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United Airlines opens its new Terminal B North Concourse at Houston's Bush Airport on Thursday, wrapping up a major phase of the $2.6 billion redevelopment.

Why it matters: After roughly two years of construction, the new concourse replaces decades-old facilities and gates and adds modern amenities and more space for travelers.

The big picture: The new three-level, 765,000-square-foot concourse features 22 gates designed to accommodate larger aircrafts. 

United says the transformation will increase the number of passengers it can accommodate on peak travel dates in 2026 by 40% compared with 2023.

Zoom in: The new concourse also features a 54,000-square-foot United Club — the largest airline lounge in the Americas, per the airline — just short of a standard American football field. 

The project also includes improvements to Terminal B South, including accommodations for larger regional aircraft and additional jet bridges.

Other upgrades include baggage-tracking technology, jet bridges for every United flight in North Concourse, expanded curbside and roadway capacity, a ground-level check-in area and a traffic bypass between Terminals B and A.

What they're saying: "This is a really important market for us," United CEO Scott Kirby tells Axios. "We've been here a long time, and it's important to invest in it and make it better for customers."

Kirby said the project will help United grow in Houston while reducing congestion. "The most common complaint I would get about Houston when I come down here a lot is the traffic and the lines."

Phil Griffith, United's vice president of airport operations at its Houston hub, tells Axios the new gates will allow the airline to serve more destinations with larger planes.

"The frequency of flights will grow, and the route destinations will grow as well," Griffith said.

State of play: United continues to expand in Houston, where it serves 65 international destinations, including 57 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The airline is adding service to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico, later this month and Cartagena, Colombia, in December.

It also plans service to Caracas, Venezuela, in January and to resume flights to Chihuahua, Mexico, next spring, pending government approval.

Follow the money: United says it has invested more than $3.5 billion at Bush Airport since 2015.

The $2.6 billion Terminal B transformation is funded through a combination of airline and city investments.

What's next: The lobby and all the restaurants in the refreshed terminal will be open by the new year.

United also plans to continue upgrading Terminal B South, including adding jet bridges and improving passenger amenities, per Griffith. 

Travelers should see relief from the road construction and traffic rerouting that have accompanied the project, he said.

United opens new Terminal B concourse at Houston's Bush Airport

Terminal B North Concourse features 22 gates and the largest airline lounge in the Americas.

Bright airport terminal lounge with tall glass walls, blue and orange seats, white pillars, and a modern ceiling with hanging light tubes; planes visible outside.

The new North Terminal replaces facilities dating back to 1969. Photo: Courtesy of United Airlines. 

United Airlines opens its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Terminal B North Concourse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/12/01/united-airlines-terminal-renovation-plan" data-vars-content-id="40501917-65eb-472a-b19b-732aa8961f09" data-vars-headline="United opens new Terminal B concourse at Houston&#x27;s Bush Airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/12/01/united-airlines-terminal-renovation-plan" target="_self">Terminal B North Concourse</a> at Houston&#x27;s Bush Airport on Thursday, wrapping up a major phase of the $2.6 billion redevelopment.Why it matters: After roughly two years of construction, the new concourse replaces decades-old facilities and gates and adds modern amenities and more space for travelers.

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The Houston Rockets open their 2026-27 season Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center.

Why it matters: The Rockets enter the season with high expectations after making the playoffs the past two years but losing in the first round both times.

Catch up quick: Houston finished with an identical 52-30 regular-season record in each of the past two seasons. Last year, the Rockets placed fifth in the Western Conference. 

The team has made significant strides under coach Ime Udoka, who is entering his fourth season.

"We're not here to just make the first round; we want to make some real noise," Udoka said at the team's media day last month. "Everybody's hungrier for that and to take the next step and not plateau."

State of play: The Rockets showed promise in the preseason, finishing 2-1.

Zoom in: The team returns with 38-year-old superstar Kevin Durant, rising stars Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, and veteran Fred VanVleet, who missed last season with a knee injury.

Young players Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard are also looking to build on last season.

