HOUSTON – Tuesday marks a major milestone for travelers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport as the highly anticipated Terminal D-West Pier officially opens.
The 160,000-square-foot expansion adds six new gates and state-of-the-art amenities, all part of a $1.458 billion redevelopment aimed at making Houston a global leader in international travel.
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The new D-West Pier is designed to elevate the passenger experience, featuring a copper-colored ceiling inspired by sunlight filtered through Houston’s live oak trees and a 380-foot-long LED Feature Wall. The new terminal also highlights the city’s artistic spirit, with commissioned works from Houston-based artists that celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of the Bayou City.
Upgrading the Traveler Experience
With the opening of Terminal D-West, passengers can expect a more comfortable journey through the airport.
The new pier offers over 500 seating options, complete with charging stations, as well as family-friendly amenities like a Mother’s Room, Sensory Room, and Child’s Play Area. Additionally, the terminal features restrooms equipped with smart technology, designed to make traveling more convenient.
“I’m super excited to be here today because of the fact that we’re opening the new D-West Pier, which includes six new international-capable gates for the airport. It also includes multiple new restaurants,” Jim Szczesniak, Airport Director for Houston Airports, said. “We’ve got new restrooms. We’ve got a sensory room. We’ve got adult-changing facilities. From a seating perspective, we’ve got all brand-new seatings in a variety of sizes. And then also, all those seats have in-seat power, so again, very customer-friendly amenities in the terminal.”
Expanding Houston’s Global Footprint
The new Terminal D-West Pier isn’t just about convenience—it’s about positioning Houston as a premier destination for international travel.
With six gates capable of handling wide-body aircraft, Bush Airport is well-prepared to meet increasing demand from both airlines and passengers.
“This is a really game-changing piece of infrastructure for the city because it’s really world-class,” Szczesniak added. “When people enter this facility, they’re going to be wowed. I mean, architecturally, it’s fantastic. Customer-friendly-wise, it’s fantastic. So it’s a really good welcome to the city for a lot of folks that are going to be arriving here.”
Looking Ahead
While the Terminal D-West Pier is now open, even more improvements are on the horizon. In November, a new lane will open to ease traffic entering the airport.
In December, the new international arrivals curb will be unveiled, followed by the grand opening of a brand-new international terminal for United Airlines in January. The terminal’s expansion will include 11 lanes on the upper level for drop-offs and 8 lanes on the bottom for pick-ups, designed to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the passenger experience.
As Bush Airport continues to expand, this project plays a crucial role in positioning Houston as a world-class global hub. With enhanced infrastructure, new amenities, and a focus on passenger comfort, Houston is set to soar in the world of international travel.
Learn more about the expansion by clicking here.