Houston weather prompts ground stop at Bush Airport — check flight status and delays

(HOUSTON) Travelers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport are seeing mostly normal operations after a turbulent August marked by a severe-weather ground stop and a separate nationwide halt triggered by a United Airlines technology outage. As of August 22, the Federal Aviation Administration reports routine delays of about 15 minutes or less, and no active ground stops. Still, airlines warn that pop-up storms can disrupt schedules with little warning, so passengers should keep checking their flight status before leaving for the airport and again at the gate.

Ground stop timeline and airline response

On August 6, United Airlines ordered a nationwide ground stop — including at George Bush Intercontinental Airport — when its Unimatic system (software that handles key flight information) failed. The United Airlines ground stop began at 5:12 p.m. and lifted just after 9 p.m. that evening once the issue was fixed.

United said flights would resume, but delays could linger while crews and aircraft got back in place. The carrier also offered waivers for customers affected by the outage:

• Waived change fees and fare differences for travelers who rebooked on United-operated flights departing between August 6 and August 16, 2025, in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.

Just two days earlier, on August 4, strong thunderstorms led to temporary ground stops at both Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Hobby Airport. Those holds lifted after the weather moved out, but delays persisted as airlines worked through a backlog of aircraft and crews. The weather pattern continued at times into the month, causing periodic start-and-stop operations in Houston.

By August 22, the FAA listed IAH as operating normally, with no active ground stops and typical arrival and departure waits of 15 minutes or less, mainly tied to traffic volume and routine weather. You can verify the latest airport status on the FAA’s official delay portal at https://www.fly.faa.gov.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the quick recovery from both events shows the value of faster technology fixes and clearer communication between airlines, airports, and passengers, even when storms or system glitches stack delays across the day.

Responses and on-the-ground assistance:

• United Airlines: Focused on restoring regular schedules and helping passengers rebook after the outage.
• Houston Airports: Added customer service support during disruptions — staff helped travelers through long lines, assisted with lost items, and arranged ground transportation during extended evening delays.
• Terminal E: Flagged as a stress point for international arrivals, where longer processing times sometimes followed the early August events.

What travelers should do now

Passengers can cut stress — and missed flights — by taking a few practical steps that fit this month’s pattern at George Bush Intercontinental Airport:

1. Check flight status frequently
   • Use your airline’s app or website and the airport’s official site: https://www.fly2houston.com/iah.
   • Refresh often on day of travel; schedules can shift fast when storms pop up.
2. Build in extra time
   • Arrive earlier than usual, especially in the afternoon and evening when summer storms in Houston are most common.
3. Review United rebooking rules if affected
   • If you flew United and were affected by the August 6 outage, the carrier’s fee and fare waiver applied to eligible United-operated flights through August 16, 2025 (same cabin and city pair).
4. Keep essentials in your carry-on
   • Medication, chargers, baby items — these help if your flight is delayed or you misconnect.
5. If you miss a connection
   • Speak with airline agents at the gate or via the app’s chat.
   • Ask about same-day options and whether you can be confirmed on the next available flight.

Additional recommendations from the airport:

• Check road conditions and parking before you go — heavy rain slows traffic around IAH.
• Use rideshare pick-up zones.
• Look for airport volunteers and customer service agents in busy areas when delays strike.

Impact on international passengers

Houston is a major United hub and a key international gateway, so even short disruptions can ripple through global flights. When a ground stop, storm system, or tech issue hits:

• Long-haul arrivals can bunch up.
• Baggage belts can slow.
• Lines at passport control may grow.

Airport officials said some international passengers saw longer waits at Terminal E after the early August events. That can still happen on stormy days.

Recommendations for international travelers:

• Plan extra time to clear inspection and recheck bags.
• Keep passport and required documents handy (front pocket is best).
• If you have a tight domestic connection after landing, consider asking your airline for a later flight.
• Families: stay together in line and keep boarding passes ready for recheck.
• Pack medication in carry-on bags to cover longer-than-planned arrival processes.

For outbound international trips:

• Watch your departure gate closely — weather delays can push boarding with little notice.
• If your flight cancels and you must rebook, seats on the next day’s departures can fill quickly at a hub like IAH.
• Rebooking through the airline’s app while waiting to speak with an agent often helps secure options faster.

Houston Airports’ leadership emphasized hands-on help when terminals get crowded. General Manager Cliff Price highlighted staff efforts to guide passengers during the August disruptions and to support those who were stranded late into the evening. The airport also points travelers to amenities that can ease longer waits, including food options, phone charging, and ground transport services after hours.

Looking ahead — trends and takeaways

Aviation analysts note two clear trends:

• Gulf Coast weather during the summer and early fall will continue to test Houston’s flight schedules.
• The Unimatic outage at United Airlines underscores why carriers are accelerating technology upgrades.

VisaVerge.com reports that major airlines and airports are investing more in backup systems and playbooks to help keep planes and crews moving when systems fail or storms ground flights across an entire region.

For now, the message is simple: the airport is open, and flights are moving, but weather remains a wild card. Check, re-check, and stay flexible.

Key facts from this month:
– The United technology failure on August 6 triggered a nationwide ground stop that hit IAH; it ran from 5:12 p.m. to just after 9 p.m.
– United waived fees and fare differences for eligible rebookings on United-operated flights through August 16, 2025.
– Thunderstorms on August 4 led to temporary ground stops at both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport, with delays that lasted for hours afterward.
– As of August 22, the FAA lists IAH as normal operations with 15 minutes or less in typical delays and no active ground stops.

Passengers can track airport status on the FAA portal at https://www.fly.faa.gov and get airline-specific updates using carrier apps and alerts. For terminal maps, parking, and live flight boards at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, visit https://www.fly2houston.com/iah.

With weather still in the forecast and the memory of this month’s events fresh, a little extra time and frequent refreshes can make the difference between a smooth trip and a missed connection.