What's next: The Rockets host the Mavericks at 7:30pm Wednesday at Toyota Center before facing the San Antonio Spurs, who reached the NBA Finals last season, in Austin on Friday.

Houston Rockets open NBA season with hopes of longer playoff run

After two consecutive first-round playoff exits, the Rockets are looking to make a deeper run this season.

Basketball game in a packed arena: Houston Rockets in red jerseys guard an Oklahoma City Thunder player in blue as they leap for a layup near the rim; bright scoreboard and arena lights loom overhead.

The Rockets won 116-89 over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a preseason game. Photo: Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

The Houston Rockets open their 2026-27 season Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Rockets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/23/houston-rockets-los-angeles-lakers-nba-playoffs" data-vars-content-id="c7861b3e-5f9c-4f3a-88e0-f8a74908e088" data-vars-headline="Houston Rockets open NBA season with hopes of longer playoff run" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/23/houston-rockets-los-angeles-lakers-nba-playoffs" target="_self">The Rockets</a> enter the season with high expectations after making the playoffs the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="past two years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/21/houston-rockets-kevin-durant-2025-26-season" data-vars-content-id="c7861b3e-5f9c-4f3a-88e0-f8a74908e088" data-vars-headline="Houston Rockets open NBA season with hopes of longer playoff run" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/21/houston-rockets-kevin-durant-2025-26-season" target="_self">past two years</a> but losing in the first round both times.

Sports

Popular Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung appears to be headed to Houston's Galleria, according to a new state filing.

Why it matters: The arrival would mark Din Tai Fung's first Texas location, bringing the chain's famous soup dumplings to Houston.

Driving the news: A filing registered Friday with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation outlines a $1 million renovation project at 5115 Westheimer Road.

The project would combine six existing spaces into one larger, nearly 16,800-square-foot space.

The filing identifies the space now occupied by Japanese restaurant Nobu as the main area affected by the renovation. It's unclear what's happening with Nobu, and the company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The intrigue: The chain was among the most-requested restaurants in a DiningOut Houston reader survey earlier this year.

Din Tai Fung has not formally announced a Houston location and the Houston location is not on the website. The company did not respond to Axios' request for comment. 

What's next: Construction is expected to begin in February 2027 and wrap up in June 2027, per the filing.

Zoom out: The company operates restaurants in California, New York and several other states.

When a location opened in the Phoenix area, it caused a frenzy as getting a table was nearly impossible.

The bottom line: We're hoping for soup dumplings, cucumber salad and chocolate and mochi bao in our near future. 

Scoop: Din Tai Fung plans Houston Galleria location

The popular Taiwanese restaurant is known for its soup dumplings.

Busy professional kitchen with chefs in white uniforms and masks at a marble counter. Stacked steamers and dough on the counter; dark tiled walls and a digital screen in the background.

Din Tai Fung in Times Square. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Popular Taiwanese restaurant chain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Din Tai Fung" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/08/din-tai-fung-review-worth-wait" data-vars-content-id="dc931afd-ee3c-4575-9177-27f3183cba18" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Din Tai Fung plans Houston Galleria location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/08/din-tai-fung-review-worth-wait" target="_self">Din Tai Fung</a> appears to be headed to Houston&#x27;s Galleria, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state filing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2027004326" data-vars-content-id="dc931afd-ee3c-4575-9177-27f3183cba18" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Din Tai Fung plans Houston Galleria location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2027004326" target="_blank">new state filing</a>.Why it matters: The arrival would mark Din Tai Fung&#x27;s first Texas location, bringing the chain&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="famous soup dumplings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/americas-most-successful-restaurant-chain-feeds-a-dumpling-frenzy-a9a94bde" data-vars-content-id="dc931afd-ee3c-4575-9177-27f3183cba18" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Din Tai Fung plans Houston Galleria location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/americas-most-successful-restaurant-chain-feeds-a-dumpling-frenzy-a9a94bde" target="_blank">famous soup dumplings</a> to Houston.

