best value.
Does United or Southwest have cheaper Houston flights?
Southwest is typically cheapest into Hobby with free bags included, while United's IAH hub provides the widest network and competitive fares thanks to volume. Spirit and Frontier undercut both at IAH, so the cheapest option depends on your specific origin city.
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