Food and Drink

The redesigned Terminal B North Concourse at Bush Airport is flashy, spacious and full of new amenities.

Why it matters: United Airlines designed the upgraded space to make travel more comfortable, featuring Houston restaurants, public art, family-friendly amenities — and the largest airline lounge in the Americas.

Zoom in: Here's a look at what's inside the new concourse, which opens Thursday:

A massive United Club: The 54,000-square-foot lounge seats 800 travelers and features two bars, two buffets, 11 private phone rooms and a 1,350-square-foot outdoor terrace overlooking the airfield.

Houston restaurants: Travelers can grab food from local favorites including Blood Bros. BBQ, B&B Butchers, Rosie Cannonball and Pizaro's Pizza, along with Katz Coffee and Blue Bell ice cream.

Public art: A $16.8 million art program, the largest in Bush Airport's history, features 10 major installations inspired by Houston's bayous, culture and history, per United. 

Family-friendly spaces: A children's play area and sensory room offer places to play, unwind or take a break from the airport's hustle and bustle.

The concourse also has a nursing room and a service animal relief area.

Modern lounge with purple and blue ceiling lighting, colorful abstract panels leaning against the wall, round teal ottomans, and wood-paneled seating along the right; doorway to a dark adjoining room.

Sensory room. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios. 

Inside Bush Airport's new Terminal B

The renovated Terminal B features local restaurants Blood Bros. BBQ, B&B Butchers and Rosie Cannonball.

Airport lounge with circular beige sofa booths, a central table of books, and looping metal light fixtures overhead. Warm wall lighting and large windows overlook the tarmac.

The redesigned Terminal B North Concourse at Bush Airport is flashy, spacious and full of new amenities.Why it matters: United Airlines designed the upgraded space to make travel more comfortable, featuring Houston restaurants, public art, family-friendly amenities — and the largest airline lounge in the Americas.

Superhero fans, assemble! Spider-Man, Black Panther and other Marvel superheroes are taking over the Houston Museum of Natural Science this winter.

The big picture: The "Marvel: The Exhibition — Universe of Super Heroes" will bring more than 150 original artifacts, including costumes, movie props and comic book art, to Houston starting Dec. 19. 

Zoom in: The exhibition, coming to Houston after a successful run in Europe, explores more than 85 years of Marvel history, from its comic book beginnings to its blockbuster movies.

It'll feature drawings and artwork by legendary creators, including  Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, along with behind-the-scenes sketches, costumes and props from Marvel films.

Interactive installations and immersive sets will bring the Marvel universe to life, with life-size figures of Black Panther, Hulk and other characters for photo opportunities.

What they're saying: "Whether you're a lifelong comic enthusiast or bringing the whole family for an unforgettable day, stepping through our doors directly into these immersive and captivating worlds of our favorite Super Heroes unleashes a pure surge of nostalgia, wonder, and imagination," HMNS spokesperson Harry Hogeland said in a statement.

What's next: Public tickets will be available Oct. 26.

Marvel superheroes are taking over Houston's science museum

The exhibit will feature more than 150 original artifacts.

Three Iron Man suits on display in glass cases against a dark backdrop: left a silver War Machine armor, center a red-and-gold Iron Man suit, right another red-gold suit with a glowing chest reactor.

Ironman suits at the exhibit in Madrid. Photo: David Benito/Getty Images

Superhero fans, assemble! Spider-Man, Black Panther and other Marvel superheroes are taking over the Houston Museum of Natural Science this winter.The big picture: The &quot;Marvel: The Exhibition — Universe of Super Heroes&quot; will bring more than 150 original artifacts, including costumes, movie props and comic book art, to Houston starting Dec. 19.

Shafaq Patel

Featured stories

Scoop: Din Tai Fung plans Houston Galleria location

Inside Bush Airport's new Terminal B

United opens new Terminal B concourse at Houston's Bush Airport

Houston Rockets open NBA season with hopes of longer playoff run

Marvel superheroes are taking over Houston's science museum